Strategy

Our strategy, The Wärtsilä Way, answers three questions in terms of company direction: why, where and how. The Wärtsilä Way defines our purpose, target position, strategic priorities, and values.

The Wärtsilä way

Why

The way forward is guided by the purpose: it describes the reason why our company exists and sets the direction for how everyone at Wärtsilä can make a difference for the world. Wärtsilä’s purpose is “Enabling sustainable societies through innovation in technology and services”.

Where

The target position, "Shaping the Decarbonisation of Marine and Energy", reflects our ambition as a company: where does Wärtsilä want to be in the long term. Wärtsilä’s target position is focused on customers, people, and performance.

How

The strategic priorities define Wärtsilä’s most important focus areas in order for us to reach the target position. They outline the company direction in terms of reaching profitable growth, and clearly formulate the biggest opportunities for a positive impact on Wärtsilä's performance. The values unite everyone at Wärtsilä and bring the strategy to life by guiding our behaviour when working together. Wärtsilä’s values are Customer success, Passion, and Performance.

Wärtsilä's strategy is based on two key themes: Transform and Perform

The decarbonisation transformation of both the marine and energy sectors is accelerating. It will be made possible by numerous new technologies and alternative fuels. Wärtsilä is set for performance and is well-positioned to drive this transformation. Led by the key themes, we are embarking on a new phase in Wärtsilä’s development – Shaping the decarbonisation of marine and energy.

Strategy - Transform and Perform

Transform

Decarbonisation will transform the world and creates new business opportunities both in marine and energy. In marine, there will be an unprecedented rate of change in new build and existing fleet. Regulations and the demand for green transport will accelerate change. In energy, electricity generation is expected to grow by 3X and renewables by 8X by 2050. By 2030, the balancing power market is expected to grow by 10X. As a technology leader in the decarbonisation transformation, Wärtsilä has significant value creation potential as a pioneer and leading partner for decarbonisation. The company is the front-runner in sustainable fuel technologies, for both carbon neutral and zero carbon fuels, such as biofuels, methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen blends, while at the same time delivering technologies that maximise energy efficiency when using fossil fuels. Wärtsilä has a leading position in power system optimisation of different generating assets, where both energy storage and thermal balancing power solutions play a key role. In marine, Wärtsilä is a pioneer in electric drivetrains, carbon capture solutions, and in digital offerings related to marine optimisation. The company is also partnering up to offer complementary technologies for the decarbonisation transformation.

Perform

Wärtsilä is well-positioned to leverage market recovery and growth. The organic growth is driven by opportunities in decarbonisation, as well as in services. This organic growth is complemented by potential partnerships and synergistic bolt-on acquisitions. The existing installed base provides a strong foundation for services growth. Moving up the service value ladder has significant growth potential, both in marine and energy, and is supported by our strong offering in the transactional services business, and by performance-based agreements. The green transformation provides a notable opportunity for retrofits and conversions.  We focus on performance excellence and robust execution, building on transparency and accountability in our businesses. All our businesses have clear profit and loss responsibility, enabling decisions to be made closer where customer value is created. To create sustainable long-term value, we foster high performing teams with focus on continuous improvement. In doing so, we believe in attracting and retaining the best talent whom we care about and develop. The strong balance sheet and financing structure support the strategy execution. Wärtsilä has clear financial targets and a strong commitment to realise them. With clear capital allocation principles and active portfolio management, we are set to deliver long-term shareholder value.

Strategic priorities

Our strategic priorities define our most important focus areas to reach our target position "Shaping the Decarbonisation of Marine and Energy". The priorities outline the main areas we will work with to get to our target position and clearly formulate our biggest opportunities that have a positive impact on our growth and financial performance.

Excel in creating customer value

We continuously evolve our understanding of, and responsiveness to, our customers to make them successful.

Develop high performing teams that make a difference

We attract high performing people and excite diverse teams that excel in continuous learning and collaboration. Our leaders provide direction and support, empowering people to act.

Drive decarbonisation in marine and energy

We accelerate decarbonisation in marine and energy through innovation, focused investments, and selective partnerships, while also decarbonising our own operations. We provide optimisation solutions and are a thought leader in the industries we serve.

Capture growth in services

We excel in transactional and retrofit business. We move up the service value ladder by growing in performance-based agreements.

Continuously improve our end-to-end value chain

We continuously improve our end-to-end business to meet customer expectations on quality, lead time and delivery accuracy, while reducing complexity and improving competitiveness. We leverage digitalisation throughout our value chain.

Business model

Wärtsilä provides the marine and energy markets with innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions. In the energy industry, Wärtsilä offers power system optimisation with a portfolio of future fuel enabled thermal balancing power solutions, hybrid solutions, as well as energy management and storage systems on an equipment only or turnkey delivery basis. The marine offering includes power and propulsion systems, as well as exhaust treatment applications, gas solutions, and shaft line solutions. Wärtsilä has the capabilities needed to combine its marine products into larger integrated systems and solutions. Wärtsilä’s portfolio of services ranges from spare parts and technical expertise to performance-based agreements that ensure a maximised installation lifetime, increased efficiency, and guaranteed performance. The company aims at maximising environmental and economic performance by emphasising innovation in sustainable technology and services.

To support its geographically dispersed customer base, Wärtsilä’s sales and service network covers more than 200 locations in 79 countries around the world. Wärtsilä operates primarily through its subsidiaries and strategic joint ventures. The company’s manufacturing model is assembly-based, thus emphasising the importance of developing long-term relationships with its global network of suppliers, which includes approximately 1,000 global direct material suppliers. Wärtsilä’s personnel is made up of approximately 17,500 employees comprising 127 nationalities. By recruiting and retaining the best talent, Wärtsilä can be the most valued business partner to its customers, and the employer of choice for current and future employees. Wärtsilä is committed to conducting its business in a responsible manner, and requires its suppliers and business partners to follow the same high legal and ethical standards and business practices.