Wärtsilä inaugurated its West Coast workshop in Seattle with a customer appreciation lunch on May 20, 2014. The event was held in the new facility located just minutes away from the Port of Seattle. Guests were invited to tour and learn about the comprehensive portfolio of services that Wärtsilä provides.
The occasion opened with Frank Donnelly, Managing Director, Wärtsilä North America, Inc., welcoming the group and Walter Reggente, Director, Service Unit USA, highlighted that the relocation was made in efforts to be closer to the customer; “Wärtsilä saw the need to offer easier access and enhanced logistics support to our client base here in the Northwest. This workshop has an improved layout which allows for convenient unloading of equipment in addition to its close proximity to the large shipyards that are involved with repowering vessels to LNG.”
During the event, guests were invited to see the full capabilities available in the new 775 sq meter workshop and office area. On display were cylinder head reconditioning processes, a Wärtsilä propeller, Wärtsilä EnergoProFin models as well as marine and power generation customer reference cases.
“This latest workshop reinforces Wärtsilä’s West Coast presence, which includes a facility in Poulsbo, Washington that specializes in propeller repair,” says Bryan Rutter, Managing Director, Wärtsilä Defense, Inc.
On the day of the inauguration, a crab boil lunch was hosted for guests in celebration of the new facility. During individual tours, attendees discussed the diverse overhaul capabilities available in the Seattle workshop for all engine types in the Wärtsilä portfolio.
“We look forward to promoting the expert knowledge base that our service engineers, located here in Seattle, have in LNG technology, power generation and engine components and feel confident that Wärtsilä will continue to provide industry-leading service to our customers located along the West Coast,” stated Walter Reggente.
Wärtsilä established its U.S. operations in 1979 through its subsidiary Wärtsilä North America, Inc., today headquartered in Houston, TX. Nine regional offices are located across the U.S. and include Wärtsilä Defense, Inc. supporting U.S. government marine vessels. Wärtsilä serves the energy, marine and defense markets in the U.S.