Background and Overview of TFTechnology Maritime
Established in 2001 by Dale and Sue McKeough – Partners.
Dale McKeough.
Snr Executive with Patrick Stevedoring, specializing in Customer Support, Inventory Management, Quality Control. Technical support.
Previous 22 years in Defence Force as Engineer.
Sue McKeough – MBA
Samsung General Manager of IT Australia and South Pacific.
Previous European Operations Manager IBM / Apple.Computers 23 years.
Sales and Marketing, Financial Control. Business Operations.
Introducing a new Sales Manager to the Team, Scott Miers with a wealth of Sales knowledge and recently returned from UK. Scott will explore new technologies and new markets that can be opened with our product range.
Business Strategy
On the introduction of Low Voltage LCD Monitors and TV’s, an opportunity arose for alternative vertical markets for Mobile and Marine Industries. It was decided, that to support such a market, we left corporate life and established TFTechnology Maritime.
By specializing with the products into a unique vertical market, we could offer support to these industries that was not being covered today.
Initial concept was to support with LCD TV’s, running on 12 volt, which allowed customers to utilize space, power and incorporate all entertainment and navigation equipment on the one device.
Through demand, the product offering has now been expanded to all options that relate to entertainment systems going mobile. From Speakers to DVD players, wiring, antennas, connector plates, digital decoders.
Home appliances are also an additional line of product that we have been asked to source on behalf of our customer base. Mini Washers, Microwaves, Air conditioners wine coolers etc.
Very high end Audio equipment such as Nyles / Crestron / Vantage / Denon are also included in product offerings.
The company has effectively split into 2 divisions, Marine and Mobile. It is not the intention of TFTechnology to support Retail selling, we provide only to Mfgrs and their customers.
Exporting and Importing products has also become a major factor within the company and we have dealers and customers in South Pacific and around Australia.
Markets.
Currently, TFTechnology Maritime are recognized nationally and internationally as a total solutions provider for Marine and Mobile Markets.
We provide to All MAJOR Marine Mfgrs, as well as National Coach Builders, Motor Home Mfgrs .
We have a Dealer Network around Australia, as well as Electrical Contractors who provide independent installation.
Our service and support to the customer base has always been based on the old principle of good customer service, with quality products.
An expansion to the company within 2006-2007 is to incorporate into the organization a 3rd division for Developers of Hotels / Resorts, this would automatically involve restructuring of the company and additional personnel to support.
Products
Our Policy is to only provide quality brand name products that have been tired and tested in the harsh environment which they will be installed, at the same time ensuring that price to performance is uppermost.
Brand Names such as Sony, Samsung, NEC JVC Grundig Miele, Smeg, Blanco Nyles Crestron Dennon vare the main product names to our markets.
Over the last 6 years, technology has changed substantially, and Mfgrs of LCD has stopped providing lower voltage and smaller LCD’s TV’s.
This has forced us to source alternative product offerings.
There are many Asian product offerings with low price tags, but with a failure rate as high as 80% and a low product quality with no backup or support. These are the products that we would never support our customer base with.
Due to the complexity of Mfgr’s various requirements, it is essential that we stay on top of the technology and ensure that the products will meet the needs.
It is not just a case of “Its an LCD TV to install”, the considerations by product size, varies.
Connectivity, Cabling, Mounting, Dimensions, Ease of use, appearance, Brand Name. Technical specifications, Worldwide support. Speaker positioning, Cosmetics etc.
TFTechnology Support.
Our customer base, whether its Marine of Mobile, know that the level of support we give is uppermost to the normal Retail outlet.
We are specialist, we know the customer needs and we meet their demands.
In a Production environment, it is essential that our customer base stays online.
Knowing that months of production has been scheduled, we cannot just advise that a product has been discontinued. Therefore, close relationships with our suppliers is vital and we plan inventory holdings allowing Production to continue until new product is introduced. This can sometimes involve us holding some 5 months of obsolete stock.
We work closely with Planning and Forecasting, even advise on Vessel and Coach Design.
Once a product requirement has been established we then source correct product to meet the needs.
In case of product failure, whether its by a Production fitter, or Mfgr fault, TFTechnology will immediately swap out, to allow production to continue, we then take the repair and warranty issue away from the customer.
Installation support and wiring diagrams are other key areas we support, on occasions we have done training to the electricians in production to avoid product damage.
Communications with Planning, Purchasing, Pricing, R & D is vital to this role of support in maintaining a close smooth working relationship.
SUMMARY
TFTechnology has experienced a consistent growth over the last 6 years, the reason for the success has been knowing your customers requirements, meeting the demands whilst maintaining low overheads, allowing competitive pricing.
We have deliberately capped the growth and expansions of the organization to continue supporting our customer base, however, 2007 will see a restructure with a new division and a larger organisation, but still maintaining the old fashioned values of customer support.
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