Wärtsilä and Hitachi renew co-operation agree...

Wärtsilä Corporation Trade & Technical Press Release 12 March 2009

Wärtsilä and Hitachi Zosen Corporation of Japan yesterday signed a
ten-year renewal of the existing co-operation agreement for the
marketing, sale, manufacturing and servicing of Wärtsilä low-speed
marine diesel engines. Hitachi's low-speed engine business is handled
by the group company Hitachi Zosen Diesel & Engineering Co Ltd at its
Ariake Machinery Works in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan.

The licence co-operation agreement is a basis for the exchange of
diesel engine technology between Wärtsilä and Hitachi. It defines and
regulates intellectual property rights. It also sets out the delivery
and feedback of technical information and support. Such licence
agreements allow synergies to the participating companies through
aggregating research, development and design with the licensor while
distributing and localising manufacture to licensees in separate
countries.

This is the third renewal of a licence agreement of Wärtsilä
concluded in Japan in recent months. The other agreements are with
Diesel United Ltd, signed in October 2008, and Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries Ltd, signed in January this year. Renewal of these
agreements, all for ten years' validity, at a time of financial and
market uncertainties is a clear statement of the confidence in the
future for these important licence relationships.

The partnership with Hitachi goes back to an agreement signed in
November 1956. More recently, it was reinforced in 2008 when Hitachi
began the manufacture of RT-flex low-speed marine diesel engines
which incorporate the very latest electronically-controlled common
rail technology. Hitachi is currently focusing on the manufacture of
electronically-controlled engines (RT-flex types) and is building a
series of RT-flex50 engines for installation in new ships being
constructed in China and Brazil.

Link to picture
Caption: At the signing of the renewal of the co-operation agreement:
Mr Koichiro Anzai, Senior Managing Director, Hitachi Zosen
Corporation (left) and Dr Martin Wernli, President, Wärtsilä
Switzerland Ltd (right)


Media contacts:
Mr Martin Wernli
President
Wärtsilä Switzerland Ltd
Direct tel: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]


Ms Marit Holmlund-Sund
Senior Manager, PR and Marketing Communications
Wärtsilä Corporation
Direct tel: [phone]
Direct fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
Internet: www.wartsila.com


Mr. Tomomitsu Yamamoto
Assistant Manager, Public Relations
Hitachi Zosen Corporation
E-mail : [e-mail]
Direct tel: [phone]
Direct fax:[phone]
Internet: www.hitachizosen.co.jp



Wärtsilä Corporation in brief:
Wärtsilä enhances the business of its customers by providing them
with complete lifecycle power solutions. When creating better and
environmentally compatible technologies, Wärtsilä focuses on the
marine and energy markets with products and solutions as well as
services. Through innovative products and services, Wärtsilä sets out
to be the most valued business partner of all its customers. This is
achieved by the dedication of close to 19,000 professionals manning
160 locations in 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on
the Nordic Exchange in Helsinki, Finland.
www.wartsila.com


Hitachi Zosen Corporation in brief
Hitachi Zosen is one of leading heavy industry companies in Japan,
including the manufacturing and sales of marine diesel engines.
Hitachi Zosen also promotes the construction of high-tech information
processing systems and the automation and mechanization of production
facilities, placing due consideration on both the working environment
and environmental conservation and developing our business on a
foundation of high technology and reliability. Hitachi Zosen makes
every effort to produce products and services that will continually
satisfy our customers' needs.
www.hitachizosen.co.jp


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