ShibataFenderTeam’s Sollana Factory in full Operation
Over the past year, the Sollana factory has successfully transitioned from a newly commissioned plant into a key manufacturing facility, supporting projects across Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. Fully integrated within ShibataFenderTeam‘s global manufacturing network, the facility plays an active role in delivering the quality, flexibility and service that customers expect from SFT.
Since production began, the facility has steadily expanded its activity, manufacturing foam fenders and steel structures for a growing number of orders. Alongside day-to-day production, the team has also taken on increasingly demanding work, including large-scale Donut Fenders and complex Pile Fender systems requiring advanced manufacturing expertise, precise execution and close coordination across multiple disciplines. These projects have demonstrated not only the facility’s capabilities but also the professionalism and commitment of the team behind them.
A defining characteristic of the Sollana facility is its ability to combine flexibility with close collaboration. The site’s foam fender and steel fabrication operations are capable of working independently on specialized projects while also supporting one another when required. The same principle extends across ShibataFenderTeam’s wider manufacturing network, where plants reliably coordinate expertise, resources and production capacity to provide customers with consistent quality worldwide.
Growth during the first year has not only been measured in production activity, but also in knowledge and experience. The workforce has expanded while continuing to build expertise through training and day-to-day collaboration with colleagues across the Group. As a result, the plant has developed a strong operational foundation while strengthening the manufacturing standards that define ShibataFenderTeam worldwide.
In-House Testing Capabilities & Group-wide Quality
Another important milestone has been the development of the plant’s in-house testing capabilities for foam fender systems. Already in operation, the hydraulic test press enables performance verification of foam fenders, further strengthening product quality assurance and supporting future research and development activities. At the same time, the laboratory is being prepared to perform the full range of foam fender testing in accordance with the recommendations of the PIANC 2024 Fender Guidelines.
In addition, the laboratory Team is supporting Group-wide quality assurance and process development initiatives, contributing to improved documentation, enhanced traceability and the continued standardization of manufacturing processes across the Group.
The plants integration within the Group has also been reinforced through the achievement of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, as well as its inclusion within ShibataFenderTeam’s Type Approval framework for foam fender products.
“The Sollana factory has rapidly become an integral part of ShibataFenderTeam’s global manufacturing network,” said Dominique Polte, Board Member of ShibataFenderTeam. “In just one year, the team has established a strong operational foundation while demonstrating the quality, expertise and customer focus that define our Group worldwide. The successful integration of the plant further strengthens our ability to support customers through reliable manufacturing, technical excellence and close cooperation across our global operations.”
Daniel Lacueva, Plant Manager at ShibataFenderTeam Spain, added: “The first year of operations has been a period of continuous growth and development. We have expanded our team, increased production activity and developed valuable expertise across a wide range of manufacturing processes. Most importantly, we have established a plant capable of supporting complex projects with the quality standards our customers expect.”
Today, with customer projects being delivered regularly and new orders progressing through production, the Sollana factory has become a vital part of ShibataFenderTeam’s global manufacturing footprint. Its successful first year of operations reinforces the Group’s commitment to in-house manufacturing, engineering excellence and long-term investment in the capabilities required to serve customers around the world.
