Twin Disc, Inc.

John Batten, Twin Disc, Inc.

Twin Disc, Inc. designs, manufactures and sells marine and heavy-duty off-highway power transmission equipment. Products offered include marine transmissions, azimuth drives, surface drives, propellers and boat management systems, as well as power-shift transmissions, hydraulic torque converters, power take-offs, industrial clutches and control systems. The company sells its products to customers primarily in the pleasure craft, commercial and military marine markets, as well as in the energy and natural resources, government and industrial markets. The company’s worldwide sales to both domestic and foreign customers are transacted through a direct sales force and a distributor network.

The trend toward hybrid marine propulsion systems continues to accelerate, particularly in Europe, as suppliers and operators see increasing benefi ts: reduced emissions for regulatory compliance, and fuel and maintenance savings for faster return on investment. Clearly, Twin Disc sees signifi cant opportunity in this trend. Its acquisition of Veth Propulsion includes Veth’s industry-leading technology and an industry-wide reputation for innovation and reliability. With expanded engineering capabilities, Twin Disc is ready to meet growing demand for electric or electric and dieselelectric propulsion systems. Its fl exible solutions include serial hybrid propulsion, or full electric, and parallel hybrid, toggling between electric and diesel power to turn the shaft. Projects are already in the works in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, with more on the horizon—shaping the company’s marine product line as well as the future.

Twin Disc hybrid propulsion systems combine electric motors and diesel engines, enabling switching between the two or using both for a power boost. Electric operation, practical at low power and speed, cuts fuel use and emissions. Hybrid uses include vessels with long waits between jobs (tugboats, pilot boats); those regularly operating at slow speeds (patrol boats, survey vessels); and those whose low full-power requirements let them rely on less costly diesel plus power boosts.