Rangitīkei Mayor Andy Watson said the change was "really exciting" for Marton. File photo / Bevan Conley
Rangitīkei Mayor Andy Watson said the change was "really exciting" for Marton. File photo / Bevan Conley
A Marton couple's purchase of a local business is cause for great celebration in the Rangitīkei region.
Richard and Jo Coxon are the new owners of Marton's Gallagher fuel systems business, where Richard has been the managing director for 17 years, and there are plans to extend operations and increasethe staff of 100.
The Marton-based business invented the first petrol pump with a microprocessor, and has been owned by Gallagher since 1999 when the group purchased PEC.
PEC had three divisions: retail electronics, fuel dispensers, and a security card access control manufacturing operation. Gallagher sold the retail arm, moved the security card operation to its Hamilton headquarters, while the design and development of fuel dispensers stayed in Marton.
Coxon, who has worked for the Gallagher Group for 31 years, has seen the benefits of running a business based in a rural town and wanted to retain the expertise and loyalty of the Marton staff.
"You get that loyalty and longevity that you don't tend to see in cities, and you can really grow the expertise of a workforce.
"And it's a great community made up of great people."
The company will continue to provide electronics for Gallagher and its contract manufacturing arm, which provides electronics for more than 20 companies in New Zealand and Australia.
Alongside that, Coxon has plans to manufacture green hydrogen and supply New Zealand and overseas markets.
"There's an exciting future ahead. A new generation of energy and energy sources are going to have to be invested for the country - and for the world," he said.
Jo and Richard Coxon (centre) with Gallagher Fuel Systems director Geoff Copstick (left) and Gallagher Group chief executive Kahl Betham.
And what is green hydrogen?
"To explain it in basic terms - hydrogen is produced by the process of the electrolysis of water where the hydrogen is separated from the oxygen," said Coxon.
"If a renewable source such as solar or wind-generated energy is used to produce the electricity, you get clean, green hydrogen."
Coxon said New Zealand, with its abundance of water, was well placed to lead the production of clean energy.
"The possibilities are huge - not only are we looking at domestic and transport usage but green hydrogen can also be used to power backup generators. Some countries are looking at decommissioning nuclear power plants and replacing them with clean energy."
The new owners see huge possibilities for green hydrogen production. Photo / Getty Images
He envisaged the expansion of the business would require more staff and said he would be looking to hire local talent.
Rangitīkei Mayor Andy Watson attended a celebratory function held at the business in Station Rd on Friday night.
"It is really exciting for Marton," Watson said.
"We had a guided tour and they have some fantastic technology there.
"The business has always been an excellent employer of local people and Richard and Jo are very committed to the community.
"Not only are they a good local business and employer, but they support the community with sponsorship for things like the children's swimming programme, which they've been doing for a few years now."
The Coxons became the official owners of the business this week and they are yet to decide on a new company name.
