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Great news for Damen Schelde Marine Services: it has taken over all operations of Ruysch International. This ‘s-Gravendeel-based company has specialised in supplying parts of European-sourced 4-stroke diesel engines since 1935. “We are taking over the staff, the stock, the contacts and the premises; everything except the name,” says DSMS Managing Director Arnold Suykerbuyk. “The Ruysch business is a nice complement to ours. As such, we are bringing in capabilities and product knowledge that we did not yet have.”
For ninety years, Ruysch International has been an established and respected name in the maritime market. The company is particularly known for supplying and servicing engine parts from Stork Werkspoor Diesel (SWD), ABC and providing enhanced capabilities for Wärtsilä 26 and 38 type engines. “There is also a fully equipped workshop in ‘s Gravendeel where used engines are dismantled and their parts overhauled,” Arnold says. “In Vlissingen, we are very good at the whole supply chain of purchasing, importing, selling, and exporting and we also offer customers reconditioned parts, but then we had to outsource the reconditioning. We can now do that ourselves with an experienced team in ‘s Gravendeel.”
Ruysch International Managing Director Willem-Hendrik Ruysch (left) and DSMS Managing Director Arnold Suyerbuyk sign the take-over agreement.
Ruysch International’s client base also complements that of DSMS nicely. Arnold: “Our customers are mostly from merchant shipping, as well as energy companies and navies. At Ruysch, the focus was mainly on inland and coastal shipping with workboats, fishing and dredging vessels and other energy companies, so we match up nicely.”
Ruysch International had been looking for a company to take over the business for some time and in the summer of 2023, they came across DSMS. After that, things moved quickly. “In September we started some serious talks and by 1 January the takeover was a done deal. This was partly made possible by Damen Maritime Ventures. Thanks to the good cooperation with their legal department, HR specialists and real estate department, we were able to complete the takeover in four months.”
“The Ruysch business is a nice complement to ours. As such, we are bringing in capabilities and product knowledge that we did not yet have.” Arnold Suykerbuyk
So, although the acquisition was official back in January, DSMS did not release the news until 1 March. “We used the first quarter to transition staff and all ongoing issues,” Arnold says. “We have been able to retain all employees and we are very happy with that because there are people with more than 20 years of experience there. They are very important for the survival and progress of the business.”
Reactions are also positive among customers, Arnold says. “We have had good discussions with customers, and they are positive that a company like Damen can continue operations. For example, we are an IATA member, which means we can book air cargo. These customers can benefit from that very easily.”
Looking back over the past six months, Arnold concludes by complimenting his staff, both the new ones in ‘s-Gravendeel and his colleagues in Vlissingen. “We have all managed to make the transition as smooth as possible. The colleagues in ‘s-Gravendeel are happy not to have to move and very enthusiastic and motivated to continue under the Damen name. The colleagues in Vlissingen have made an extraordinary effort over the past few months to get everything right. For that, I am very grateful to them.”
