Lighthouse Marine Equipment Ltd recently appointed a new technical team. Kirk Douglas and Shasa Thornton are based at the company’s Albany headquarters just north of Auckland, but service marine customers right around the country.
Highly qualified marine engineer Kirk Douglas heads up the team, bringing years of engineering, manufacturing and workshop experience, here in New Zealand and overseas, in a variety of areas including heavy machinery, hydraulic, electronic and electrical systems. In recent years he’s specialised in marine engineering, particularly system design for boat builders, marine architects and project managers. Previous employers include Maris Yachts, Craig Loomes Design (now LoMocean Design) and General Marine Services.
“I like helping people get things done and enjoy coming up with solutions to technical problems so that things work as they should,” Kirk explains.
Kenyan-born Shasa Thornton loves the boating lifestyle. An enthusiastic young sailor, he recently graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. Working under Douglas’ supervision, Shasa is a hands-on member of the Lighthouse team who, says Kirk, is making excellent progress in learning marine equipment sales, installation and servicing aspects of the company’s business while also coming to grips with the marine industry as a whole.
“I see the appointments [of Kirk and Shasa] as an investment in our customers and further evidence of our commitment to the New Zealand marine industry,” said Lighthouse Marine Equipment MD Mike Harris.
“Douglas is the whole package. He has the skills to develop products, the ability to document them properly and then to sell them – a real all-rounder. I’m also pleased we’ve been able to introduce a bright young man like Shasa to the marine industry. Both men are extremely customer focused and together offer a vast and complementary array of knowledge, experience and talent. I’m excited for the future,” Harris said.
The Lighthouse Tech Team offers technical support, equipment/system design, installation, repairs and sales support services for a huge range of marine equipment products Lighthouse supplies to boatbuilders, OEMs, chandlers and specialist retailers around New Zealand.
The pair is also involved in building, selling and installing Resolution Watermakers, a product designed and built by Lighthouse Marine Equipment Ltd. Kirk and Shasa are currently engaged in refinements to standardise all three Resolution Watermaker models, preparing comprehensive operation/service manuals, and in finalising packaging for export markets.