Thordon Bearings, the market leader in environmentally safe, water-lubricated and grease-free bearing and seal solutions, has welcomed marine engineering and naval architecture firm SAI Engineering to its growing global network of authorised distributors.

Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia (BC), SAI Engineering employs a team of technical experts with more than 10 years of extensive experience, specialising in vessel electrification as well as bearing and seal installations and retrofits. The company’s pedigree in naval architecture provides the platform to offer valuable input to newbuild projects at the earliest stages of design, with longstanding customers ranging from operators and builders of ferries, river tugs, leisure craft and fishing boats to the Canadian Coast Guard.

SAI Engineering’s commitment to green vessel operations fully aligns with Thordon Bearings’ environmentally friendly solutions. The company also provides services and support to Canada’s industrial and forestry sectors, which, like the country’s shipbuilding segment, are prioritising sustainable practices and becoming areas where Thordon is especially active.

The agreement covers Thordon’s full range of products, including the COMPAC propeller shaft bearing system, which uses seawater lubrication to eliminate the risk of sterntube oil pollution. It also includes RiverTough propeller shaft bearings, which outperform the competition in abrasive and dirty water conditions, as well as its SXL bearings and the ThorPlas-Blue polymer bearings, which enable grease-free operation of rudders and deck equipment.

Lara Habashy, CEO, SAI Engineering, commented: “Since establishing SAI Engineering, we continue to build on our team’s previous experience working with Thordon Bearings’ products, which have been well received by shipyard clients. Members of our team have enjoyed a strong collaborative relationship with Thordon’s management since the 2010s. We truly believe in these products, which play a vital role in supporting both our customers and the environment.

“On a personal note, as a female executive, I find it inspiring to work alongside Anna Galoni, Thordon CEO and Chair, as she leads her innovative company forward.”

Jason Perry, Thordon Bearings’ Regional Director for North America, added: “SAI Engineering’s familiarity with our product range, exceptional technical expertise and drive to solve problems while keeping the planet’s health in mind makes the company a great fit for the Thordon Bearings family and a valuable resource for our customers. We gladly welcome the company to the team.

“We’re justifiably proud of our distributor network, which includes partners who have been with us for 30+ years; we are always communicating and helping each other to build industry awareness that our eco-friendly solutions are also best in class based on performance.”

Source: Thordon Bearings