News

10/23/09

Tallon Founder, Peter Marshall, one of NZ's Top Entrepreneurs

Peter Marshall named one of 5 Finalists in the Prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year for 2009...
Category: General
Posted by: tallon

Peter Marshall, founder of Wanaka-based Tallon systems, was named one of 5 Finalists in the Prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year for 2009. Peter receives recognition in the category - Master Entrepreneur (for leaders of well established businesses who have demonstrated a  significant commitment to entrepreneurship.

Video Link: TV 3 News

The awards recognise the passion and drive behind entrepreneurial businesses, whether private or listed, family-owned or private equity backed, across all commercial and industrial sectors and at any stage of business development.

In his business life, not every venture Peter Marshall put his talents to was smooth sailing.  Whatever the case, he discovered his entrepreneurial skills at a VERY young age.  As a student at Wellington College, he tinkered with a number of businesses, including designing and selling jewellery at age 12 and apparel at age 14.  Eventually, the world of commerce took centre stage in Peter Marshall’s life when the headmaster of the College called him in to say: “One of us is leaving and I’m the one with the job.”


Peter worked in a variety of situations and incarnations in the pre-1987crash ‘cowboy days’ when the saying went that ‘you could throw a cork down the river and someone would invest in it.’  After being burnt by a couple of unsuccessful retail ventures, he found his niche in the technology sector. With business partner Mark Thomson he founded one of the country’s flagship technological financial products, Eftpos New Zealand. Building the business and eventually selling it to the ANZ Banking Group for a tidy sum, Peter Marshall decided to head for the quiet hills of Wanaka to escape the rat race.


Despite intentions of retiring and going fishing, it didn’t take long for Tallon Systems to be launched.  Having no marine industry expertise, he nevertheless had a life-long passion for boating.  With the resources to build the boat of his dreams, he thought he could source the boating accessories of his dreams. When he found they didn’t exist, he filled the gap in the market with the launch of Tallon Systems.

The mission was to provide superior choice, quality and value to boat owners and manufacturers by delivering an integrated system of accessories that is innovative, flexible and easy to use - ¬ as a result enhancing boaties  enjoyment.


After a year of research and development plus industry consultation, Tallon was launched to the world in March 2007.  That same year, it scooped the prestigious 2007 Innovation Award at the International Boat Builder’s Exhibition in Miami, USA. With distributors in the United States, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe, and with diversification into other leisure markets, Peter Marshall’s newest creation is full steam ahead.
 
Peter sends his congratulations to Diane Foreman of Emerald Group Limited, overall winner of the Award, scooping the coveted title at last night Awards Dinner.  Diane will go on to represent New Zealand at next Year's World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Monte Carlo.  Go New Zealand...!