DEGRA
WORLD-CLASS WINCHES GOING GREEN
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DEGRA
I PROFILE
Operating for the past 46 years, DEGRA has been involved with the offshore industry since 2008. Keen to retain the ethos of Founders Jan-Piet and Jannie de Graaf, the company has continued to provide a complete and cost-effective service that does not impact the planet. Co-owner & Director of Operations Christien de Graaf and UK Sales Manager Damian Colgan explained more, in an exclusive interview with Inside Marine. Report by Imogen Ward.
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I
nitially building small winches from
Family-founded, future-focused
a shed in the back garden, DEGRA’s
With a need for growth, the company
capabilities began to grow as its
acquired a new facility in Numansdorp,
customers’ needs evolved. “When the offshore market began to rise in 2008, we received larger order requests,
The Netherlands, which led to the addition of a new workforce of 27 talented people. “When our father ran the business,
and we were happy to oblige,” Co-owner &
he preferred to work alone,” Ms de Graaf
Director of Operations Christien de Graaf
explained. “When we took on the business,
said: “but with that commitment came
we thought we would have the same
a need for bigger facilities as well.
vision, but we quickly realised that our suc-
“Up until that point, the company was
cess would be bolstered by a dedicated
based out of the shed behind our house.
workforce. And our father was incredibly
That’s where my mother and father had
supportive of this vision and the directions
their workshop. We cherish that memory
that we were taking the business in. He
very much, and it allowed us to grow up surrounded by the business. After my father became ill, my siblings and I had to chip in to help; that’s really when our presence within the business developed.” “DEGRA is a complete solution provider; from concept and design to sourcing, testing and commissioning,” said UK Sales Manager Damian Colgan. “That’s quite unique, especially when you factor in the recent addition of Hydro-CAN.”
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DEGRA
I PROFILE
believed in our desire to grow the business, and that’s exactly what we did.” DEGRA’s first employee still works at the company today, and that is thanks to the warm and welcoming atmosphere created by the entire de Graaf family – one
A sustainable service
which is extended to the company’s
As a company, DEGRA is built on a founda-
suppliers as well.
tion of fundamental philosophies developed
“Suppliers are a hugely important element of the business, and our relationship with
by Mr de Graaf. Included in this is the desire to be sustainable.
our own chain is what makes us special,”
“It was a way of life for my father, and he
said Ms de Graaf. “That chain was built and
incorporated that into the business when
nurtured over the past 45 years by my
he first established it,”said Ms de Graaf.
mother and father. They strongly believed
“He wanted to manufacture products that
in forming good business relationships and
were high in quality, would stand the test
maintaining them. A lot of companies swap
of time and were connected to nature. He
and change to get the cheapest possible
worked hard to make sure that the cus-
options, but we don’t. We know our sup-
tomers returned, but not the products.”
pliers, we trust them, and we believe in
This way of thinking is still alive within the
the quality of the materials they provide
company today, and is actively promoted
us with.
to all customers. DEGRA’s retrofitting service
“We do, however, always take into account the wishes of our customers; and if they request the use of a specific supplier, we’re always open to that.”
is one such amenity that aims to strengthen this outlook. For those looking to save time and money, repurposing is the perfect choice. For a new product, customers are generally looking
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at an average lead time in the market of
good for the planet, it’s good for the wallet
around 30 weeks, but by choosing to have
too. Of course, we also manufacture new
an older product revitalised, they could
equipment, but we always encourage our
save up to 20 weeks: and when choosing
customers to revitalise old before they
a DEGRA stock item in the meantime we
purchase new.”
can fully eliminate that lead time.
DEGRA also has a rental fleet for
“We take the aged equipment back to
customers who are not looking to commit
our facility, strip it down, refurbish it, and
to new equipment. With a large stock of
bring it back to life,” said Mr Colgan.
winches and power packs ready for rental,
“This service is one that a lot of people
this service has been a major player in
don’t know about,” Ms de Graaf added.
preventing the scrappage of equipment.
“The price of a new motor is immense and
“Every year, we expand our rental fleet,”
refurbing an existing product is not just
said Ms de Graaf. “Not only do we have 200
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DEGRA
I PROFILE
winches in stock, ranging from half-a-tonne
Hydro-CAN designs and delivers hardware
to 30 tonnes, but we have the gearboxes
using CAN-bus controls which allow for
and motors available as well. Often, we
remote access to equipment in real time.
supply a winch as part of a turn-key delivery
“Further integrating our worlds is a very
including our own designed EHPU units avail-
exciting prospect for DEGRA,” Mr Colgan
able from stock up to 180 kW.
said. “Electronic control is developing
“When people are talking about health
at an incredible rate: these controls can
and safety, we want to create the best
be programmed to send live data to the
possible equipment for the operator to work
customer, which is incredibly important
with. Using radio remote controls upgrades
for the offshore industry. Some of our
the position of the operator to the next level:
customers have operational costs within
away from noise and ensuring the safest
the hundreds of thousands, and they
operator position during offshore activities.”
can’t afford for the equipment to stop working. So that continuous equipment
“The most important part of the job is being able to add value to customers’ projects. We offer longevity and reliability. That’s why our clients are some of the biggest offshore companies in The Netherlands and the world.” UK Sales Manager Damian Colgan.
Now featuring Hydro-CAN Having worked with Hydro-CAN – a hydraulic and control systems expert that specialises in CAN-bus control – for 15 years, DEGRA made the decision to acquire the tech specialist at the start of 2023.
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monitoring with status feedback is a real game changer.” Mr Colgan’s presence within the company also kickstarted another exciting chapter and another milestone for DEGRA as the very first non-Dutch colleague. Previously focused on the market in the Netherlands, the company decided to add support into the UK market, working with already wellknown contacts and customers already established. “Of course, we don’t want to conquer the UK winch and hydraulic market,”
requirements, and equipment that is ready
Ms de Graaf concluded, “but we want to
to go to work today.
be present there; helping to provide people
“We love working with new companies,
with equipment they otherwise wouldn’t
because when minds come together,
have, making them aware of the stock we
amazing things are created. And ultimately,
hold ready to support their projects and
teamwork is what DEGRA is all about.”
n
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