Sleipner opens its largest subsidiary to date

Sleipner Italia consists of a 900sq m warehouse and modern offices in Viareggio. The news was announced at the start of the 2020 Genoa Boat Show.

“In spite of the uncertain outlook caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, we have steamed forward on the plans announced earlier this year to continue to expand our international footprint,” says Ronny Skauen, Sleipner Motor Group CEO. “Through the new Italian branch, we will be able to cooperate closer with the Italian boat industry and offer a focused and dedicated factory-direct, local engineering support.

“We are also building a dedicated training facility in Viareggio,” he adds.

Sleipner says it is looking to double its turnover in Italy within the next few years. “Through the years we have had multiple distributors in Italy, and our products have been the undisputed market leader in high-end thrusters for a very long time,” says Skauen.

“However, with all the new products including new and progressive technologies that we are about to launch, closer engineering cooperation is necessary for seamless and cost-efficient integration in modern boats of both manoeuvring and stabilisation products. This requires a new level of expertise with an undivided focus and motivation that we were unable to offer in the past.”

Sleipner has recruited marine industry veteran Federico Verona to lead the team in Italy. “Federico understands the Italian market, but moreover, he understands the modern and Scandinavian business models that Sleipner operates by, where team building, transparency, honesty and integrity are the key operators,” says Skauen.

Sleipner has recruited marine industry veteran Federico Verona to lead the team in Italy. “Federico understands the Italian market, but moreover, he understands the modern and Scandinavian business models that Sleipner operates by, where team building, transparency, honesty and integrity are the key operators,” says Skauen.

In the meantime, Sleipner is gearing up to launch two major product lines in 2021, including a new series of electrical thrusters that will eventually replace a large part of the company’s current thruster line.

”Both projects are undergoing tests the next months to be ready for the market in 2021,” Skauen says.

The new thrusters incorporate the first electric motors designed specifically for marine thruster use and are lighter and more compact than previous models, as well as waterproof, ignition protected, and equipped with an integrated proportional controller as standard.

Headquartered in Norway, Sleipner makes high-end thrusters and stabilising systems for recreational boats, yachts and commercial vessels up to 50m (160ft). Its Side-Power products are sold worldwide through a network of subsidiaries and distributors.

Sleipner Group employs around 170 people with an annual turnover of approximately €50m in 2019.