A new W32 block machining line was introduced at the Vaasa factory in the Summer of 2000, whilst the upgrading of facilities at the Turku factory have included investment in a heat recovery system. Some investment was also made to accommodate the transfer of gas engine manufacturing (the W28SG) from Trollhatten in Sweden to Zwolle in the Netherlands, although for the most part the Dutch factory was already equipped to produce such engines.
1.6 Market Development
The company is seeking to redefine its business, moving from its traditional offering of engines to supplying systems that can provide total energy solutions. This means that as well as supplying main and auxiliary engines Wartsila Power Divisions would like to offer a complete propulsion system, extending to software and monitoring systems (see Section 2.2).
In addition, Wartsila Power Divisions has recognised that environmental factors are becoming increasingly important, not least as a result of obligations set out in new international regulations as well as commercial interests as represented by the demands of cruise operators for vessels emitting less smoke and other pollutants. In response, Wartsila Power Divisions is collaborating with Carnival (the world's biggest cruise liner company) in developing the 'Enviroengine'. The project aims to develop an engine that produces no visible smoke. The 'Enviroengine' is currently being tested and initial results were published in February 2000. The company hopes that it will be ready to be launched onto the market during 2001. Wartsila Power Divisions regards itself as a leader in this field as it has always striven to anticipate and keep below International Maritime Organisation (IMO) regulations in respect of Nox emissions.
