Wilhelmsen enters into agreement to acquire Stromme to join forces on cargo hold cleaning and create an even better offering for customers
Wilhelmsen will acquire the company in Norway from parent Seven Seas including operations in Germany and Singapore, as Stromme will transfer all of its people, business and assets into Wilhelmsen Ships Service. Stromme will retain its brand and operate as a fully owned subsidiary of Ships Service. Combining Stromme’s strong knowledge, experience, and ways of working with Wilhelmsen’s global maritime network enables the combined companies to provide customers with an even better cargo hold cleaning offering going forward. Completion of the transaction is subject to predetermined conditions and is expected to happen in the third quarter of 2022.
Wilhelmsen will continue to invest and build on both it’s current and future cargo hold cleaning business, offering both existing and future customers even better solutions for their cargo holds.
“Stromme was the first specialised cargo hold cleaning company, and their leading position in the marketplace is a solid proof of what this team has built. We want to strengthen and broaden our offering to customers, making Stromme a really good match within cargo hold cleaning, so we are really looking forward to completing this transaction” says President Wilhelmsen Ships Service, Kjell André Engen.
“At Seven Seas we decided to divest Stromme as it was not core business and we chose Wilhelmsen Ships Service as the best possible owner for the business to continue its positive path. Seven Seas thank all Stromme employees and wishes them and all stakeholders the very best going forward”, says CEO and Chairman Seven Seas, Søren Nørgård.
“Stromme has been focusing on cargo hold cleaning only, we have a good concept and have decided to stick to it. Coming from a small and agile organisation, we have had the opportunity to take fast decisions and to rapidly change to key customers’ requirements and put focus where needed. It has resulted in steady and nice growth in revenue and results over the previous years. I see benefits of being a part of WSS with expertise, knowledge, and experience within our segment. The opportunity of utilising the strengths of both organisations will benefit our customers and partners. We will continue to have a strong customer focus and high service level, it’s a people industry after all”, says Stromme General Manager, Ane Fosseng.
About Wilhelmsen Ships Service
With the most extensive global maritime supply network, Wilhelmsen Ships Service is active in 2,000 ports, in more than 100 countries worldwide. Supplying market-leading marine solutions, including the Unitor brand of products, Timm ropes, Unicool refrigerants, and Unitor and Nalfleet marine chemicals, we handle over 200,000 product deliveries every year. The maritime industry’s trusted partner in port, onboard and offshore, our marine products portfolio and innovative solutions are available for every conceivable vessel type in every market and region. At Wilhelmsen Ships Service, we keep global trade running and deliver dependable support for continued vessel operations
Wilhelmsen Ships Service is part of the Wilhelmsen group. For more information, see Wilhelmsen.com
About Stromme
Stromme was established in 1971 as the first dedicated cargo hold cleaning company in the marine industry. The company is headquartered in Norway and has offices in Oslo, Hamburg and Singapore. From its Norwegian roots Stromme have become a global player in the marine industry and its cargo hold cleaning segment.