Wartsila has announced that it will invest in a new next-generation innovation, research and production centre in Vaasa, Finland — the latest step in its ‘Smart Marine and Smart Energy’ vision.
The ‘Smart Technology Hub’ is due to be operational by 2020 and is an initiative to research smart technologies and improve efficiencies in the maritime sector.
The company will invest $95.5 million in the Smart Technology Hub, the total cost of which is estimated at $230 million, which includes office and factory buildings, logistics and infrastructure.
Wartsila’s functions and personnel in Vaasa will move to the new hub, as well as all the logistics and workshop operations.
Read more about smart technology and collaboration in the maritime sector by reading a Port Technology technical paper
It will also give Wartsila’s suppliers and partners to collaborate as the company continues its transformation into a technology services company.
Wärtsilä makes a EUR 83 million investment in research & development. #SmartTechnologyHub, a next-generation innovation and production centre will be built in Vaasa, #Finland. #SmartMarine #SmartEnergy https://t.co/bbrgcFKZOU pic.twitter.com/Io2vnaNsrO
— Wärtsilä Corporation (@wartsilacorp) August 21, 2018
Jaakko Eskola, Wartsila’s President and CEO, said: “The Vaasa Smart Technology Hub represents another generational shift for us – it will bring Wärtsilä's expertise into a whole new realm.”
Hannu Mantymaa, Director of R&D and Engineering at Wartsila, stated: “The Smart Technology Hub will become an important part of Wärtsilä's worldwide network of centres of expertise.
“By sharing what we have learned in our various units, we will be able to provide our customers with even better products and services.
“We will develop processes at the Vaasa Smart Technology Hub, which we will be able to deploy in other locations.”
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