Viken Group announces the acquisition of the Italian Yacht Design and Architecture firm Hot Lab. The acquisition is the latest in a series of strategic partnerships and acquisitions strengthening Viken Group’s global offering of comprehensive design, naval architecture, and project management services to both the cruise line and yachting industries.
An exciting start for Viken Group
Established in early 2022, Viken Group was formed by world-renown design firm Tillberg Design of Sweden (TDoS). This was done to provide global expertise in multiple targeted areas of yacht and cruise line design and build.
HotLab’s “Architecture for Voyagers” approach to the design of its forward-leaning superyacht projects has garnered the firm dozens of prestigious international awards and accolades since its founding in Milan in 2004. It’s an intelligent yet simple approach to design. It relies heavily on calculated research and a purposeful balance between functional style and luxury.
The Italian yacht design firm Hot Lab joins the Viken umbrella
Hot Lab joins TDoS and the Italian design and naval architecture firm Thalia Marine under the Viken Group umbrella. This exciting new collaboration will facilitate cost-efficient, customised service with a streamlined production process for each client. Hot Lab will maintain its office and employees in Milan, Italy. The company founders Enrico Lumini and Antonio Romano will remain at the helm.
“We have always focused on the quality of our design and on the professionalism of the entire Hot Lab team. As a proud extension of the Viken Group family, we can only increase both,” says Enrico Lumini, Design Manager Hot Lab.
“Becoming part of the Viken Group is something that makes us extremely proud. It is but one more demonstration of our accomplishments to date and the promise of the development of even greater projects in the future,” adds Antonio Romano Marketing Manager Hot Lab.
“We are thrilled to welcome Hot Lab and its employees to Viken Group. Hot Lab’s Architecture for Voyagers approach is a welcome addition to our Group’s global offerings. It also comprises TDoS’s expertise in comprehensive cruise ship and large yacht design, and Thalia Marine’s technical brilliance. We are well on our way to realizing our vision to be better together for our employees and our clients while striving for our overall goal of a better tomorrow,” says Stefan R. Nilsson Group CEO Viken.
What this acquisition means for TDoS
The acquisition allows TDoS to maintain its focus on cruise ships and large yachts while continuing to hone its unrivaled expertise in large ship back-of-house operations, meeting SOLAS regulations, and cost-effective design solutions. We are well versed in the design and management of large projects. We routinely coordinate with various experts in multiple areas. These range from lighting to naval architecture, to ensure the best possible product for the end users. Viken Group’s strategic coordination allows TDoS to continue our exploration and expansion of sustainable design within the simplistic and natural approach that is inherent to our Scandinavian design heritage,” says Daniel Nerhagen TDoS Yacht Director.
“The acquisition of Hot Lab will both enrich and strengthen our cruise business Hall. “Collaborations between TDoS and Hot Lab will infuse the DNA of private luxury yacht design into cruise ships. Thereby it will facilitate the design of super luxurious and efficient cruise ships. At the same time, our yacht brand will benefit from the commercial knowledge that we have from decades of experience in the cruise ship segment,” says Madelene Hall CEO TDoS.
About the yacht and cruise conglomerate Viken Group
Established in 2022, Viken Group is a conglomerate that aims at providing a full range of comprehensive design, naval architecture, and project management services to both the cruise line and yachting industries. Viken Group is comprised of multiple brands and strategic partnerships. It provides complementary and comprehensive services and expertise to each facet of the yacht and cruise business.
About Italian luxury yacht design studio Hot Lab
Established in Milan, Italy by Antonio Romano and Enrico Lumini, Hot Lab is a yacht design and naval architecture firm. It has distinguished itself globally with forward-leaning, award-winning yacht designs. They display the firm’s “Architecture for Voyagers” approach to balanced and purposeful luxury.
