Progress was established as early as 1903 and has, from the very beginning, worked with products related to the maritime industry. Initially as a manufacturer of onboard machinery for ships, then as a producer of gears for use in, among other things, the offshore industry. Over the past 50 years, we have specialized in propulsion equipment for boats and smaller vessels.
Today, we represent some of the world’s leading manufacturers and can supply most components for propulsion systems, such as propeller systems, gearboxes, waterjet units, control systems, and various other types of marine equipment.
Progress Ingeniørfirma has seventeen employees and is based in modern and functional facilities in the northern part of Oslo and in Vestby, where we also have a new, large warehouse
Our workshop is equipped with test benches, presses, balancing machines, measuring tools, and everything needed for workshop operations. For marine gearboxes, waterjets, and other products requiring technical service, we have highly qualified personnel, the necessary machines, and special tools. We also have test rigs to ensure all functions are verified according to specifications.
The company is founded on November 19th as a partnership under the name “Progress Verktøimaskinfabrik.” Its main activity is the production of machine tools and other specialized machinery for Norwegian industry.
The name changes to Progress Tannhjul og Maskinfabrikk after specializing in gear production throughout the 1950s, becoming Norway’s largest gear manufacturer. In the same year, we become a distributor for Twin Disc and establish our agency division.
Manufacturing operations are separated into a new company named Progress Maskinering, owned 62% by employees and 38% by Progress Tannhjul og Maskinfabrikk.
Name changes to Progress Ingeniørfirma AS.
We take over as distributor for Michigan Propellers and Elastomuffle exhaust silencers.
We become the distributor for Hamilton waterjet units.
We expand our propulsion product portfolio with Aquadrive shaft systems and Halyard exhaust systems.
We add new products including Ballistic outboard propellers and Max Power bow thrusters. After 91 years, we relocate from Trondheimsveien to Frysja.
Progress Ingeniørfirma AS celebrates 100 years. We expand once more with drives from Twin Disc and shaft equipment.
We build a new workshop and service center to meet growing service demands.
Progress Ingeniørfirma AS is acquired by new owners and becomes part of the Trans Auto Group, owned by Axel Johnson AB.
In general, we can categorize propulsion systems into four types: shaft propellers, sterndrive/outboard motors, waterjets, and surface propellers.
Shaft Propellers
This is the most common form of propulsion. Typically, the system consists of an engine, marine gearbox, propeller shaft with hull penetration, and a rudder. This type of installation is usually the most cost-effective and provides good efficiency at lower speeds.
As one of Norway’s leading suppliers of propellers, we naturally have the necessary equipment to support our customers. In addition to four different computer-based calculation programs, we have equipment for dynamic balancing of propellers and tools for measuring the accuracy of both new and used propellers.
Sterndrive / Outboard Motors
Sterndrives became popular in the early 1960s and are common in high-speed boats. Due to their small propeller diameter, sterndrives generally have lower efficiency than shaft propellers at lower speeds. However, they offer significantly less drag than submerged propellers, resulting in higher overall efficiency at higher speeds.
Sterndrives also provide excellent maneuverability at low speeds—both forward and reverse—by steering the entire water stream. However, they are less robust than shaft-driven propellers and require more maintenance. There are also limitations to the amount of power that can be transmitted through a sterndrive.
Through Michigan Wheel, Progress offers several series of propellers for most outboards and sterndrives.
Waterjets
Waterjets became commercially available in the mid-20th century but have not become as widespread. They typically have lower efficiency than sterndrives and shaft-driven propellers in semi-planing speed ranges. However, at higher speeds, they offer excellent efficiency due to low water resistance.
Because no parts protrude beneath the hull, waterjets are the best propulsion option in shallow or debris-filled waters and for operation near people or submerged objects.
Waterjets also offer superior maneuverability, as the water stream can be vectored 360°. Additionally, waterjets are very robust, with few moving parts.
They can be installed with or without a marine gearbox. For all waterjet installations, we perform calculations of the vessel’s water resistance and the waterjet’s thrust. Hamilton is the world’s largest manufacturer of waterjet systems.
Surface Propellers
A surface drive system typically consists of an engine, gearbox, drive shaft, and a surface drive unit. A surface propeller operates such that at planing speed, it is 50% submerged and 50% above the water. This configuration, combined with low water resistance, provides excellent propeller efficiency at high speeds.
Overall, this is considered the most efficient propulsion method for high-speed vessels known today.
More information about these systems and our other products can be found in the relevant sections of our product catalogues.
Vi importerer og beregner komponenter til marine og industri bransjen
