Interview: ZF Marine’s Matthias Benz
One year in to his tenure as head of ZF Group's marine propulsion business, Matthias Benz explains his recent moves to consolidate production and sales and shine a spotlight on transmission technologies of tomorrow…
ZF Marine, who have transmissions installed on roughly half the superyachts afloat, is about to ramp up their visibility in an effort to build their brand recognition. “Transmissions are like underwear: Each yacht has one, but no one talks about it,” Matthias Benz, head of ZF Marine propulsion systems tells me.
He has a point: transmission makes and models are usually left off published yacht specifications, despite the fundamental role the machinery plays in transmitting power from engine to water. And Benz, now one year into his role, wants to change that.
When he took over as head of ZF Marine in January 2012, the transmission and propulsion arm of the global ZF Group was building and selling three lines from a across a broad global network with a footprint that spanned two continents. In the last 12 months, Benz has headed up a streamlining and consolidation of the marine business. It’s been, he says, “definitely an interesting time.”
Matthias Benz, Executive Vice President Industrial Technology, Head of Marine Propulsion Systems at ZF, with the latest ZF 5300 PTI hybrid-ready transmission for superyachts
Headquartered in Padua, Italy (commercial and superyacht transmissions are produced at a facility in Friedrichshafen, Germany) ZF Marine has 1,430 employees in 14 locations worldwide and a €278 million turnover in 2011. In his first year, Benz merged 3 lines (commercial, fast boat and pleasure) into two: Commercial (which includes superyachts) and recreational. He’s refocused the global footprint, bringing their technical and service capabilities back within a 500km radius between Padua and Friedrichshafen and transferring the US R&D work from Seattle to Italy.
Despite the current yachting climate, Benz sees ZF’s focus on hybrid-ready engineering and advances in electrical control as key to the future of ZF’s marine business. “The marine industrial business is a challenging environment right now, but I’m not afraid of anything. Our new setup reflects the closer link we have to our automotive business, which we think, in a trend towards more mechatronic and electronically controlled products, shows we’re well prepared to master these challenges. Megatrends like increased environmental regulation drive innovation for us. To me, the challenge is simply to meet the challenges quickly, react and win.”
Benz uses the words “nimble” and “fast” frequently in our chat. It’s clearly part of his approach to business. Now, with the first year under his belt, Benz is approaching the challenge of getting ZF’s name firmly into the hearts and minds of the superyacht market.
“In Europe, when yards and project managers approach the question of propulsion, they tend to go to the engine manufacturers first, who will then typically make a recommendation on transmissions,” Benz tells me. “But interestingly, in the emerging markets we work in in Turkey, Asia, Brazil and elsewhere, clients ask for the brand. They’re requesting ZF Marine transmissions directly.”
Benz wants to see that level of brand recognition within the superyacht sector, and he’s prepared to prove his products are the best. “ZF transmissions are incredibly quiet and have low levels of vibration. We have the testing benches to prove it. As far as I know, we’re the only transmission manufacturer able to demonstrate the quiet running of our machinery in this way. And as we know, low noise and vibration is a very key consideration for superyacht clients.”
With the marine propulsion business integrated within ZF Group’s Industrial Technology Division, opportunities for technology transfer from ZF’s broad automotive and aeronautical research are clear. ZF’s automotive division, for example, has developed active mounts for engines and transmissions. Fluid magnetised in an electrically generated field within the mounts provide stiffening and dampening according to need. It’s technology found on the high-end sports cars, for instance.
Benz suggests this type of technology could potentially be adapted for superyacht clients. “I challenged the engineers here, asking them if it’s something we might look at for the superyacht industry,” Benz says. “I think that’s something I can bring to this business.”
Along with his focus on strengthening sales worldwide, developing a future product roadmap and streamlining operations, Benz is keen to see ZF’s brand achieve best-in-class status within the superyacht market. “We’re already doing well in the superyacht sector, but few in the industry seem to recognize us for the role we play. I’m looking forward to changing that perception. We have a lot to contribute.”
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