Page 54 - NAVAL FORCES 03/2017
P. 54
Interview
Reintjes Expanding Naval Activities
Features almost 90 years. Could you give our readers a for civil vessels like workboats, fast ferries
(All Photos: Reintjes) general idea of the structure, size and turnover and yachts. May I assume that you are now
of your company?
planning to increase your activities also in the
K. Deleroi: In fact, the REINTJES Company
naval sector?
exists already for more than 137 years. The
have been mainly known for our expertise in
foundation was laid with a mechanical work- K. Deleroi:> It is correct that until now we
shop in 1879. Since then the product range has civil marine applications, but our visibility
been extended continuously towards specia- in the naval sector will definitely increase in
list system solutions such as pod and hybrid future.
drives. This is beside our classic portfolio of
marine gearboxes for main drives with power NAFO: Does your current line of gearboxes
ratings from 250 to 30,000 Kilowatts. The meet the more stringent requirements for navy
product range is complete with our industrial vessels?
gearboxes for gas and steam turbines and for K. Deleroi: As we have already been supplying
compressors. several gears to some corvettes with structure
Reintjes employs about 500 staff members and airborne noise requirements, I would
worldwide, with about 400 in our headquar- definitely say: Yes! We are geared up for these
ters in Hameln. In 2016, the Reintjes GmbH kinds of applications and our customers have
turnover was about €50 million, an exception trust in our quality and competence.
compared with previous annual results due to Reintjes has already supplied gears for small
the poor market situation. and medium sized patrol boats, for the Coast-
guard and the Marine Police but also for the
NAFO: You have been the CEO of Reintjes for Navy. Nowadays our focus for naval business
more than two years. What is your background lies on OPVs, corvettes and small frigates.
that qualifies you for this demanding post?
K. Deleroi: I am entirely a marine guy – NAFO: Modern warships do not only have
In an interview, Klaus Deleroi, CEO starting with my military service on board the sophisticated weapon and sensor suites. They
destroyer “Hessen,” then with my marine engi-
also have complex propulsion systems that
of Reintjes, briefed NAVAL FORCES neering study at Delft University, and finally combine diesel engines, gas turbines and
on his company’s plans to increase working in various positions within the marine electric motors. Is Reintjes prepared to build
activities in the naval sector sector, e.g. with MTU Friedrichshafen and gearboxes even for those types of vessel?
MAN Diesel & Turbo. So, I believe I know K. Deleroi: So far we have concentrated our
the markets and their customers; most of all I activities on conventional drive systems. To
NAFO: Mr. Deleroi, let me use this oppor- know their requirements for power trains. combine two diesel engines on one shaft, or
tunity to welcome Reintjes as a new part- combining an electric motor with a diesel en-
ner of NAVAL FORCES. Reintjes has been a NAFO: So far, Reintjes has been known gine on a gearbox, are both possible solutions
renowned producer of marine gearboxes for mainly as a specialist for marine gearboxes for us.
NAFO: How about CODOG or
CODAG (combined diesel or gas)?
K. Deleroi: Perhaps in five or ten years
we will think about even more sophisti-
cated propulsion systems like CODOG
or CODAG, consisting of gas turbines
and diesel engines, maybe even with
a cross-connected gear between the
propeller shafts. Definitely the range
of our hybrid drives will be further
expanded; that means a combination
of electric motors and diesel engines,
e. g. designed as an integral solution.
Thirdly, for the fast patrol craft, our al-
uminium gears will be re-worked and
weight-optimized. Of course, we have
got more plans for the future, but I can-
not go public with these yet.
NAFO: Thank you. NAFO
f A Reintjes inspection team prepares a
delivery for a customer after extensive
testing.
52 NAVAL FORCES III/2017
