Ron Brown, a long-time figure in the NZ Marine Industry passed away in early February
by Grant Hartley and Sail-World 3 Mar 13:16 PST
Ron Brown (left) holds court at the 2014 NZ Boat Show, at the Viaducts Events Centre © Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com / nz
Ron Brown, a long-time servant of the NZ Marine Industry passed away in early February.
Known for his long-time involvement with Epiglass and Altex Coatings passed away on the Gold Coast where he had lived for several years. Both companies were strong backers of New Zealand sailing in projects from sailing in schools to Admirals Cup.
As Chairman of the then Marine Industry Association’s Refit Sector Group, Ron with his extensive industry knowledge was one of the driving forces behind the development of standards, codes, and practices that helped professionalise the New Zealand superyacht refit sector and grow its contribution to the national economy.
Many people who knew Ron in later years may not appreciate just how senior he was in his earlier career.
In the 1980s, he was a leading figure at Epiglass in New Zealand and later took on senior leadership roles with Altex and the wider Resene Group across New Zealand and Australia. He was respected not just for what he knew, but for the way he led — with fairness, integrity, and without ever needing to make a point of it.
Ron was also deeply involved at an industry level. As Chairman of the Marine Industry Association’s Refit Sector Group, he was one of the driving forces behind the development of standards, codes, and practices that helped professionalise the New Zealand superyacht refit sector and grow its contribution to the national economy.
He worked tirelessly to promote New Zealand as a credible, high-quality destination for superyacht refit and maintenance, and his influence extended well beyond any single company or role.
Maybe appropriately, the New Zealand Boat Show, at which Ron was a familiar figure for many years, is underway this weekend.