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Kittiwake Developments, a leading global provider of marine and related sector technology solutions, has appointed Dr Hinrich Hargarter to the position of sales manager and technical advisor for Europe and the Middle East.

Hargarter, who will be based in Hamburg, brings significant experience in materials, and specifically liner expertise to Kittiwake’s expanding global team.

Hargarter has a PhD in mechanical engineering with a focus on material science and worked independently as a materials expert before joining Kittiwake.

Prior to this he spent three years as senior manager in charge of quality and application with M. Jürgensen, the leading supplier, in quality and volume, of cylinder liners for 4-stroke, medium speed engines.

Hargarter’s earlier roles all involve materials research and development, including professor at the University of Virginia and managerial positions with Johnson Massey and Corus, the successor of British Steel.

“During my time at M. Jürgensen I became intimately familiar with the problems relating to liner wear in engines,” explained Hinrich Hargarter. “In terms of cost savings and environmental considerations, these issues are becoming increasingly challenging for ship owners, and it is clear from considerable trial data that Kittiwake’s LinerSCAN product can both reduce costs and manage risk.”

LinerSCAN sensors continually monitor the scrapedown oil for ferrous wear, providing onboard engineers with actionable and trend-able readings with multiple purposes. LinerSCAN can detect the very early onset of severe erosion, improve maintenance scheduling, safeguard against down time, optimize lubricant feed rate, decrease sampling and testing costs, minimise liner wear and detect ingress of CAT fines.

Hargarter commented: “Not only was I attracted to Kittiwake as a young and dynamic company that prioritizes product research and development, but also to its LinerSCAN product – which resonates with my background and specialist area of expertise. The breadth of applications for this single product is unrivalled and I’m looking forward to getting out into the marketplace and discussing its potential with customers.”

He concluded: “Automatic, online systems are undoubtedly the future as they enable continuous monitoring of engine condition and resultantly a much faster and targeted reaction to signs of wear.”

Hargarter joins Kittiwake’s fastest-growing office, in Hamburg, which was established five years ago to ensure close proximity to the European hub and has achieved sales growth of 80 percent over the past three years.

Martin Lucas, Managing Director, Kittiwake Developments commented: “Hinrich’s appointment demonstrates Kittiwake’s ongoing commitment to the recruitment and retention of world class technical expertise. Our product development is unwaveringly grounded in technical insight and industry knowledge from a successful blend of engineers, scientists and those with practical, hands on experience.”

Kittiwake Developments recorded a 25 percent growth in income to $13.8 million for the financial year ending September 2008 and anticipates similar growth levels for 2008 / 2009 to be achieved through new product development, strategic partnerships with leading industry organisations and continued global expansion.