Brunswick New Technologies has appointed a US-based president to run its New Zealand navigation technology firm, Navman, but says there is no risk of it moving overseas.
Founded by chairman Peter Maire, Navman was bought by US company Brunswick for $108 million last year.
It is expected to generate $400
million of revenue this year.
Brunswick New Technologies president T.J. Chung said protecting Navman's culture of innovation while expanding the business and broadening the management team was a key consideration.
"We have to be very careful to maintain the original culture that made the company so great," he said.
The opening of a $4 million Auckland head office on March 22 was evidence of Brunswick's commitment to Navman's future here.
"You think we would spend all that money on a new building if the future is not here?
"That in itself is the single most visible testimony of our commitment to New Zealand for Navman."
Chung said Navman would be targeting growth in the US, particularly for car navigation technology.
"To date, Navman's sales have been predominantly in Europe. America is the biggest market of all and we need to focus our attention on penetrating that market."
Fewer than 10 per cent of US cars are built with navigation devices, compared to about half of all new cars in Japan.
New president Voyl Divljakovic will spend several months in New Zealand learning about Navman before relocating to the US.
Divljakovic said he intended to listen and learn before using his experience to "teach if I can".
"Part of Navman's culture is it's a New Zealand company and I have no plans of changing it.
"When you look at Navman it has probably the smartest people in the Brunswick Corporation.
"Everywhere I go I meet exceptional individuals dedicated to the company."
Meanwhile, Jim Doyle, president of Navman integrated operations, was appointed chief operating officer for Brunswick New Technologies.
Doyle will have operational responsibility for all BNT business units, including Navman, and will be based in Auckland.
"Including Peter Maire as chairman of the company, we are going to make all relevant decisions together in a sense that's not going to disrupt Navman's prospects and growth but rather stimulate it," Divljakovic said.
Previously he was the executive vice-president of Brunswick's Life Fitness division.
Brunswick New Technologies has appointed a US-based president to run its New Zealand navigation technology firm, Navman, but says there is no risk of it moving overseas.
Founded by chairman Peter Maire, Navman was bought by US company Brunswick for $108 million last year.
It is expected to generate $400
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