Plant Engineering

We have 34 departments at the Viking Yacht Company. Each contributes to the success of Viking as they work together to build a better boat every day. In this Viking View, we shine the spotlight on Plant Engineering (PE) – a department that’s focused on making sure everyone else – particularly those departments directly involved with the production of our yachts – can safely, efficiently and effectively carry out their jobs.

To that end, Department #10’s responsibilities range from buildings and grounds maintenance and yacht production support to new machinery acquisition and environmental, health and safety compliance. A big part of production support consists of fabricating all the steel and wood fixtures that hold and support the molds used to build the fiberglass parts of our boats, such as hulls and decks. Above, the Production Support and Fabrication team utilizes machinery – and some muscle – to lift the Viking 90 mold from its plug. Below, Francisco Mitre welds support structures for the enclosed bridge (left) and hull (right) molds for the Viking 90.

Plant Engineering is also charged with planning and facilitating various expansion projects at Viking and some of its subsidiaries, such as this 12,000-square-foot addition to Building 1 at Viking Mullica.

Plant Engineering manages and operates a variety of machinery, ranging from a large truck crane and two Travelifts to a fleet of forklifts, scissor lifts and electric pallet jacks. Left: Steve Mawhinney – a 26-year Viking veteran – operates PE’s 30-ton crane during the 90-hull de-molding. Right: Allan Posadas troubleshoots a malfunctioning electric hoist in our Fiberglass Department, Viglass, utilizing a scissor lift for access.

“We have a philosophy, which comes from Viking Co-founder Bill Healey,” says Plant Engineering Manager Jeff Staub (left). “Bill always believed that if he was going to pay somebody to do a job, he would rather pay his own people, and that’s why Plant Engineering is involved in so many different facets at Viking.” Right: The department relies on its dedicated 41 team members, many of whom have been with Viking for numerous years, including Dora Jaramillo in Housekeeping.

For the full story behind Plant Engineering, click here for the Summer 2022 issue of Valhalla magazine, which includes a Q&A with Jeff and a bonus article detailing PE’s efforts after Superstorm Sandy. 

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