Ocean Time ramps up

Ocean Time’s Dominic Lowe sets high standards for the boat brokerage company he founded a little over a year ago, after several years as GM for Windcraft NZ, selling new and used Hanse, Moody and Dehler yachts.

Apassionate boatie, Lowe has over 22 years’ experience selling yachts, here in New Zealand, where he’s lived for the last 16 years, in Europe and in the UK. He is in an excellent position to qualify buyers. Since launching Ocean Time in 2019, Lowe has concentrated on growing the business’ profile and building long-term relationships with customers.

Business has been better than he could have hoped for, says Lowe, and he has decided it is time for Ocean Time to move to the next level. From the beginning he was determined to do brokerage the way he thinks it should be done, not necessarily the way it has always been done in the past.

“It’s all about trust,” says Lowe, whose core values include communication, providing exceptional service and honesty. Those values have stood him in good stead so far: “Our clients have worked hard to get to a position where they can afford to invest in their lifestyle and a yacht. They are obviously intelligent and skilled people who appreciate transparency and expect a level of professionalism.”

Most of Ocean Time’s clients have become friends, says Lowe. Many are repeat customers, who look to Ocean Time to not only find them a new boat, but also to sell their existing vessel or simply give advice where appropriate.

Earlier this year, Lowe took on Jeremy Thatcher in a sales role, boosting Ocean Time’s ability to service its customers, an indication of the confidence he has in the company’s future, and Lowe’s wife Joanne is about to take up a senior role with Ocean Time.

Joanne has over 22 years experience working in a variety of management and project management roles within the corporate It/telecommunications sector, the last 14 as a Senior Project Manager for Vodafone NZ. She’s well used to dealing with company CEOS, CFOS and other senior management, a group that makes up a reasonable proportion of Ocean Time’s clients.

“Our skills are very complementary,” says Joanne. “Dominic is very much focused on sales and marketing, relationships with clients and ensuring sale and purchase processes work well for everyone. With my organisational, administration and managerial skills, I can focus on the rest of the business, taking some of the load off Dominic.”

Lowe also rates his wife’s communication skills and her attention to detail, both of which will greatly benefit the business going forward: “Jo and I have worked closely on many projects over the years, so I am very confident her invaluable skills will accelerate our company to the next level,” he says. “We’ve got so many great ideas for the business, combining Jo’s career experience and my own.”

With Joanne and Jeremy onboard, Lowe is ready to take the next steps. Ocean Time is expanding its operation to include new and pre-owned vessels from a variety of leading brands, monohull and multi-hull, power and sail – more details to follow.

“We are client-driven – I was told very early on in my sales career that you have two ears and one mouth – and they should be used in that ratio. Our clients dictate the products we represent but we will only represent products that we can be proud of,” says Lowe.

Ocean Time’s focus will be on its clients’ needs, whether putting them into a new boat or helping them buy and sell good quality pre-owned vessels. With Lowe’s extensive experience and international connections, Ocean Time is in a unique position to connect its customers with the boat style that suits their needs. Using its international partner network, Ocean Time can facilitate sales in New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific, as well as managing handovers overseas.

Ocean Time’s focus is on top quality products, presentation, marketing, communication and service. Its clients will enjoy the highest level of project management for their yachts and can expect next level after-sales support.

“Plus, as a New Zealand owned and operated company, our success will bring benefits to the New Zealand marine industry, and the economy as a whole,” says Lowe.

Ocean Time is based at Gulf Harbour Marina but services greater Auckland and valued clients all over New Zealand.