With more than a century’s worth of experience, Rheinhold & Mahla has developed a reputation for excellence within the maritime industry. During an exclusive interview with Inside Marine magazine, CEO Vollrath Schuster explained why R&M is the go-to-choice for turnkey outfitting services. Report by Imogen
Ward.
With an eye for detail, Rheinhold & Mahla creates fully furnished masterpieces (implementing scrupulous outfitting services and insulation expertise). Thanks to R&M, the interiors of vessels have never looked so good.
“Companies want the ease of turnkey solutions and a total range of services that meet their needs,” said CEO Vollrath Schuster. “Of course, our competi tors offer this as well, but not to the level that we do. We even manufacture and supply our own products. In doing so, we can track every step of the process, which is incredibly important.”
Founded in 1887 as an insulation company, Rheinhold & Mahla has since diversified into interior outfitting and furniture construction. Headquartered in Germany, the R&M Group operates globally with its various locations and takes a market lead in Europe and Asia.
Adding value at every step
From product development to maintenance, R&M provides customer support at every stage of the value chain; taking an empty space and turning it into a plush, high-quality cabin or public area. Its portfolio boasts wall and ceiling panels, A- and B-doors, floors and furnishing, among others; R&M even manufactures prefabricated wet units which arrive at their new home ready for use.
“Material and equipment supply can be a door opener for our turnkey services,” Mr Schuster said. “For example, if an owner is interested in galley equipment, maybe he is also interested in a redesign for that galley, or even our new build services. There are big opportunities to begin as a supplier and finish with a performance contract. It is not something that happens in every case, or even immediately; but over time our customers see the advantage of it.”
R&M works hard to develop and adapt its offering to provide customers with the very best solutions. Most recently, the company has developed a new wall panel for those who desire a more sustainable option.
“ Earlier this year, we successfully developed a new panel for our customers which is lightweight,” Mr Schuster said: The aluminium panel allows our customers to save weight. Lighter vessels use less fuel, so the panel is also highly economical and more sustainable.”
Like any R&M product, the aluminium panel has gone through rigorous testing to ensure robustness and reliability. The product is also fire rated and certified, providing customers with reassurance that they are investing in a product that is reliable and safety standard compliant.
Positive partnerships
With customer satisfaction a priority, in 2022 R&M embarked on a joint venture with long-term partner, Aluminox (a Greek galley equipment manufacturer) . Having previously worked together on a serious of Stena Line ferries over the last five years, R&M was confident in Aluminox’s abilities.
“We have seized the opportunity to come together with Aluminox in a common venture,” Mr Schuster explained. “We can incorporate its equipment into our turnkey services, which is a huge benefit for both of us. That’s why we invest in these joint ventures – because we can join forces to really help improve the overall service we provide to our customers.
“On top of that, those partnerships are an important element of shipbuilding in general. Everyone needs to trust each other, otherwise, there would be no room to succeed. Especially in these uncertain times, where market prices and delivery times are under pressure. Having this cooperation and support really builds that trust.”
R&M has extensive experience outfitting newbuilds and completing entire vessel renovation projects. One of the company’s most recent projects will be completed with Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding in China within this year. Outfitting the country’s first locally made large cruise ship, with more than 14,000 square metres of space, R&M exemplifies exactly why its subsidiary in China is the number one turnkey outfitter for cruise ships and ferries.
A team like no other
In line with the company’s commitment to creating a more sustainable working environment, R&M provides flexible hours and hybrid working.
“We are dedicating a lot of time to employee welfare,” Mr Schuster explained. “The shipbuilding industry is very intensive, and we are committed to making
their lives easier, assessing the ways in which we can personally improve as a company to really give them the best work experience.”
Having pledged to improve social sustainability, R&M offers all its staff opportunity to grow their skills with in-house training. Not a fan of generalised widespread training, Mr Schuster prefers to provide employees with more personal, one-to-one educational days.
“For me, each employee is special and deserves that one-to-one time,” Mr Schuster said. “It may be a bit more expensive, but I think the result for the company and for the employee is much greater.”
This dedication to staff extends to potential employees as well. Just like any industry, the shipbuilding sector has witnessed a shortage in entry-level employees; however, R&M has adapted to this gracefully, expanding its job requirements to encompass degrees that relate to the role, including mechanical engineers, building engineers, developers and architects.
“It can be difficult to convince students that this is the right path for them,” said Mr Schuster. “So, the pool of people to pick from within shipbuilding is already smaller compared to other industries.
However, those that are convinced that shipbuilding is for them tend to enter the industry filled with a lot more passion, and that really makes all the difference to the work they create.”
Drawing from his ample experience in the industry, Mr Schuster explained why shipbuilding is such a passion-filled industry: “The ship building sector is extraordinary. You meet so many people who are all warm and friendly. It’s a much
more personal industry, because you are physically working alongside the people who are living in the vessels, making an active difference to their home away from home. They get so excited for the changes we make and that is a real driving factor in this business.
“Ships and the sea are synonymous with passion,” he concluded. “We are essentially building small cities, and that is amazing.” n
