Oceanflo Desalination, New Zealand's marine watermaker specialist, is moving into a new phase of expansion. Founder Chris Dent has been joined by Ross Pratt and Chris Pratt, who have purchased a stake in the business, adding substantial industry experience to an already well-regarded engineering operation.
Dent established Oceanflo on the back of years spent working as a superyacht engineer and machinist. That practical grounding is central to everything the company produces: desalination systems designed and manufactured specifically for marine use, where reliability, ease of servicing, and consistent long-term performance are the priorities rather than the exceptions.
The two incoming partners bring considerable weight to the table. Ross Pratt is recognised as a co-founder and director of BEP Marine and the founder of RAILBLAZA. Chris Pratt contributes a strong background in product design and operations gained through his work with RAILBLAZA.
Between them, the expanded ownership group brings together technical depth and a track record of scaling marine brands, driving product development, and building customer-focused businesses. The aim of the partnership is to support Oceanflo's growth ambitions, strengthen production capability, and open up new markets, all while preserving the hands-on service and engineering-led character the company has built its reputation on.
"This is a natural next step for Oceanflo," said founder Chris Dent. "Having partners who understand both the marine industry and the realities of building and supporting products on the water puts us in a strong position to grow, without compromising what makes our systems work for boat owners."
Across the cruising, commercial, and specialist marine sectors, demand for dependable onboard freshwater solutions continues to rise. With the new ownership structure in place, Oceanflo is positioned to grow its operations while keeping its focus on high-quality, New Zealand-engineered desalination systems.
