GOTEBORG, Sweden, April 25, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Semcon will once again take part in developing a yacht for the world's toughest and longest yacht race, this time as the design and development partner for Ericsson's entry. The new regulations mean that the yachts in the Volvo Ocean Race 2005/2006 are both bigger and faster than in previous years, which places exceptional demands on innovative technical solutions, design, construction and IT. "These are the most extreme single-hulled yachts that have sailed around the world," says Semcon's CEO Hans Johansson. "We are proud and happy that Ericsson chose to use our unique skills to develop a winning yacht."
"Ericsson has chosen Semcon as its design and development partner for Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006. Semcon's strengths are its technical skills and experience of developing technical solutions. They will also provide experience from two previous successful sailing projects," says Bert Nordberg, Ericsson's Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing.
"In 25 years we have succeeded in capturing the position as one of the world's ten leading design and development companies," says Semcon's CEO, Hans Johansson. "Partnering Ericsson on this project gives us, besides the internal and external activities, a unique chance to build a relationship with one of our most important customers in an industry that we would like to expand in. But of course Semcon's aim is also to win the VOR 2005-2006. We love challenges and this is definitely the toughest challenge that our team has undertaken," he concludes.
Semcon's role in the project
The relatively open regulations for what the new Volvo Open 70 yachts will look like makes development work a real challenge. The common factors are however that the yachts will be ten foot longer, have swing keels, four metre taller masts, sails with 62% greater surface area and two crew members less than in previous races. With its extensive experience, wide-ranging and extensive technical skills, Semcon plays a far-reaching role as technical partner during the important design and development phase where the correct solutions and production methods are crucial for the final result. Semcon's R&D departments carry out many advanced calculations and analyse and evaluate different technical solutions. This phase includes numerous tests of materials, sails and all other equipment. Semcon is developing systems within areas as IT solutions, electronics, web and analysis for the project.
Volvo Ocean Race
The world's most challenging ocean race, the Volvo Ocean Race, has taken place every four years since its conception in 1973. In November 2005, seven yachts will line up on the starting line in Galicia, Spain. They will compete over the next eight months, covering 31,000 nautical miles of the globe's most treacherous seas, over nine legs, visiting ten ports around the world. Read more at: www.volvooceanrace.org
Semcon is an internationally leading design and development company, with around 1,500 employees and sales in 2004 of SEK 1.3 billion. Semcon's consultants develop products, processes and people. The combination of good growth over 25 years and well-established relationships with leading industrial groups provides a strong base for continued success. Semcon AB (publ) is listed on the O-list of Stockholmsborsen and is currently active in Sweden, Australia, China, Denmark, Malaysia, Norway and the UK and, via partners, in Belgium, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal and Spain.
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