Van Aalst Group to Become Majority Shareholder in Techano

The Van Aalst Group, Dordrecht, has announced that it has become a majority stakeholder in Techano AS, an offshore crane specialist from Norway.

The transaction was closed on the 1^st November 2017, following the purchase of a 3D crane technology from another Norwegian company earlier in 2016.

With the acquisition the Van Aalst Group is now one of the very few companies in the world being able to deliver a crane as well as a gangway as a combined package, using the 3D crane function.

Founded in 2008, Techano in Kristiansand is specialised in designing and supplying innovative offshore cranes and state-of-the-art lifting equipment. By selecting the finest raw materials and by giving attention to even the smallest details, customers get top quality.

Techano not only brings a wealth of reliable offshore crane technology to the Van Aalst group, its senior management also combines over 100 years of working experience in the offshore crane and lifting business. During its existence the company has served many well-known international customers.

Prior to this acquisition the Van Aalst Group had already bought patented 3D crane technology from A-lifting in Molde, Norway, specialised in the development and delivery of innovative lifting solutions for subsea and offshore operations.

The company designed the 3D crane to transfer equipment, such as tools, small generators, spare parts and containers, safely to an offshore platform, wind turbine or substation using 3D motion compensation. By eliminating vessel motions, the 3D crane ensures a safe and efficient transfer, ensuring a perfect solution for service operation vessels and Walk-to-Work vessels.

The Van Aalst Group has a longstanding reputation in delivering innovative cargo handling systems and is the owner of the unique SafeWay motion compensated offshore access system. “As a new shareholder, we are bringing Techano the means to deliver growth with the objective to take the company to the next level.

“The company has excellent assets: the quality of its management and its team, together with the expertise in innovation, and worldwide recognition for the excellence of its products. We are very excited to take part in this new page of the future of Techano. And we look forward to continue to develop the company and be a prominent player in the oil, gas and renewables industry,” declared CEO Wijnand van Aalst of the Van Aalst Group.

Øystein Bondevik, commercial manager of Techano AS, said, “This transaction has achieved two key objectives for us. Firstly, in the Van Aalst Group we have found a strong shareholder with key competencies in strategy, business development and operational excellence to support the company going forward. Secondly, with the capital raise we have strengthened our balance sheet and improved our liquidity position and outlook. In today’s markets, having a solid balance sheet is an important competitive advantage as our clients increasingly focus on counterparty solidity and long-term viability when allocating engineering and construction contracts.”

In parallel with his Techano job Bondevik is also Van Aalst’s representative in Norway and Denmark.

With this possibility of offering a combined crane/gangway package, the Van Aalst Group anticipates the new trend for standby and support vessels. The company can now deliver a variety of tailor made 3D motion compensated cranes in various sizes as well as a range of telescopic gangways for safe transfer of personnel and cargo.