Although less well known in the American market than their competitors, Navman is a global leader in GSP technology. Based in New Zealand, the company carries a wide range of navigation technology devices and is a top manufacturer of marine electronics and GPS receivers.
Navman products include satellite GPS receivers, chart plotters, fuel flow measurement devices, boat speed gauges, depth and wind instruments, autopilots, and fish-finders.
They have become a leader in car navigation products, producing their own route planning and navigation software designed for the Pocket PC: SmartST V2 Pocket PC. Similar software products are available for other operating systems.
All Navman products are top of the line and state of the art. For example, the iCN 635 and 650 are unique transferable in-car navigation systems with remote control. The similar Pocket iCN 510 is the stand-alone equivalent.
Of special interest to today’s consumers are Navman’s GPS attachments for handheld PDAs. The GPS 3450 fits the iPAQ (Pocket PC) and the GPS 4460 works with Palm OS. In fact, Navman is the only manufacturer to offer products that support Windows, Palm, and Pocket PC operating systems. Their handheld GPS clip-on jackets have revolutionized the world of wireless communication and in-car telematics. These devices are designed to work with a number of the leading handheld PDAs on the market today.
Think Big, Think Global
Company president, Peter Maire, one of the founders of Navman, was quoted as saying he is motivated by the thrill of exporting - not the money. No wonder the company was recently named New Zealand’s supreme exporter of the year.As evidence of their exporting prowess, the company has completed final shipment of Navman GPS technology to the German Road Toll Programme. Worth in excess of $NZ40M, this project electronically collects road tax from heavy trucks on Germany’s autobahn. This system is interoperable with other countries, providing the opportunity to establish a standard for road toll collection systems across Europe. Navman is engaged in several additional road toll projects around the world.
Buyout Fuels Growth
Navman was established in 1988. In 2003, Brunswick Corporation, a global marine company, took a controlling interest in Navman NZ Limited, by purchasing 70% of the outstanding shares of Navman from the non-management shareholders. Navman NZ staff members hold the remaining 30 percent, and Maire and Chief Operating Officer Steven Newman are part of a new six-member board of directors.The new alliance is seen as a positive move; partnering with an international company will allow Navman to achieve its dream of being one of the biggest marine electronics businesses in the world.