Peninsula Power Products, (PPP) the Cape Town and Port Elizabeth based suppliers of marine and industrial diesel engines, gearboxes and generators have secured the exclusive Southern Africa dealership of the ubiquitous Baudouin range of marine engines, manufactured in its French factory since 1918.
Guillaume Costa, Baudouin’s Sales Manager for sub-Saharan Africa explained that Baudouin designs, manufactures and sells engines into the marine and power generation markets in 48 countries around the world.
“While we have a strong presence in north, east and West Africa, we approached PPP to expand our brand footprint in the south of the continent due to PPP’s 50+ year’s reputation of technical expertise, spares and service excellence in the local market”.
Baudouin marine range of engines offers both electronic and full mechanical fuel injection options and expands the PPP range from 4.5 litres right up to 39 litre marine propulsion engines providing the opportunity to enter the market of 130 to 1 650hp continuously rated
workboat range. Its marine genset range covers outputs of 85kVA to 1 100kVA.
“Attractive benefits of these engines are that they are very well priced and easy to work on
which combined with renowned durability, reliability and built with the robustness that is required of the marine environment.
Our engines are not adapted land based stationery engines but are exclusively designed for marine applications” he expounded.
The ubiquitous Baudouin marine range of propulsion engines from 130 to 1 650hp and its marine genset range coverings outputs of 85kVA to 1 100kVA, are now exclusively available from Peninsular Power Products (PPP).
Director of PPP, Bruce Lockhart said of the new dealership: “We are delighted to be representing such an auspicious brand and credentials as Baudouin in southern Africa and its range complements our existing business as multi-franchise suppliers and service providers for the marine and industrial sector, providing an extensive range of high-spec diesel engines, gearboxes and generators and their all-important spare parts.
“Our vast coastline presents an equally vast marine customer base of fishing vessels, charter boats, ferries, patrol boats, and salvage vessels. The fishing industry is a particular strength and we have supplied main propulsion engines, marine gearboxes and on-board marine generators to this market since 1965 building a reputation of trust amongst the most discerning marine industry. From small beginnings with just one brand of engine and one brand of gearbox, we have grown into a successful multi franchise business representing some of the biggest names in the business based on our technical prowess and commitment to excellence and reliable service.
“Our premises in Paarden Eiland, Cape Town, houses two spacious workshops fitted and ready for every occasion, ample yard space, offices and an extensive spares department.
In Port Elizabeth, our branch is dedicated to servicing the chokka industry and other fishing sectors. We also service and maintain a number of National Port Authority vessels in the PE area.
PPP is fortunate to have a team of passionate directors, making it a hands-on owner managed business, employing an equally passionate team of 35 professionals, ensuring high level technical expertise coupled to reliable service back-up. We have twelve marine technicians who will each receive training and refresher courses on a yearly basis from instructors flown in from Baudouin in France” he said.
PPP have service points throughout South Africa, Namibia and Mozambique and service and supply marine propulsion units and marine generating sets to all commercial marine activities including workboats and ferries across sectors including oil and gas industries. It boasts an extensive stockholding of engines, ancillaries and spare parts which can be supplied usually within 24h or flown in at short notice.
“This of course also applies to the Baudouin range” said Guillaume Costa, Baudouin’s Sales Manager for sub Saharan Africa, “which offers availability and price advantages over competitive products. This together with easy replacement procedures – our engines are designed to be quick and easy to work on – means less downtime and faster turnaround times. We estimate that there are between 40 -50 Baudouin powered vessels operating in Mozambique alone which speaks volumes for their robustness, and now being able to be serviced by PPP will contribute to the engines longevity.
“An example of our reputation for robust, powerful and reliable engines is the recent award by a New York ferry operator for the supply of 40 IMO2 approved Baudouin engines for a repower contract where we were in competition with a well-known American make. We were not the cheapest, but our technical specifications, performance and service back-up convinced the customer he was making the right choice!” concluded Costa.
