Japan's Nakashima Propeller joins Hamburg's Becker Marine Systems

15 April 2021

World's leading shipbuilding company and Japanese firm expand strategic partnership

Japan's Nakashima Propeller has acquired a majority stake in the Hamburg-based shipbuilding supplier Becker Marine Systems, a press release said Monday (April 12, 2021). The two family-owned companies are now preparing to expand their partnership after decades of co-operation. The takeover is likely to strengthen their joint position in the global maritime industry. Nakashima Propeller is a world market leader of marine propellers while Becker Marine Systems is a leading manufacturer of high-performance rudders and maritime energy-saving solutions. No details of the terms have been disclosed.

Managing directors of Becker Marine Systems remain on board

Commenting on the takeover, Dirk Lehmann and Henning Kuhlmann, Managing Directors of Becker Marine Systems, said: “We have come to know Nakashima Propeller as a much respected and reliable partner through decades of co-operation and because we are expert suppliers in the area in front of and behind the propeller with well-known products such as the Becker Mewis Duct® and the Becker Rudder family, the co-operation with the globally leading propeller manufacturer is, of course, a perfect fit.” Lehmann and Kuhlmann will remain in their positions after the takeover. The two companies now aim to offer a co-ordinated set of innovative technologies in both the construction and retrofit sectors.

Expanded range planned

Commenting on the takeover, Takayoshi Nakashima, President of Nakashima Propeller, said: "Together we can make good use of the product portfolios that complement each other well in the aft ship area." Both companies also have proven flow simulation departments ("computational fluid dynamics"), which are to be used more efficiently as a result of the takeover.

tn/sb/pb