Global engine expertise, regionally anchored

MWB Power experts have also lent a helping hand with heritage trains like the Pressnitz Valley Railway.

One of the projects implemented in Bremerhaven was maintenance of the heavy-lift ship Svenja, which was completed in May. As many as twelve employees were involved at any one time in overhauling the enormous MAN-9L58/64-CD engine and its cylinder heads. “That was a huge project,” says Holst. But working on the Wes Amelie in 2017 was one of the most exciting jobs for him so far. In collaboration with shipping company Wessels Reederei, repair shipyard German Dry Docks and engine manufacturer MAN, they converted the container ship’s engine, which was originally designed for heavy oil, for operation with liquefied natural gas (LNG). “That was a world first for making shipping more eco-friendly,” recalls Holst. “We replaced the 9L48/60 with a 9L51/60/DF, which can be operated as a dual-fuel engine with different types of fuel.”

Major challenges of other kinds are a daily occurrence in train repair, where MWB Power’s waitlist is full of the engines of freight railcars, museum trains and locomotives used in local public transport. “They call on us especially when they need customised repair solutions for older trains,” says Curia. “We’ve worked on the Pressnitz Valley Railway and on a variety of heritage Deutsche Bahn trains that are up to 50 years old.” He is quick to point out that, despite the age of the trains, the highly experienced MWB Power company works with state-of-the-art technology. “We’re in the process of transforming from specialists in diesel engines in traditional series to experts in modern engine types. Of course, this also calls for the corresponding training courses for our employees and the acquisition of special tools and the necessary software.”

Jörn Holst (left) and Frank Curia manage MWB Power together.

In light of the company’s change in strategic focus, it is only fitting that MWB Power is also striking out on new paths in social media. For example, Power Foxy – a fox who, according to his title, is responsible for the Special Operations division – is a recent addition to the company website. “Our new employee is active in social media and reports on his experiences and engine work in the workshop and aboard ships,” says Curia with a wink, highlighting the friendly marketing mascot’s field of activity.

The MWB Power service package is rounded off by the LED lighting technology department, which joined the company portfolio nine years ago and builds remote-controlled LED lighting systems for energy-efficient illumination of container terminals and industrial and event halls. “That might not initially sound like a good fit for our engine expertise. But it does make more sense when you consider that our activities also included completing combined heat and power plants from the 1980s to the 2010s. Of course, the resulting electrical skills and sales activities have come in handy when developing the LED lighting technology,” says Holst. And then he shifts up another gear to the company’s core area of expertise – engine maintenance. “What makes us so attractive to our customers is the fact that we’re not tied to any one brand, but can repair engines from different manufacturers – anywhere around the world.” (bre)