Viken Group Acquires Italian Design Studio Hot Lab

Established by leading design firm TDoS only two months ago, Viken Group is already highlighting its strength in the market through its latest partnership. Formed in an effort to provide global expertise to several yacht and cruise-line design and build sectors, the group’s new acquisition of Hot Lab aims to benefit its growing portfolio.

The acquisition of Hot Lab comes as Viken Group’s latest move in a series of strategic partnerships and acquisitions, all intended to strengthen its ‘global offering of comprehensive design, naval architecture and project management services’. 

Since its founding in Milan in 2004, Hot Lab has become renowned for its ‘Architecture for Voyagers’ approach, which sees a ‘renewed balance’ between luxury and style onboard forward-thinking superyachts. Gaining dozens of international awards and world-wide recognition, the studio’s intelligent approach to yacht design is formed on calculated research and innovative thinking. 

Hot Lab’s Design Manager Enrico Lumini commented: ‘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.’

The studio will join Italian design and naval architecture firm Thalia Marine, who became the first firm to be acquired by Viken Group following the announcement of its establishment earlier this year, as well as TDoS. The new partnership will welcome a, ‘cost-efficient, customised service’ with an additional, ‘streamlined production process’, tailored to each client. 

‘Becoming part of the Viken Group is something that makes us extremely proud. It is but more demonstration of our accomplishments to date and the promise of the development of even greater projects in the future,’ added Antonio Romano, Marketing Manager at Hot Lab.

Hot Lab will continue to operate from its offices in Milan, with both company founders Enrico Lumini and Antonio Romano remaining at the forefront of its design approach. 

Stefan Nilsson, CEO of Viken Group stated: ‘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, which also comprise TDoS’s expertise in comprehensive cruise ship and large yacht design, and Thalia Marine’s technical brilliance. We are well on our way to realising our vision to be better together for our employees and our clients, while striving for our overall goal of a better tomorrow.’

CEO of TDoS, Madelene Hall, commented: ‘the acquisition of Hot Lab will both enrich and strengthen our cruise business. Collaborations between TDoS and Hot Lab will infuse the DNA of private luxury yacht design into cruise ships, thereby facilitating 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.’

TDoS’s Yacht Director Daniel Nerhagen added: ‘the acquisition allows TDoS to maintain its focus on cruise ships and large yachts while continuing to hone its unrivalled expertise in large ship back-of-house operations, meeting SOLAS regulations and cost-effective design solutions. 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.’