Paul Powney – Managing Director

Paul Powney has joined Lighthouse Marine Equipment Ltd as a major shareholder and Managing Director.

Paul’s marine industry credentials go back a long way, starting with the Royal New Zealand Navy where he was a weapons electrical mechanic, and including 21 years with Transdiesel, most recently as National Sales Manager, Consumables, and before that as Marine Sales Manager for 12 years.

“We wanted to take the business forward and felt the time was right for a push,” said Lighthouse MD Mike Harris, who welcomes Paul as a business partner.

“We needed someone with management and organisational skills, an understanding of process and structure and a good knowledge of the marine industry,” said Mike, “and with his business acumen, well rounded skill set and key international, national and corporate account sales experience, Paul was the obvious choice.”

Paul joined the team at end of March. He will concentrate on operational and commercial segments of the business, along with service, which is growing in importance.

“We see a gap in the marine service side we can fill, including cost effective service on the water makers we manufacture ourselves,” explains Powney.

Mike Harris will focus his attention on sales and OEM product development.

Paul says he hopes to bring a sharper focus to the business and take some of the load off Mike and Anna’s shoulders.

“Lighthouse represents some very strong brands in New Zealand and we intend to do an even better a job for our suppliers and customers,” says Paul.