Happy Friday #CSIPlus Community! For today’s CSI+ Meet the Member Interview, we will be joined by Jens Klein, the Business Development Manager of Marine at Amtico.
What do you do at your company, and in what circumstances would I come to you for something?
“I’m a Marine Sector Specialist, my role is to develop Amtico’s presence within the marine sector and support cruise operators, designers, shipyards and outfitters when specifying flooring for new build and refurbishment projects.
If you are working on a marine interior and need a flooring solution that balances design freedom with technical performance, I would typically be the first point of contact. My job is to connect with clients and support their specification decisions, ensuring projects run smoothly from concept through to delivery.
A big part of my role is also listening to what the industry needs. I spend time speaking with designers, architects and project teams to understand their challenges and help find practical solutions using Amtico’s products and expertise.”
What’s the biggest misconception people have about your position?
“Many people assume the role is mainly about travelling and meeting clients.
While travel is certainly an important part of the job, those meetings are usually just the starting point. They lead to detailed discussions around technical requirements, logistics and commercial planning as projects develop.
Supporting clients through those stages and helping turn early conversations into successful projects is a key part of the role.”
Does your company have any upcoming projects / events / exciting news that you can talk about?
“We have received very positive feedback from designers, cruise operators and outfitters about our possibilities with LVT in the marine sector, following the launch of Amtico Marine at CSI in Hamburg.
Following the unveiling of our Marine LVT collection, we have welcomed many customer visits and discussions with industry partners who are excited about the design possibilities the range offers – particularly in terms of bespoke colours, laying patterns and customisation options.
We are now in contact with many of the key players in the industry and working with several well-known cruise operators and design houses on upcoming new build and refurbishment projects.”
What has been your favourite cruise project to work on?
“At this stage, I can’t reveal specific names, but it has been exciting to see how designers are exploring the possibilities of the Amtico Marine collection and how it can be used across different areas of a vessel!”
What behaviour or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why?
“For me, communication and trust are the most important things. The better we understand our clients, the better we can support them. If we deliver what we promise and remain transparent and authentic, strong partnerships naturally develop. At the end of the day, business is built between people.”
Could you share the most significant obstacle you have faced in your career so far, particularly in cruise work? Or, have you ever encountered any problems in cruise work that required you to learn a new skillset?
“Many projects in the cruise industry operate under significant time and cost pressures. The key is to understand the requirements as early as possible and support clients throughout the project, especially when things do not go exactly as they planned. Being flexible, responsive and able to react quickly is essential. Diplomacy and good communication also play an important role in keeping projects moving forward.”
What inspired you to pursue this field of work? Or, what was your first taste of the cruise industry?
“My background is mainly in the marine sector, but I’ve also worked in aviation and other transport environments. What attracted me originally was how international and dynamic the industry is.
You work with people from all over the world – cruise operators, shipyards, designers and suppliers – all collaborating to create something unique. Every vessel is effectively a small floating city, so there are always new challenges and opportunities to solve. Once you start working in this sector, it’s very hard to leave. It becomes a passion.”
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
“People sometimes expect me to be very serious because of my work, but I actually enjoy having fun and not taking myself too seriously. I love spending time with my family and friends, travelling, discovering new places and meeting new people. Riding my motorbike is also something I really enjoy – it’s a great way to clear your head and think creatively. And when I’m not travelling for work, you’ll probably find me cooking, walking my dog or working in the garden.”
Do you specialise in a particular type of product? What makes it different to competitors?
“Amtico specialises in design-led luxury vinyl tile flooring, and the Amtico Marine collection brings that expertise into cruise and marine interiors.
What sets it apart is the combination of design flexibility and technical performance. Designers can combine a wide range of wood and stone designs with precision-cut laying patterns to create distinctive flooring layouts across a vessel. Amtico also offers a bespoke Design Service to support custom colours, laying patterns and motifs or logos.
Importantly, Amtico Marine is IMO-certified and approved by Lloyd’s Register Verification to the Marine Equipment Directive, ensuring the flooring meets the strict safety and performance standards required for marine environments.”
If you could recommend only one of your products, what would it be?
“I couldn’t pick one – it would have to be the whole Amtico Marine LVT flooring collection! With 56 Woods, Stones and Colours, a wide choice of laying patterns, stripping options, enhancements such as Amtico Bio and Amtico Safety, and bespoke design freedom, it offers designers a great deal of creative flexibility when developing interiors for cruise ships, and vessels of all sizes.”
What kind of questions do you ask before beginning a project, and which piece of information is of utmost value in planning a successful project?
“Understanding the timeline and project volumes is very important, but at an early stage it is also essential to know who is involved on the client side and which external partners may be part of the project. Having a clear overview of the stakeholders helps ensure the right discussions take place early and that the project can move forward efficiently.”
What role does sustainability play in your company? How do you incorporate environmentally friendly practices and materials?
“Sustainability is an important focus across the cruise industry and wider design sector. At Amtico, this work is guided by our Responsible Foundations strategy, which focuses on fighting climate change, reducing waste and empowering people.
One example is Amtico Bio, which uses bio-attributed PVC to replace fossil fuel feedstocks with renewable biomass alternatives. This can reduce the embodied carbon of Amtico LVT by 20%-28%, while maintaining the same performance and finish. For marine projects, designers can specify Amtico Marine with 36% bio-attributed content, helping support environmental goals without compromising durability or design flexibility.”
What goals have you met so far in 2026? Or, what goals/milestones are you working to meet this year?
“Our goal is to make a strong impact in the marine sector with our new range and services.
So far, we have received a growing number of enquiries for potential projects, and the response from the industry has been very encouraging. Designers and clients have shown strong interest in the range and the possibilities it offers.”
What do you enjoy most about working in the marine interiors sector?
“The people and the creativity. The cruise interiors industry has a very strong sense of community. It feels like a family of specialists who come together to find the best possible solutions for each project. At the same time, the expectations are very high. Designers are constantly looking for new materials, new ideas and more sustainable solutions that enhance the guest experience on board. That constant innovation makes the work very exciting.”
Thanks for joining us for a great interview Jens Klein!
