100 People Behind Bay Business - 2023
100 People Behind Bay Business profiles Bay businesses in an intelligent, insightful and inspiring way so readers can learn more about them, their expertise, experience, offering and their business.
100 People Behind Bay Business profiles Bay businesses in an intelligent, insightful and inspiring way so readers can learn more about them, their expertise, experience, offering and their business.
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MARINE | PEOPLE<br />
SUPER YACHT COATINGS<br />
far more than superyachts<br />
Although the company specialises in superyachts, local marine industry specialist Super Yacht<br />
Coatings has many more strings to its bow than superyachts. The company also has a strong<br />
presence in the pleasure and commercial marine sectors; the local 30-70 foot launch and yacht<br />
market for example is a busy sector for them.<br />
From their world-class operations<br />
HQ located in the <strong>Bay</strong>,<br />
complimented by their Auckland<br />
division, Super Yacht Coatings<br />
manages projects worldwide. We spoke<br />
to two of their key people, Mark Hanna<br />
and Ben Steele, and discovered a winning<br />
blend of craftsmanship and passion.<br />
MARK HANNA<br />
Director<br />
Mark’s career in the marine industry has<br />
spanned more than 20 years, beginning in<br />
2003 as a painter and fairer with Southern<br />
Ocean Marine in Tauranga.<br />
Travelling extensively around the<br />
world, he has developed an impressive<br />
industry knowledge – tips and tricks of the<br />
trade he now enjoys passing on to his own<br />
team at Super Yacht Coatings, a company<br />
he and business partner Regan Woodward<br />
established in 2011.<br />
“Our New Zealand marine industry is<br />
world-class, and we are extremely proud<br />
to be part of it”, says Mark.<br />
Asked about the key to his success,<br />
his answer comes quickly: “I constantly<br />
challenge myself to improve and achieve<br />
more. Every boat comes with its own<br />
unique challenges, and we always aim<br />
to deliver the best work, using the most<br />
up-to-date, high-quality products, in the<br />
most efficient ways. In this business you<br />
are always learning and adapting.”<br />
Working from their impressive,<br />
purpose-built facility in Tauranga’s<br />
Sulphur Point, Mark reflects on how far he<br />
has come in his 20 years in the industry:<br />
“With this facility, and the team we have<br />
built, both here and in Auckland, I feel<br />
a real sense of pride in what we have<br />
achieved.”<br />
But for someone constantly striving for<br />
perfection, this is no time to slow down.<br />
“There is more to do; better to come.<br />
The future looks busy - we’ll keep working<br />
hard to make it happen.”<br />
BEN STEELE<br />
Director<br />
Ben left the corporate world behind to join<br />
Super Yacht Coatings as general manager<br />
in 2018. “I haven’t looked back since the<br />
day I arrived,” he says with a smile.<br />
Ben coordinates the business<br />
operations, manages client relationships<br />
and having bought a stake in the company,<br />
now sits as a director, implementing the<br />
strategic vision for the business alongside<br />
Mark and Regan.<br />
“I believe in this company, and the<br />
bright future ahead. I’m proud and excited<br />
to be a part of it.”<br />
Ben sees the development of the<br />
50m purpose-built facility on Tauranga’s<br />
harbour as one of the most significant<br />
steps in the company’s evolution.<br />
“Having this superb facility here in<br />
Tauranga has put the city on the map<br />
for large yacht and boat refits when<br />
previously the only options would have<br />
been Auckland, or maybe Whangarei. This<br />
shed has opened up so much opportunity<br />
for the company; we are constantly<br />
working to harness its full potential.”<br />
He says the team’s ability to work<br />
quickly at a high standard has drawn<br />
strong interest from the commercial<br />
sector, where ‘time on the water’ is<br />
essential to boats earning their keep. The<br />
company’s commercial business, Gorilla<br />
Commercial Coatings, is busy servicing<br />
the local commercial marine industry.<br />
Looking ‘at home’ at the helm of Super<br />
Yacht Coatings, alongside Mark, Ben has<br />
no regrets in swapping the corporate<br />
world for the marine industry.<br />
“Boats and boating have always been<br />
a passion of mine. Seeing boats of all<br />
shapes and sizes coming through our<br />
doors has made me appreciate the skill<br />
and workmanship that goes into them.<br />
We are one small part of a hugely talented<br />
marine industry in New Zealand. And we<br />
love what we do.”<br />
Dustless Vapour Blasting<br />
Sand Blasting<br />
High Pressure Hydro Blasting<br />
Commercial Marine Painting<br />
New Zealands premier marine painters, providing an<br />
international standard of finish to the local market.<br />
From Luxury yachts to Work boats, we’ve got you covered.<br />
0800 SY COAT<br />
New Builds<br />
Antifouling<br />
Repaints<br />
Propspeed<br />
Paint Repairs<br />
info@superyachtcoatings.com<br />
www.superyachtcoatings.com<br />
32 | <strong>100</strong> – PEOPLE BEHIND BAY BUSINESS | <strong>2023</strong>
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