Furuno General Manager of International Marketing Visits Electronic Navigation Ltd (New Zealand)

Furuno Japan’s General Manager of International Marketing, Shigenori Ametani was in New Zealand recently, visiting with local distributor Electronic Navigation Ltd (ENL).

While on his visit here, Mr Ametani had the opportunity to visit much of New Zealand’s commercial fishing industry with visits to fishing companies Sanford’s in Auckland and Timaru, and Sealord’s and Talley’s Deep Sea Division in Nelson.

Mr Ametani said that his impression of the New Zealand fishing industry was very good and the market was positive in general.

“I think the New Zealand fishing industry is very positive at the moment. I don’t think it will be like it was in it’s ‘hay days’, but it’s a well managed, sustainable fishery, and what we’re (Furuno) trying to do is to help the fisherman catch faster and more efficiently,” said Mr Ametani.

“Furuno as a brand has had some great success with our acoustic (sounder/sonar) technology here, and it’s the New Zealand fishing industry’s positive approach towards adopting new technology that has made it so successful.”

Ametani commented that much of the success of the Furuno brand in New Zealand was down to ENL as a distributor and their sharp focus on marketing.

“ENL is a market leader, and their 64 years in the industry is testament to this. The 45-year-old ENL/Furuno relationship really goes back to the strength of service and commitment to the customer. ENL has always been innovative with it’s marketing and they really put Furuno on the map here in New Zealand in pleasure boat, super yacht and commercial sectors.”

Also while in New Zealand, Mr Ametani had a chance to look through ENL’s own research and development and manufacturing departments in Auckland, where the company designs and manufactures its own wide-angle (120 degree) multi-beam (112 beam) sonar system– WASSP (Wide Angle Sonar Seafloor Profiler).

“ENL is very unique in what they do. Not only do they distribute world class electronics products on a very professional level, but they have a brilliant understanding of what the market needs – and are able to develop this world class innovative technology right here in the heart of Auckland,” said Mr Ametani.

Mr Ametani said that Furuno had weathered the global recession well and had predicted a slowdown early on and had taken prudent steps early.

“Furuno has been the largest supplier of deep sea electronics equipment to the merchant sector for the last five years, and this is our strongest performing marine division.”

Mr Ametani said that now the main focus for the company is getting prepared, developing new products and being ready for when the market fully recovers in all marine sectors.”

About Electronic Navigation Limited

Electronic Navigation Ltd (ENL) is New Zealand’s premier marine electronics company.

Founded in 1946, ENL is a privately-owned company that has earned a solid reputation for genuine service, innovation and supplying quality marine electronic products, with over 60 years experience within the marine industry.

Through a comprehensive network of technical service dealers and recreational dealers, ENL excels at its traditional activity of providing nationwide distribution of marine electronics.

ENL also has an extensive R&D facility that develops their class leading Wide Angle Sonar Seafloor Profiler (WASSP).

About Furuno

Since its inception in 1948, when the world’s first fish finder was commercialised, FURUNO ELECTRIC CO., LTD. has been responding to the needs of the maritime industry through developing various types of marine electronics. Today, FURUNO is a total marine electronics manufacturer operating on a global scale with a great many loyal customers.

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Source: enl ,February 21, 2011;