Rolls-Royce, a globally leader in power and propulsion systems, announces the acquisition of Servowatch Systems, a UK-based international supplier of integrated marine automation solutions for navies, commercial vessels and large yachts. Servowatch was previously owned by Larsen & Toubro, the Indian engineering, procurement and construction projects, manufacturing, defense, and services group.

Servowatch is based in Heybridge, Essex, and has operations in India. The company’s automation systems monitor and control the operation of numerous large ships. This includes the propulsion system and numerous other functions such as heating and ventilation and power supply of large yachts and government vessels. The new acquisition is expected to expand the ship automation division of the MTU product and solution brand of Rolls-Royce's Power Systems business. Servowatch employs approximately 35 people at its headquarters with additional 11 people in India.

In a statement published by Rolls-Royce, Andreas Schell, CEO Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said “Servowatch's modern and sophisticated range of automation and integrated bridge systems for government and commercial ships and large yachts is the ideal complement to continue to offer sophisticated total system solutions for marine propulsion systems and the entire ship automation sector.

“Building on a state of the art automation platform and connecting it with our MTU SmartBridge and Digital Solutions we consequently follow our system strategy and being able to provide a fully integrated bridge-to-propeller-solution for our customers,” Andreas added.

Commenting on the occasion, Wayne Ross, Managing Director Servowatch Systems, said, “The team at Servowatch are very pleased and proud to be joining Rolls-Royce Power Systems and see very positively the synergy of products, also the focus on innovation and customer service, which is the recognized hallmark of Rolls-Royce globally.”

“We look forward to contributing our efforts and products to the group, also to our further development as a business unit, under Rolls-Royce ownership," Wayne concludes.