Whanganui Engineering & Marine establishes Whanganui Boating Centre

Whanganui Boating Centre's Michelle Whittaker and Andre Lewer are excited the business is now the Whanganui agent for Suzuki's marine engines.

A long-standing Whanganui business has marked its increasing interest in the marine industry by establishing Whanganui Boating Centre.

Whanganui Engineering & Marine owners Adam and Janet Lamont bought the business in 2009 and now have a staff of 19 plus an administration office manager.

The owners saw an opportunity to use the experience of their existing staff in the pleasure marine sales and servicing market in the Whanganui-Manawatū region and, with the growth of the marine side of the business in recent years, have now established Whanganui Boating Centre as its own entity.

Whanganui Boating Centre, which operates from a purpose-built building on the Heads Rd-Gilberd St corner, employs experienced marine technicians Andre Lewer and Steve Taylor.

The business does boat servicing, new and used engine sales, electronics, trailer repairs, aluminium fabrication and recently became the Whanganui agent for Suzuki marine engines.

"With Suzuki, we're looking forward to building customer relationships and providing a good service for a product we believe in," Lewer said.

He is a certified aluminium welder and makes targa tops, aluminium additions or repairs to boats and does insurance work.

"I've been in the marine trade for 15 years," Lewer said.

"I've been involved with boat manufacturing and I'm a factory-trained Yamaha technician.

"We've just employed Steve, who has over 25 years' experience and is Mercury trained and experienced and has owned a boat franchise.

"We have both had overseas experience with deliveries and commissioning."

Office administrator Michelle Whittaker said now that the business was the agent for Suzuki, a showroom selling engines and parts would be added to the front of the premises.

The showroom is scheduled to open early next year.