Category: Parts and Power

PARTS & POWER ATTENDS NORTHERN LIGHTS SALES CONFERENCE JULY 2024

Posted on by Ashley Uyeta

Northern Lights hosted a 3-day Sales Conference on 16 – 18 July for their Sales staff and Distributors.  Distributors from the UK, Holland, Italy, France were there.  Barb and Tom Gerker represented Parts & Power for the Eastern and Southern Caribbean.  Updates for new and existing products were rolled out including a new 25kW model and updates on the 9kW.  The very impressive L/M 4105/6105 was displayed.  With individual cylinder heads and nearly 90% parts commonality between the models, it is the ideal replacement for the old Lugger 6125, 6140 and 6170 engines.  Presentations were made by Chairman of Northern Lights – Sam Hill, VP of Marketing – Kit Purdy, Engineering Manager – Tracy Hach, Marketing Coordinator – Ashley Uyeta, Global Sales Manager – Nils Nelson and Donald Williams, who updated everyone on the Hybrid and Electric products.  Scott Putnicki, Compliance and Quality Systems Administrator, explained current Classification requirements and Tracy Hach updated everyone on the ever-changing Emissions Regulations. Engineering Production Manager – Chad Evans and National Sales Representative – Todd Bartus, gave a presentation on the Technicold products.

 

The participants were wined and dined every evening and there was a Dinner Cruise on Thursday night aboard the 80 ft Hatteras Sport fisherman “Surfrider”.

PARTS & POWER VISITS INBOARD DIESEL SERVICE IN MARTINIQUE

Posted on by Ashley Uyeta

In March, Meckel Weste and Tom Gerker visited Inboard Diesel Service in Martinique. IDS, founded and owned by Frank Agren, has been a Northern Lights Dealer for over 25 years.  He started the business in the village of Case Pilote where most of his customers are Commercial Vessels.  Recently he opened a new location in Le Marin where there are hundreds of pleasure craft, primarily medium sized sailing yachts.  The most striking aspect of IDS is its Service Departments.  Both have workshops that are meticulously clean and well organized.  This is such a point of pride for Frank and his staff that the entrance to their Parts, Sales and Administration areas in both locations is through the workshop.

Adrien, Tom, Meckel, and Marce in Le Marin Parts Department

IDS has consistently been one of the best performing Northern Lights dealers in the Caribbean, both in terms of Sales and Service.  Their customer service is excellent.  This is due to the standard set by Frank and personified by long term employees Béatrice RINTO, Ludovic ROSE-ÉLOÏSE (who manages the Le Marin operation) and Marcé NUBUL.   They have 3 technicians in the Case Pilote location and 4 techs in Le Marin. They have recently added Adrien Mesureur to their Admin and Sales staff who is in training to assist Beatrice and Frank.

Adrien, Tom, Meckel and Marce in Le Marin store

Northern Lights Visits St. Thomas Super Yacht Show December 2021

Posted on by Adriene Riordan

 

IGY Marinas and the International Yacht Brokers Association held its first Super Yacht Charter Show at the Yacht Haven Grand Marina on St. Thomas from 9-13 December. Northern Lights Inc was on hand as a sponsor and presenter at the event.  Due to the huge surge of charters booked in late 2021, none of the Caribbean Charter Yacht Shows had many boats attend this year. Only 10 Super Yachts were in attendance at the event, but 6 of the 10 present had Northern Lights generators on them.  There were a great number of brokers present, which gave the yachts great exposure and kept the crews busy.  The Organizers arranged air travel for the brokers from the Antigua ACYM Show to St. Thomas.

Nils Nelson, from Northern Lights, and Tom Gerker from Caribbean Distributor Parts & Power, visited each of the yachts during the Show.  They met the engineers from each yacht and asked about the performance of their generators and if they had any service issues. As is often the case, most engineers said that their Northern Lights generators were running great, and they wished all their equipment was a reliable as a Northern Lights.  One yacht had a pair of 45kW generators with over 35,000 hours on them and neither had been overhauled or had any significant service issues.

The Show itself was extremely well organized with presentations for Yacht Crews and Brokers, and lots of social events. 3 meals per day were provided for Brokers and Sponsors, and a party with a different theme was offered each evening. Strict Covid protocols were in place that kept the event safe but did not interfere with everyone having a good time.

The Organizers originally had 25 Super Yachts registered, but many had to drop out due to charters being booked during the Show.  Despite the low number of yachts, they were happy with the event and were looking forward to holding it annually.

 

 

 

21 hours delivery!

Posted on by Guy Phoenix

Tom Gerker of Parts & Power Ltd,  received a call from Erwan Le Normand at Caraibes Diesel in Sint  Maarten at 5:45 pm on the 19th of April 2021.  Erwan desperately needed a  Northern Lights M673L3G marine generator for S/Y Encore, whose owner was due to arrive on the 21st of April for the first visit in over a year.

With the vast inventory of Northern Lights generators and parts held in stock by Parts & Power in the British Virgin Islands, Tom was able to expedite delivery.  He contacted Captain Neville Brathwaite Jr of North Eastern Caribbean Airline, located at Beef Island, Tortola.  Neville said he would make it happen.  The Britten Norman Islander aircraft was the perfect plane for this mission!

21 hours delivery  

The Northern Lights generator arrived at Princess Juliana International Airport at 2:30 pm the next day and was delivered to the boat by 3 pm.

Parts & Power had a generator delivered to the customer in Sint Maarten 21 hours after the initial call, which was also after regular business hours.

Even more impressive, Erwan and the Team at Caraibes Diesel Services had the generator installed by 10 AM the following morning. This is Caribbean Nothern Lights at its very best.

In this pandemic era, no one would have thought this possible!

 

The Parts & Power Team worked hard to make this happen.  Those not directly involved, picked up the slack so others could.  It was truly a team effort.

Captain S/Y Encore

I can’t thank everyone enough for the extra effort in making this happen. We received the generator at Port de Plaisance around 3:00 pm this afternoon and had it in the boat shortly thereafter.

 Great job all around, very impressive, we truly appreciate it!!

 

COVID Camaraderie within the Caribbean Northern Lights Dealer Network

Posted on by Guy Phoenix

It’s over a year since we started lockdowns and were affected by COVID 19 Restrictions throughout the Caribbean.  Parts & Power Ltd the Northern Lights Caribbean Distributor implemented a number of online training courses for its team and dealer network throughout the islands.  Hosted by Rob Hales and training by Gavin Dooley of Parts & Power Ltd, the online courses became more than a product refresher or introduction, they became a place for the Northern Lights Caribbean Dealer Network to interact, with more time to make new friends and share experiences, and tips.  With over 30 personnel on each course, a fresh camaraderie was established, many staying online for an hour after the training finished, yes, just to catch up!

Many of the dealers, like Parts & Power Ltd, have had a tough year.  Everyone has experienced business, financial and personal challenges.  However, today the Northern Lights Caribbean Dealer Network is strong and supported by a dedicated Parts & Power team.  We regularly communicate and update each other and in January 2021 we were given a glimpse of the future, with a surge in sales and installations.

In July 2020 Parts & Power moved to its new facility in Fish Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.  From here we look forward to a time when we can welcome our Northern Lights dealers for in house and hands-on training.

We heard on Thursday that a long time Northern Lights advocate, Craig Lovett from Grenada Marine, has made the decision to return to his native Australia, to do some cruising.  Parts & Power wish Craig all the best for his next adventure and hope we will see him again in the Caribbean.  May fair winds and calm seas be with you always.

There is a Caribbean Northern Lights dealer near every port of call.  They are ready to support both existing and new Northern Lights Marine Generator customers.

A full list of Caribbean Northern Lights Dealers can be found at;

http://www.caribbeannorthernlights.com/

Alternatively contact Parts & Power Ltd:  Tel: +1(284) 494-2830/440-2830

Or email info@partsandpower.com

 

We are here for you!

PARTS & POWER EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER Q3 2020

Posted on by Guy Phoenix

Jamal Jones has been awarded the Employee of the Quarter for Parts & Power’s 3rd Quarter.

Jamal joined Parts & Power following the flood in August 2017.  His Aunt Gladys Jones, who was our Logistics Coordinator at the time, introduced him when we were looking for additional help to salvage inventory and clean up.  We were so impressed with his work ethic that we offered him a full-time job. Jamal began as a Warehouse Clerk doing manual tasks such as Receiving and stocking shelves.

Although he had no computer experience, he quickly mastered all our Inventory computer systems.  He learned how to operate a Forklift and our JCB Teletrucks.  In his duties delivering items he has to interact with BVI Customs and Port Authority frequently and has developed a good relationship with them.

After more than 3 years on the job, he can brag as being Accident-Free despite handling so many different pieces of equipment.  Jamal recently distinguished himself while assisting in the move of Parts & Power from Port Purcell to our new home in Fish Bay.  He put in long days, taking on any task that needed accomplishing.

When voting for our Employee of the Quarter, the Management Team were unanimous in their election of Jamal.

In the photo, Jamal is shown on right with his supervisor, Logistics Coordinator Nema Benjamin; carefully masked as always.

BRENTON AND SHEILA FORD DEPART FOR SCOTLAND

Posted on by Guy Phoenix

Brenton and Sheila Ford resigned from Parts & Power in September to move to Sheila’s home country of Scotland.  Sheila had traveled to Scotland in July for her father’s funeral.  Due to the Covid border closure in the BVI, the process to return was taking a long time.  That, combined with family obligations, made her decide to remain in Scotland.  Brenton, and their dog Shaggy, packed up in late October to join Sheila in Scotland. Parts & Power wish Sheila and Brenton (and Shaggy) the best of success in their new endeavors in Scotland.  They will be missed.

Brenton is shown on right in the photo with Robin Hales of Parts & Power during a Poker Run in June of 2019.

 

Northern Lights Caribbean Dealers hold virtual meeting amid the Coronavirus lockdowns

Posted on by Adriene Riordan

NORTHERN LIGHTS CARIBBEAN DEALERS HOLD VIRTUAL MEETING AMID THE CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWNS

9 April 20, Road Town, Tortola

Most Caribbean Countries are on lockdown due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.  With few exceptions, all Caribbean Countries are restricting anyone, other than Essential Workers, from leaving their own yard.  Although most Caribbean Northern Lights Dealers are Essential Workers in their own counties, there is very little work to require anyone from going out.  With this in mind, Robin Hales and Gavin Dooley, from Parts & Power, organized an online training meeting with all the Caribbean Dealers.  It was a good opportunity for everyone to get together and discuss the Northern Lights Product, and the Northern Lights and CaribbeanNorthernLights.com websites.  Rob hosted the event, and Gavin was our trainer.

There were 26 people in attendance on the Zoom meeting with one or more participants from

Marine Power Services, Antigua; Dominica Marine Centre, Dominica; Palm Tree Marine, Grenada; Inboard Diesel Services, Martinique; Electec, St. Maarten; Caraibes Diesel, St. Martin; Marintek, St. Lucia; LP Marine, Trinidad; Marine Maintenance, Tortola; CRC, Virgin Gorda; Import Supply, St. Thomas and Parts & Power.

“It is important, in this time of isolation, for everyone to remain engaged,” Robin Hales said.  “I thought it was also an excellent time for us all to get together to talk about the Northern Lights Product.”  It is not very often when we can get the attention of our very busy Dealers.  So, I wanted to take advantage of the fact that most people were in isolation.  Besides, I have not had an opportunity to meet with some of our Dealers, especially with planned travel being postponed at this time” he said.  “Although face to face meetings are not possible, this was the next best thing.  This was so successful that we will hold a follow up meeting next week.”

Northern Lights and Parts & Power visit 58th annual ACYS

Posted on by Adriene Riordan

On 6, 7 & 8 December, participants from Northern Lights and Parts & Power participated in the 58th Annual Antigua Charter Yacht Show.  Northern Lights VP and General Manager, Kit Purdy, Don Schutte from the NL Florida Branch and Tom Gerker & Rob Hales from Parts & Power visited yachts at the Show to see how many participants had Northern Lights products on them.  Over 30% of the yachts had a Northern Lights, Lugger or Technicold Product on board.  The ACYS presents a unique opportunity to see a large number of Northern Lights customers in one location.  The purpose of the visit was to discover the level of customer satisfaction with the Products.

Most of the yachts with Northern Lights Equipment were happy with the Product and had nothing but positive feedback to give.  This year, the crew from NL and P&P ran into several boats that were having issues though.  One vessel had recently had their generator rewound and had a catastrophic failure on the new winding while docking in Antigua. Thanks to some fast action on the part of Kit, NL were able to get a new 90kW generator end air freighted to Antigua, where the local NL Dealer Marine Power Service installed it in time for the yacht to make their charter.

The team from NL and P&P were able to answer questions from Engineers and Captains about Operation, Maintenance, Service and where to get support wherever they are in the world.  Customers were able to give feedback on the Products and, in some cases, make recommendations on how to improve them in some way.  Such feedback is invaluable to Northern Lights and their Distribution Network for making Improvements in Products and Service.

Participants from NL and P&P have been attending the ACYS for more than 20 years.  Many questions have been answered, problems solved and ideas for Product Improvement have been taken back to the Seattle Headquarters for implementation over the years. It has been an outstanding venue for listening to the Voice of the Customer.