Navman finds high-tech home

The support of Brunswick chairman George Buckley (left) was key to rebuilding the Northcote office, says Navman founder Peter Maire (right). Picture / Greg Bowker

Navigation technology company Navman opened a multi-million-dollar Auckland head office yesterday more in keeping with the polished high-tech image that has brought it success.

All 450 Auckland-based employees, including research, design, manufacture, sales and accounting, are now based in a Dr Who Tardis-like building, which includes a gym and meeting rooms with marker-pen-friendly walls and windows.

After numerous moves since the company was established in 1988, founder and chairman Peter Maire said research engineers would get the best working environment.

"These guys suffered some pretty awful conditions - cramped, often too hot," he said.

"So it's a tribute to these guys, who have done so much to drive company growth, that we can have a facility like this."

The rebuilding of a Northcote warehouse created 7900sq m of space on three floors, took more than a year and cost more than $4 million.

Navman, which was bought by US marine and leisure technology company Brunswick for $108 million last year, is expected to generate revenue of about $400 million this year.

The global positioning system technology developer is expanding into areas such as car navigation, wireless data, fleet tracking and recreation.

Maire said the support of Brunswick was key to getting the new building and achieving future goals. "We knew we had a partner to share our vision ... of a $1 billion company. I'm sure when we get close to one billion we'll push that out to five."

New customers such as Sony were the result of global credibility derived from partnership with Brunswick.

"You've got a US$5 billion ($6.8 billion) company with a proven track record and it's kind of what New Zealand needs," Maire said.

Brunswick chief executive and chairman George Buckley reinforced his company's support for the New Zealand-based operation.

"It's a testimony to the creativity of Navman's people ... and to the ingenuity I see when I come to New Zealand," he said.

Prime Minister Helen Clarke opened the building.