Furuno ups stake in ENL

FURUNO HAS INCREASED its shareholding in New Zealand marine electronics company ENL from 10 per cent announced in July 2014 to 29.5 per cent.

Founded in 1945, ENL has represented Furuno in the New Zealand for more than 50 years. ENL’S business includes R&D, product management and manufacturing.

ENL manufactures WASSP, an award winning multibeam sonar system that produces 3D topographic imagery of the seafloor and associated fish detection. WASSP has established itself as a leader in this specialised and technically demanding market with systems sold into the commercial fishing, defence, survey and mapping, and superyacht sectors.

ENL Group’s managing director Gareth Hodson says its in-house development of WASSP boosted ties between ENL and Furuno with the two companies collaborating on specialist projects.

“Furuno’s financial investment in ENL will strengthen our position with the Furuno brand in New Zealand and the South Pacific, while also offering opportunities to expand our R&D and global export business from New Zealand,” he says.

Furuno Electric Co Ltd managing director FROM LEFT: ENL Group’s managing director Gareth Hodson, FEC’S senior managing director Hiroyuki Mori, managing director and divisional manager Muneyuki Koike.

Muneyuki Koike expects much from his company’s investment.

“ENL’S multibeam technology will be an essential element in our product portfolio and we will leverage the technology for all kinds of maritime customers, from professional fishermen to recreational boaters. This is a natural step for us due to the synergy between the two companies, cultivated over decades,” says Mr Koike.

Since 2010 ENL has grown from a traditional family business to an established and world renowned high-tech exporter with a key international stakeholder in Furuno.