Viking Announces a Changing of the Guard

After 13-1/2 years with Viking Life-Saving Equipment with the last 10 spent as CEO and group managing director, Kjeld Amann will go into retirement following the Annual General Meeting on March 15, 2010. Company chairman for the past 50 years, Tage Sorensen made the announcement.

During Amann's tenure as CEO the Danish world market leader in safety equipment to the maritime and offshore industry has grown its business volume considerably. At the same time, the company has enlarged its global owned network of sales, service and stock points to more than 50. Over 250 certified service and sales agents offer its clients the most comprehensive quality network in the industry.
 

Looking forward, the company is well-positioned financially and market-wise to further expand and diversify its business. Amann will be succeeded as CEO by global sales and marketing director Henrik Uhd Christensen. He has been with Viking for 17-1/2 years with a 5-year tenure as managing director of Viking Germany.

"Kjeld Amann, together with his colleagues, has done a fantastic job of professionalizing the company, continuing the globalization and growing the company to better match the ever increasing demands from our markets," said Sorensen. "There awaits the incoming CEO a great challenge to continue and, as opportunity presents itself, to change the course that has been mapped out. I remain confident that Mr. Christensen will be up to the task."

Viking offers a choice of marine and offshore products – standard or tailor-made – that are certified to the latest requirements of IMO, SOLAS, EU and the USCG. These include chute and slide-based marine and offshore evacuation and embarkation systems, liferafts, lifejackets, immersion and work suits, pilot suits, transportation suits, man overboard (MOB) boats, davits and other life-saving appliances.