Rapp Marine Opens New Factor in Serbia

Rapp Marine has opened a new factory in Gruza, Serbia, with 10 000 m² total roof coverage, 9100 m² production area, 40 000 m² land and a total investment of 6.8 million Euros. 

“We are greatly proud of what we have achieved and look forward to developing this facility together with our management and staff, suppliers, partners and both local and central authorities in Serbia,” says Helge Vatnehol the CEO of Rapp Marine. 

This is one of the most successful privatizations, the Ambassador Nils Ragnar Kamsvåg, said in his opening speech.

The official opening was performed by Kamsvåg, together with vice president of the government of the Republic of Serbia, Rasim Ljajic and Olav Fjell, chairman of the board of Rapp Marine. “Our goal is that the factory in Gruza, Serbia will be one of the most modern and efficient winch and deck machinery factory in the world,” said Vatnehol.

Over the past decades, industrial production in Norway has become increasingly exposed to competition from other quarters. Rapp Marine has invested heavily in the future by opening a highly modern production facility in Gruza, Serbia. This investment is a significant factor in sustaining competitiveness; and the company expects its ability to secure competitive manufacturing capacity in cost effective geographies, will become even more important in the years ahead.  

The basis for addressing this vital task is the expertise and experience that has been built up over decades within the company’s workforce and factories in Norway, Scotland and US. This will now be shared and enhanced together with the highly skilled staff in Gruza, Serbia. 

Rapp Marine is strongly committed to the development of new technology and new products for international markets, and is convinced that with the Gruza production facility and strong product range, it has established a solid foundation for the coming years.

About Rapp Marine

Rapp Marine was established more than a century ago in Oslo Norway. Ingenuity and passion for new technology were the drivers in the early phase. In the past 100 years since the early beginning, new businesses have been acquired, and others have been founded. Today the company presents a much broader range of products than what was originally conceived, and targets many different markets all over the world. 

Headquarters in Bodø, Norway
Service and sales office in Peterhead, Aberdeen Scotland
Service and sales office in Seattle, USA
Rapp Marine delivers advanced deck machinery all over the world
Our products are designed and developed from our headquarters in Bodø
Our staff have great experience from the marine industry and innovation is in our everyday work
Rapp Marine has been in the marine business for more than 40 years

Facts about the Gruza factory
•    10 000 m² total roof coverage
•    9100 m² production area
•    40 000 m² land
•    Invested 6.850.000,00 EUR
•    Total of employees – 150
•    Planned hiring of 50 employees 
•    Most modern CNC equipment for mechanical machining
•    Sanding and surface treatment facilities
•    Equipment for control of parts and welded structures
•    Products static and dynamic test stand
•    64 t load bearing cranes
•    Central warehousing of spare parts
•    Custom clearance facilities
•    ISO 9001 – 2008 Certificate
•    Will be certified for Achilles Norsok S006