September 08, 2008

Wärtsilä opens new offices and a workshop in Dubai

Diesel and natural gas engines major Wärtsilä has opened new offices and a workshop in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to meet the rapidly growing market demand from marine and power plant customers in Dubai and in the Gulf in general. It will offer a wide range of services for engines, ships, automation, propellers, thrusters, alignment and in situ machining.

Mr Tage Blomberg group VP of Wärtsilä Services said that "Dubai has become an important business hub in the Middle East and its growth is foreseen to continue in the future. The expansion of Wärtsilä’s portfolio of products and services in that region corresponds to our steadfast commitment to be a one stop shop for industrial and marine customers. Being in Dubai is being where the business needs are. Local presence is of the essence in the service business."

The new offices and workshop are almost triple the combined size of Wärtsilä’s other locations in Dubai. The new workshop is state of the art with regard to layout and equipment. It enables Wärtsilä to handle larger work in terms of dimensions and weight, and using the latest tools and other maintenance equipment.

Wärtsilä has been operating in Dubai since 1992 and already has a number of premises there. The majority of the Wärtsilä employees in Dubai will work in the new premises, amounting to around 310 people. Currently there are some 325 people working for Wärtsilä in Dubai and this number is intended to be increased to at least 400 before the end of 2008 to handle the increased business. Wärtsilä also plans to open an office and workshop in Dubai Maritime City.

Wärtsilä has been expanding its network in the Middle East. A branch office was opened in Fujairah in April 2007 and in Bahrain in January 2008. Further offices are planned in Oman, Yemen, Egypt and Qatar, as well as additional offices and workshops in Dubai.