VIKING Life-Saving Equipment celebrates opening of new boat factory in Arendal, Norway

VIKING Life-Saving Equipment is strengthening its position in boat manufacturing by investing in a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Arendal, Norway. The new building covers 3,400 sqm and is designed to meet requirements for high-end freefall boats in the offshore segment and for special boats in the defense segment.

As the market leader in lifeboats and fast rescue boats for the commercial shipping, offshore, and defense segments, VIKING has existing boat manufacturing facilities in China, Greece, and Norway. The new investment ensures the company is well-placed to strengthen its position within its target markets.

Odd Ivar Støle, Sr. Director Manufacturing, VIKING Norway and Greece, commented:

“Our new facility allows us to drive our innovation agenda and expand our product portfolio even further. From a strategic shoreside location, we will have all the capabilities we need for developing and engineering the boats as well as thoroughly testing them at sea.”

With 175 employees at its main location in Arendal and a total of 320 employees working at six other locations, VIKING has a significant presence in Norway. Støle expects the new factory to further establish the company’s Arendal base as its center of excellence for lifeboats and davits.

“With the new facilities, we will improve efficiency and the working environment for our employees,” he said. “The building is also energy efficient due to the use of energy wells in the ground, which will reduce energy consumption by up to 70% compared with the previous factory. We are very happy to be able to utilize this excellent building.”

About VIKING

VIKING Life-Saving Equipment A/S is a global leader in maritime, offshore and fire safety solutions.

We manufacture, market and service safety and firefighting equipment for passenger and cargo ships, offshore installations, offshore wind turbines, fishing vessels, navies, helicopter services, fire departments and leisure yachts around the world.

VIKING’s products protect passengers and crew on many of the world’s largest cruise liners and cargo ships, and we help to ensure safe conditions for workers on some of the world’s most advanced offshore platforms.

We also enable shipowners and owners/operators of offshore installations to focus on their business by managing their service tasks and ensuring the regulatory compliance of all their products and solutions.

VIKING is a privately held corporation, founded in 1960. In recent years, VIKING acquired the Norwegian company Norsafe, whose lifeboats have been used around the world since 1904, and Drew Marine’s FSR division, one of the world’s three largest providers of Marine Fire Service.

Headquartered in Esbjerg, Denmark, VIKING products are manufactured in Denmark, Norway, Bulgaria, Greece, China, and Thailand. www.viking-life.com

Questions may be directed to:

Sr. Director Manufacturing, Norway and Greece, Odd Ivar Støle, tel. +47 488 93017

Managing Director, Norway & UK, Dag Songedal, tel. +47 913 86468.

Group Communication Manager, VIKING Group, Malte V. Eggers, tel. +45 2097 5809