PROFILE
which must be shared with my colleagues at Robert Allan Ltd.
What is the most interesting aspect of your work? Te opportunity to learn from operators in many different countries, then to act as the “synthesizer” of all that input and put forward really progressive and successful new designs. Te process of having an idea, working it from a simple sketch concept through to a complete new design, and then seeing that vessel working in a harbour anywhere in the world brings incredible satisfaction that outweighs any potential monetary reward.
For what geographic area do you carry out most of your work? Our work is quite evenly divided between North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East (including Turkey) and Asia/ SE Asia.
What is the most unpleasant part of your job? Tere really is very little about my job that I find unpleasant. I work with a very talented, hard-working and committed staff, and I enjoy excellent working relationships with the vast majority of our clients, many of whom I count as good friends.
Who inspires you? Although he has been gone for more than 26 years, I continue to be inspired by my Father, Robert F. Allan, who was a consummate Naval Architect, and the most principled of men. Whenever I need some guidance, “What would Dad do?” provides the best of advice.
How do marine regulations affect your work? One of our major challenges is dealing with the impact of irrationally different rules for the same subject between Classification Societies and between different Flag States. It is an ambition of mine to attempt to achieve much more commonality between Class Rules for tugs, and I presented a paper on this subject to ITS 2006 in Singapore and that several Classification Societies have embarked upon a project (within the International SAFETUG Project) to do just that.
How do you keep abreast of industry trends? I like to think that Robert Allan Ltd is leader in the major workboat market sectors in which we work, particularly in tug design and fireboat design, so our challenge is more to keep ahead of the pack rather than to keep up with it, and also to try to deter imitators. We try to stay on top of current trends in all aspects of the marine industry. We do this largely by reading industry journals, seminars, and through a network of contacts with major suppliers. We organise “lunch and learn” sessions in the office where suppliers are invited to make topical presentations on what is new in their product lines.
Ship & Boat International March/April 2009
What industry titles do you read? Tere is a pile of industry journals that accumulate on my desk monthly, and I rarely have time to read them all thoroughly. I concentrate on those most aligned to our work, namely ITS Report, Ship & Boat International, Work Boat World, Te Naval Architect and some of the local magazines from BC.
How do you motivate and inspire your team? I work very hard, put in long hours and strive to make every new design better than the last. I also value above all the reputation for quality design work and integrity of business practise that Robert Allan Ltd has earned in nearly 80 years in business. Tat seems to filter down without any lectures from me. I believe our staff recognises that we have a very special team spirit here, and a reputation for design quality which must be maintained.
What is the future of your product/service? I believe that even in spite of the current downturn there will still be demand for quality, independent design services. Te current business climate will undoubtedly result in fewer vessels being built, but it will also generate new demands for highly efficient and more cost-effective vessels of all types. Te emergence of hybrid propulsion systems and similar “green” technologies will also provide new opportunities.
How do you see the industry as a whole changing in the future? Tere has been a marked trend over the past couple of years for Consulting Naval Architecture firms to be absorbed either into large conglomerate organisations, or into firms whose primary business is machinery manufacture, and for whom the “design” side becomes just a “value-added” to offer to clients. I fail to see how a Consultant in this field can be tied to a specific machinery manufacturer and propose to offer independent and professional advice to their clients for any “optimum” design solution. Robert Allan Ltd has no contractual ties to any machinery manufacturers, nor to any shipyards, other than those who are our direct clients. All of our advice is totally independent. I feel that this type of consulting expertise will not fall out of fashion, but I do think that the overall consolidation of the design/ machinery supply side will not be to the ultimate advantage of the ship owner.
Where will you be in 10 years’ time? I intend to work full time for another 4-5 years, then I intend to take life a little easier, enjoy travel at a more leisurely pace than my present schedule permits, but continue to be involved in special projects and provide as much on-going mentoring as the firm feels I can contribute positively. I think, however, that in 10 years, I may be close to “fully retired”. SBI
45
ROBERT ALLAN LTD.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48