While the rest of the world is seemingly in contraction mode, and positive forecasts regarding the maritime industry are few and far between, one marine electronics major is in expansion mode, planting the seeds now and perhaps raising the flag for the inevitable rebound to come.
Raytheon Anschütz announced last month that it is expanding its presence in the U.S. navigation systems market with the opening of its San Diego, Calif.-based operations in January 2012. Frank Christophersen, US Vice President Sales, was tapped to lead the effort, and in talking with Maritime Reporter he explained.
“The timing is interesting, because the economy is not so great, and the industry is down,” Christophersen said. “From our perspective, it’s the best time to set this up, to prepare and get strong for when times get better.”
“Raytheon of course has some military products and is already serving the U.S. Navy. There is a lot of synergy with what Raytheon is doing, and with Anschütz commercial business,” Christophersen added. “The Military and the Coast Guard is moving toward a more “off-the-shelf” approach. On the commercial side of the business is, of course, the U.S. based shipowners that are building overseas. Even though the ships are being built overseas, the decisions are made here, the specifications are made here. And then, of course, after they are delivered, they often call on the U.S.”
The business area will be co-located at Raytheon’s established facility, dedicated to the development and delivery of naval and maritime systems and technology, giving the expanded company a deep pool from which to draw talent. In addition, though, Christophersen did admit that there are plans to expand with additional personnel.
With the new office, Raytheon Anschütz focuses its capabilities in providing navigation systems and customer support to the U.S. maritime industry. The U.S. office will promote the full portfolio of Raytheon Anschütz’s navigation components and solutions, including gyro compasses, autopilots and steering controls, radars, ECDIS and complete integrated bridge systems for both, new and retrofit projects.
“The office will become America’s new center of navigation excellence, providing the full scope of navigation technology and best-in-class service and support for shipyards and ship owners,” said Christophersen. “We used to be represented in the U.S. by a distributor. From a company perspective, it just didn’t make any sense.”
Backed by Raytheon’s infrastructure, Raytheon Anschütz’s U.S. operation is dedicated to providing customers with direct access to technical advice and pre-sale consultancy regarding IMO recommendations, class requirements and operational needs, as well as lifecycle support services.
Raytheon Anschütz navigation systems are installed on more than 30,000 ships worldwide, making the company to a leader in bridge and navigation systems supply. The opening of the new office signals the return of the navigation business of Raytheon and Anschütz to the USA. For many years, the former companies Anschuetz of America and Raytheon Marine had been established navigation system providers for many shipyards and shipping companies from all over the United States.
(*Reprinted from the February 2012 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News -
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