Who are we?

Since Bow2Stern first came to print we have taken an interest in trying to educate Bow2Stern readers into making the correct decisions when building refitting and upgrading boats whether  it be upgrading the electrical system, fitting new electronics or converting an icebox to a fridge or freezer . The reason for this is because we constantly see on a daily basis boat owners who have been sold incorrect products for their application or products which simply are now suitable for a boats system. Unfortunately in most cases this ends up costing the client far more than they originally expected.

Now more than 2 years later we thought we would give an insight into Our History, Who Keoghs Marine Electrics are, what we do and who the people are behind Keoghs Marine Electrics.

Our History

Keoghs marine Electrics is not one of these companies who has just appeared overnight, Far from it! Once apon a time (way back in 1975) in a southern state Far far away (Sydney, NSW) Mick Keogh (Business owner and founder) finished his auto electrician apprenticeship From here Mick then aorked various Auto electrician jobs in Sydney Gaining experience on cars, trucks boats and whatever else came his way.

In 1980 Mick saw the light and lifestyle of God’s country and move to the Gold Coast, and started working for Micro Logic (a marine electronics retailer/supplier) as a Technician/Installer and this is where his love for boats and the marine industry began, In 1984 Mick had a change of Senery and started working at Runaway Bay Marine Electrics as a Marine electrician, it was these fundamental years since 1980 that Mick gathered the essential  experience for the founding of Keoghs Marine Electrics

With his new (and current) wife and a new family imminent Mick moved back to his Sydney Eastern suburbs roots and went out on his own and formed Keoghs Marine Electrics. Basing himself around the prestigious Point Piper Marina, Mick established himself and earned a reputation as a quality marine electrician who could be counted on.
In 2000 the lure of the Queensland lifestyle made Mick relocate back to the Gold Coast where he quickly built up the reputation as one of the largest & premiere marine electricians on the gold coast running up to seven electricians at its peak. In 1994 Mick had well and truely outgrown his office in his garage and nought and moved to the factory unit in Brisbane road Labrador where Keoghs Marine Electrics still currently reside.

In 2006 Mick started to expand his business in the wholesale supply of marine electrical equipment, slowly winding back the scale of the service operation. In 2007 Mick appointed a dedicated sales and marketing manager to expand the wholesale side of the business. 2007 also saw the early formation our the Keoghs Marine Electrics website www.keoghsmarineelectrics.com.au During 2008 and 2009 we the GFC hit and while many business in the marine industry where falling over Keoghs Marine electrics wholesale side flourished and invested in abrand new showroom (one of the largest if not the largest working displays of ,marine electronics and marine electrical products in Australia. In late 2009 the decision was made to close our service and installation and whole concentrate on the supply of Marine products to the public and trade clientele.

Who Keoghs Marine Electrics are and what we do today?

Keoghs Marine is a family owned marine electrical wholesaler based at Labrador on the Gold Coast, We specialise is the supply of marine electrical products such as; anchor winches, Audio Visual (12 volt TVs, CD/DVD players and marine stereos) battery chargers and inverters, Bilge and pressure pumps, Cooking appliances, Deck hatches and portlights, desalinations systems, Electrical parts, Electrolysis and reverse polarity protection, electronics chart cards, Gamefishing accessories, Marine Batteries, marine BBQs, Marine Electronics, Marine Hot water Heaters, marine LED lighting, Refrigeration, VHF/MF/HF radios & satellite communications, Mooring Whips, Solar and Wind Power and Trolling Motors to name a few.

Some of the unique qualities about KME (Keoghs Marine Electrics) are :

• The variety of quality products, after the many years of experience as a marine electrician and running service and installation technicians we have a unique advantage of knowing what products perform as per their specifications, have excellent reliability and should something go wrong are backed up by their manufacturer or distributor. One thing KME does not do is sell and forget, We understand that building, refitting and upgrading can be stressful task both mentally and financially. A boat for many people is a passion, a hobby, a means to unwind and a dream. They are usually a long term proposition  so a quality, reliable product which is well supported is all we sell,
  
• A boat is a complex animal with many working systems in order for these systems to work individual components need to be able to work together, one of the things that we see constantly is where boat owners are sold products which do not work or are incompatible with their existing system. We like to take the approach of listening to what our clients’ needs are and what they want to achieve so that they get a product which woks in their system. System design is one of specialities, so whether a client is building a new boat, refitting or just upgrading existing system our experience and product range enables us to provide products which work together in harmony in a system which increases reliability. Wehn client have major projects KME can also provide Turbo Cad system drawing so that installation techs have a map to follow. This also has the added benefit if a problem occurs in the future there is a documented drawing for reference.
  
• Comprehensive full working showroom. In 2009 KME made a significant investment into a brand new showroom at their Labrador premises. Our showroom has the latest in chartplotters, fishfinders, sonar’s, radars, battery chargers and inverters, marine stereos, CD, DVD players, 12 volt HD TVs, the latest in LED lighting, Marine 12 Volt refrigeration, desalinators, anchor winches, deck hatches, BBQs and cooking appliances to name a few. Our showroom is fully functioning with all products working off a battery bank and being charged with Battery chargers. We do this for a simple reason, this is exactly how the products would work in a boat. So isn’t it better to see how they run off a proper 12V system. This also means we can show people exactly how much power products use. No wild salesperson claims just real time facts in front of your face. We have one of the largest if not largest electronics displays in Australia with working screens from 4.5” right up to 15” This also enables our clients to come in and play and compare brands and models to help them make a confident decision on which product is right for them.
  
  
• Website. www.keoghsmarine.com.au We invest a lot of time into our website as it is our online catalogue which is updated daily. We feature over 600 products on our site and each product has as much information as possible and in many cases we have more information on our website than what most manufacturers so for the same products. We also feature informatative artices to help educate our clients in making the correct decisions
  
  
• Pricing. We understand people always like to get the best deal possible and as a result we will always try and give the best price. On individual items we will always try and beat a quoted price where possible, We specialise in package deals and we can give even better discounts when people are looking at purchasing a complete system package from us.
  
• Passion and Understanding, Our Key staff are passionate boaties, we own boats ourselves, we fish, we cruise and we love boating just as much as the most avid owner. Our extensive on water experience enables us to understand and relate to what our clients want further adding to the confidence in getting exactly the right product for the application.

STAFF, As with every  successful business, staff is the Key. Being a small close nit team we work together to constantly improve our business and our clients experiences. Here is a brief insight to our team;

Mick Keogh (Founder/owner/director, judge jury and executioner)
Mick is still the driving force behind KME, he brings his wealth or experience in Marine electrics and running the behind the scene operations of KME. Mick specialises in our electrical systems designs, Electrical product application, Audio visual products, marine electronics and communications and game fishing products. When Not at work Mick can normally be found anywhere from 15 to 45 NM East of the Gold Coast in serch of Blue and black marlin. With years of game fishing experience and multiple tornament wins, Micks on water experience and fishing experience gives the edge when setting up fishing boats of all sizes and boats planning on operating in rough and blue water.

Martin Burling (Sales and marketing/ Internet and Bow2Stern Author)
Martin started with KME in April 2007 to drive and help change the business dynamics of KME towards the sales and wholesale operation that it is today. Martin's areas of expertise include Marine Electrics, refrigeration, desalination and lighting and product specing for new builds, refits and upgrades.

Prior to working at KME Martin had an addition 4 years experience in sales in the marine industry and prior to the marine industry worked as a service advisor/service managers for franchises such as Toyota, Porsche, Ferrai and Jeep. Martin virtually grew up on boats from the age of 4 and bought his first boat at the age of 17 and had his boat licence before his car licence. Going up on the Hawkesbury river in Sydney martin spent most weekends on the water. Moving to the Gold Coast in 2002 martin started as a crew member with VMR at Southport eventually earning the rank of Skipper where is accrued over 2700 crew hours. Martin recent boat ownership includes a 5m Seafarer Vamp centre console, a Haines Hunter 680 patriot and now a 5m Evolution Sportfish and frequents the waters of the Broadwater and southern Moreton bay.