Consulting Services Performed
in the Technology and Manufacturing Sector

IMA provides a wide range of strategic planning, market analysis and management advisory services to technology firms and manufacturers. Among our clients have been engine manufacturers, automation and electrical system suppliers, pump manufacturers, communication systems providers, lending institutions, etc. The following illustrate the range of our activities in this sector:

• profiled deepwater wind energy projects in the planning or study stage, assessed likelihood of these projects proceeding, reviewed floating wind turbine designs currently in development, profiled the competitive landscape for system suppliers and forecast mid/long term demand for deepwater wind turbines
• forecast demand for wire and fiber rope for use in deepwater offshore mooring systems, benchmarked competitors active in this market, assessed technology developments likely to change future buying patterns and recommended a plan for market positioning
• evaluated concepts and technology for carbon capture and sequestration, with emphasis on potential ocean sequestration of CO2 and capture technology applicable in the marine environment
• assessed the potential commercial market for marine propulsion thrusters, benchmarked companies manufacturing/developing underwater propulsion pods and recommended a business positioning strategy for introducing a newly developed integral motor/propeller based on canned motor technology — prepared for Westinghouse
• evaluated the world market for marine automation systems and recommended a plan of action for business expansion
• recommended a strategy and marketing plan for a major insulation manufacturer to position in the worldwide marine thermal, acoustic and fire protection insulation market
• forecast the market for podded electric drive, assessed customer requirements, identified issues that need to be addressed in product introduction and recommended a strategy for market positioning — prepared for Siemens
• assessed the feasibility of developing an automated global network of HF stations for worldwide marine communications as an alternative to satellite communications
• provided business research and market development support to the major marine diesel manufacturer in Europe — these advisory services extended over 15 years
• evaluated the commercial shipboard market for electric drive systems, recommended a business strategy for expanding market share and assisted in project identification and customer support
• assessed the future market for shipboard information systems, identified issues related to market penetration and recommended a strategy for business positioning
• evaluated the potential market for a newly developed intrinsically safe submerged electric cargo pump, recommended a plan of action for market entry and identified potential strategic alliance partners — prepared for Westinghouse
• defined and profiled customer requirements for satellite-based marine communications and recommended a strategy to expand marine market presence
• assessed the potential for commercializing power conversion and power line conditioning technology initially developed for naval ship use and recommended a plan of action for business positioning
• evaluated potential commercial marine applications for aircraft-derived automation systems and test equipment and recommended a plan of action for market entry
• assessed the worldwide commercial market for marine pumps, profiled competition in this market and recommended a plan of action to increase market penetration
• evaluated the market for azimuthing thrusters, recommended a business positioning strategy and evaluated potential acquisition and/or strategic alliance candidates for a major Finnish thruster manufacturer
• identified and evaluated opportunities to diversify the business base of a company specialized in naval nuclear components manufacture, recommended a plan of action and assisted for several years in implementing the plan
• analyzed the market for marine cargo access equipment, recommended a plan of action for market positioning and assisted a Swedish manufacturer in program implementation over a five year period
• evaluated the market for waterjet propulsion systems, recommended a strategy for market positioning and identified potential acquisition and/or strategic alliance candidates to expand the business base of a New Zealand propulsion manufacturer
• analyzed the worldwide market for marine desalination plants and recommended a plan of action for market positioning

IMA was engaged by Allis Chalmers to assist in its efforts to position in the market for manufacture of marine diesels. We prepared an analysis of the available market, recommended a strategy for market positioning, assisted in negotiations to establish a strategic alliance with one of the three major diesel licensors and participated in the sale of three 44,000 bhp marine diesels. These are the largest diesels manufactured to date in the USA.