DMC NL kicks off construction of its new premises in Hardinxveld, Netherlands

Damen Marine Components Netherlands (DMC NL) has laid the first foundations for its new premises in Hardinxveld, the Netherlands. With capacity for approximately 80 people, the new buildings will be used for both offices and production purposes, Damen said in its news release.

With construction of the new buildings beginning as the first foundation pile was driven into the ground on the site of DMC former head office, the company’s motivations to build new premises were twofold.

The first reason was to provide one working space for the greater number of personnel resulting from the merger of DMC and Van der Velden Marine Systems (VDVMS) earlier this year. Following the merger, the company has already incorporated the same administration system for all offices, says Damen Marine Components Managing Director Steef Staal. “But soon, with all Dutch personnel working at one location, we can really push forward with our long-term strategy.”

To this end, the new premises will have capacity for the full array of disciplines; namely engineering, supply chain management, sales and support, project management as well as finance, HR and ICT. “And, of course, this also creates the conditions for team spirit and streamlined working relationships.”

Growth potential
The second reason to build the new premises was due to the sheer growth potential that DMC is witnessing. This market expansion includes the portfolios of both the original companies; DMC’s nozzles, and VDVMS’s rudders and steering gear. “However, there is room for growth too,” says Steef Staal. “This is why we are planning to expand our portfolio and introduce some new products.”

In terms of architecture, the design of the new premises will clearly show the company’s connections to the Damen Shipyards Group. However, as Steef Staal explains, it was also important for the company to maintain a certain amount of its own identity. “Yes, we are a Damen company, but that doesn’t mean that all our contracts originate from Damen. On the contrary, over 80% of our turnover is actually non-Damen related.”

About Damen
Gorinchem, Netherlands headquartered Damen Shipyards Group (established in 1927)  incorporates 52 companies worldwide (24 in the Netherlands and 28 — around the world). The Group has 34 owned shipyards (15 of them based in the Netherlands), numerous partner yards and 5 engineering companies. Damen employs some 10,000 people worldwide (3,500 — in the Netherlands), including 1,000 engineers. In total, Damen Shipyards Group has built 6,000 vessels and in 2017 delivered 165 ships. Damen specializes in building tugs, workboats, patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, offshore support vessels, oil-spill response vessels, frigates and mega yachts. Damen also offers a variety of marine components, especially nozzles, (flap-type) rudders, steering gear, anchors, anchor chains and steel works. Besides, the Company provides efficient customer support, financing and complete lifecycle service. In 2017 turnover of the Group reached EUR 2.0 billion.
In addition to ship design and shipbuilding, Damen Shiprepair & Conversion has a worldwide network of 17 repair and conversion yards with dry docks ranging up to 420 x 80 metres. Conversion projects range from adapting vessels to today’s requirements and regulations to the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DSC completes around 1,350 repair and maintenance jobs annually.