CSS SA (Company Services Swiss SA), the Swiss company for production and installation of polyurethane field joint coatings for marine contractors (Saipem, MC Dermott, NPCC, L&T, Leigthon, Subsea7) and in the installation and maintenance of offshore structures including pipelines and platforms, and Drafinsub, the Italian company specialised in underwater operations in both shallow and deep waters for the onshore and offshore sectors, have initiated a merger process
This merger will establish a synergetic hub for integrated services concerning infrastructures and underwater pipelines, ranging from pre-installation inspections, installation and maintenance, all the way to testing and commissioning of facilities.
Following the merger and consolidation of the shares of the two companies, a new holding company, named CSS Drafinsub Holding SA is established. This holding company is headquarted in Chiasso, Switzerland, with operating bases in Italy - Genoa, Castelnuovo Bocca d’Adda and Sicily – as well as in Malaysia (Johor), the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi and Dubai) and Mexico (Mexico City). Fabio Valentini, currently CEO of CSS SA, will serve as chairman of the holding company, while Gianluca Passeri, currently CEO of Drafinsub, will become managing director, and Walter D'Aniello will take on the role of general manager.
"This integration propels CSS and Drafinsub's subsea services into an international dimension, covering the entire spectrum of underwater services in port areas, dam basins and offshore. It provides extraction companies with the opportunity to engage with a single point of contact for all aspects related to the construction and management of marine pipelines," explains Valentini. "The merger positions us well to preside over key areas of the Mediterranean, the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Middle East and West Africa within a rapidly expanding market valued at approx. US$1bn worldwide. Our objective is growing internally as well as considering possible further acquisitions within the sector."
The synergistic merger between Drafinsub and CSS SA and the integration of various expertise will create a global entity capable of offering a wide range of integrated and coordinated services to major marine contractors. The integration of diverse expertise will ensure a service more oriented towards satisfying and supporting its clients.
