In a bid to further strengthen its market position in the Nordic region Marinetek has acquired Swedish pontoon manufacturer, Svenska Flytpontoner Ab. The company is one of the biggest marina equipment manufacturers in Sweden and also enjoys a strong market share in Denmark.

Renowned for its advanced concrete technology and industry experience, Svenska Flytpontoner was founded in 1994 and manufactures heavy duty pontoons, large breakwater elements and other types of pontoon at its own factory in Rimbo, north of Stockholm. The company has built many leading marinas in Sweden, the most famous of which include Ina Marina in Stockholm and the America’s Cup Marina in Malmö. 

“The acquisition brings Marinetek an excellent production unit on the east coast of Sweden with experienced and skilled personnel,” explains Marinetek Group CEO, Ilkka Seppälä. “We now own three of the six factories that produce heavy duty pontoons in Sweden, enabling us to considerably sharpen our competitiveness in all Nordic countries,” he adds.

The buy-out follows Marinetek’s purchase of Svenska Flytbryggor Ab, a former Swedish pontoon manufacturer on the west coast, one year ago. With this acquisition, Marinetek Sweden – a Marinetek Group subsidiary – became market leader in the country.

“The integration in Sweden has gone as planned and company turnover will increase by 26 per cent this year,” notes Jukka Saarikko, chairman of the board of Marinetek Sweden Ab. He sees great advantages in owning factory facilities on both east and west coasts. “The factory in Mellerud on the west coast of Sweden is ideally located to serve the Norwegian market while the facility near Stockholm will enable us to take care of the east coast – the main market in Sweden.

The previous owners of Svenska Flytpontoner, including major shareholder, founder and CEO Lars Wivemar, will now form part of the top management team at Marinetek Sweden. Wivemar is confident that the acquisition will greatly strengthen Marinetek Sweden. “It is great to be part of the global Marinetek Network and I am ready for the new challenges,” he says.