TEFIN MARINE ELECTRONICS SERVICE NETWORK

MOVING FORWARD IN MARINE SERVICING

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Inside Marine

PROFILE

Tefin Marine Electronics Service Network prides itself as a provider offering solutions, not only products. As a market leader in the high profile marine electronics servicing industry, the company prides itself on its fast and direct customer care to the extent that it has become one of the company’s core values. Over 20 years of experience in the sector allows Tefin to provide assistance with quality, competence and reliability, offering total solutions and competitive pricing.

efin is a marine electronics service network bringing quality, professional and customised services and innovative solutions to the sector. The business is always researching and looking for new approaches and ways to keep up with the evolving requirements of the global market. The R&D “lights” are always on at Tefin for new challenges! In addition to electrical and electronics services, the company also offers consultancy for projects, shipbuilding/drydock and mediation for clients: immediate global response to clients’ requests wherever and whatever. Tefin covers marine navigation, automation, connectivity, propulsion and digital services. When speaking to the management about the start of the business, it was interesting to learn that the Tefin project started over 20 years ago summoning the ability to fulfil the market request for a dynamic, innovative and cutting-edge business and the determination for eco-friendly, safe and seamless navigation. The company provides technical services and maintenance for any type of ship while meeting the changes of the market head-on

by virtue of its in-house culture of technological and environmental innovation. This ability is strengthened by the teamwork between industry experts and leading international partners. But what was and is Tefin’s vision? Tefin is a family business born from the passion and inspiration of the Minieri family. The company’s founder, Luigi, works alongside his wife, Adele, and his sons, Angelo, Emanuele and Mattia. Adele is the company’s accounts manager, Angelo is responsible for the commercial division, Emanuele heads the technical aspects and Mattia oversees the international arena. In the words of the founder, Luigi Minieri, Tefin is defined thus: “Energy and quality move us forward! We think the past is the basis for anticipating the future, while experience and innovation are the key elements driving us.” There is indeed an emotional return in the daily running of a family business that stands out in the market. Members are all well connected to the company – its history, its products, its relationship to the community, its loyalty to employees and clients and these show in the care and variety of services offered by Tefin.

Inside Marine

TEFIN MARINE ELECTRONICS SERVICE NETWORK

PROFILE

24/7/365 support Tefin is headquartered in Naples and is also located in Genoa, Rome-Civitavecchia, Messina, Palermo, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp and Tunis. Within Naples the company has two facilities, the 3,000 sqm headquarters and a 250 sqm satellite office within Naples’ port area. Tefin’s workforce includes over 75 technicians who are highly trained on the various brands and products and are spread out and available in the different sectors. For important, special projects, Tefin may source additional technicians from within its consortium – up to 150 people, or as needed. Tefin has modern facilities and meeting rooms where clients can visit and meet to discuss projects. It operates workshops, dedicated to carrying out maintenance on small equipment, and warehouses to manage parts and products. A spokesperson for Tefin’s management said: “Immediate availability of spare parts directly from our inventory results in a quick solution to any problem in a single service call. We have flexible and mobile service teams ready to go at all times of the day. The service focuses on instalment, maintenance, repairs on or replacement of and modification of equipment and systems.”

Service and sectors Tefin’s business includes three main sectors: service, shipbuilding/dry dock and R&D. Refitting is Tefin’s most requested service; it requires both skilled personnel and extensive experience. Tefin has both. Refitting represents 40% of the company business. 4

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“Presently we are dealing with a major rejuvenating activity, a sort of face lift for the Guilio Verne (Prysmian Group), a cable laying vessel built in 1983. A 40-year-old ‘lady’ we have known and supported many times, for which we are now providing successful total maintenance,” said the Head of Tefin’s Technical Division. Within the automation segment, Tefin optimises equipment performance and improves the reliability of systems. The result of this is ships running to a greater degree of efficiency, providing more cost-effective naval operations. The dedicated automation teams are highly skilled in these tasks and are responsible for solving the complex problems inherent to these naval and industrial systems and the processes involved. The teams develop and suggest the best solutions, technologies and procedures to increase safety levels.

Innovative solutions Research and development are also at the forefront of what Tefin is achieving. On this front, two major projects have come to fruition recently, including an innovative energy saving system. The first one, ESS, is a smart Energy Saving System, an innovative onboard automation system, designed to optimise power consumption and reduce environmental pollution. It is applied to ventilation and Sea or Fresh Water-Cooling Systems. This intelligent system informs and communicates in real time how to correctly manage consumption, ventilation and sea/fresh water-cooling systems. The second major R&D project is the R3S System. Developed in-house, it is a simple but innovative product application essential

A global market Tefin said it is fully aware of the strategic importance of intercultural differences when navigating markets. Tefin’s International Division, Communication/Marketing stated: “Knowledge of foreign languages and the development of effective intercultural business skills are important issues. We believe that speaking a foreign language is not enough, as what are needed are the skills and the ability to communicate and mediate concepts, perspectives and projects in the most effective ways.

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for the prevention of fires on board Ro-Ro ships, thanks to the monitoring of the electrical sockets of the refrigerated trailers. The R3S limits failures, protects cargo and integrates seamlessly with the tools to control fire systems that are currently on the market. Tefin’s R&D team is currently working on shore-to-ship power or alternative maritime power, also known as cold ironing. This system has a positive impact on reducing emissions because this energy can be derived from a cleaner source than fuel burning engines. Tefin is interested in and supportive of both the green economy and the blue economy as they are linked. Tefin is presenting a number of its products at SMM 2022, including: R3S, ESS, an intelligent battery charger for vehicles on board, a yachting smart automation system and an amplified fire system detector.

Knowledge of foreign languages and the development of effective intercultural business skills are important issues “We at Tefin have been working on this aspect and we look at cultural differences as further business enrichment. We feel that intercultural skills in business are an asset and a priority to facilitate communication worldwide – and are a sign of respect for our partners.”

Future landscape Speaking about the future, the company stated: “The Covid-19 pandemic has forced significant changes in the way companies perform worldwide. There will be a need to adopt new operational practices and changes soon. Changes are challenging the field with a re-evaluation of the supply chain management and logistics, raw material shortages, delivery times, terms and conditions and prices, just to mention a few. “However, the incredible adaptation performance of the maritime field and the people working in it will shift focus on connectivity, digitalisation, collaboration, alternative fuels and robotisation. Some sectors such as yachting and offshore will possibly excel. “Viva il Mare!” n Inside Marine