Charting New Waters: Mike Normington Takes the Helm at Dometic APAC Marine
Dometic, a global leader in innovative solutions for mobile living, has appointed Mike Normington as Vice President of its Marine division for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, effective 2 June 2025. With over 15 years of senior leadership experience across retail, FMCG, and global business services, Mike steps into the role at a critical juncture for the company’s regional marine operations.
Mike Normington
Based in Varsity Lakes on Queensland’s Gold Coast, Mike brings a wealth of commercial expertise and a proven track record in stakeholder engagement, strategic transformation, and large-scale team leadership.
His resume includes significant leadership roles at BP Australia Pty Ltd, where he oversaw both the integration of a 50-site retail network and operational responsibility for 440 stores and over 6,000 employees across Australia and New Zealand. He has also served on the board of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores, highlighting his standing within the retail and mobility sectors.
Now at Dometic Marine, Mike is tasked with leading operational and financial performance across the diverse and rapidly evolving APAC region.
His remit includes developing long-term growth strategies, building a robust product and operational roadmap, and collaborating closely with teams spanning sales, development, and product management.
With a Bachelor of Business (Marketing/HR) from La Trobe University and executive education from Northwestern University’s Sales & Marketing Academy, Mike brings both academic depth and practical insight to his new position. He is known for his disciplined approach to cost and risk management, and his ability to guide teams through change and complexity.
Mike’s tenure began with a whirlwind, embarking on an immediate international tour to Canada and the USA to connect with global colleagues and stakeholders. His early momentum signals an energetic and collaborative approach—qualities that will likely define his leadership style as Dometic navigates an increasingly competitive marine market.
Marine Business News caught up with Mike shortly after his return to hear more about his vision, the opportunities ahead, and what lies on the horizon for Dometic Marine in the APAC region.
What drew you to the marine industry and to Dometic specifically?
What attracted me to Dometic was its reputation for innovation and quality, along with its clear ambition to lead in the marine industry. The marine sector is an exciting intersection of lifestyle and technology. While I don’t come from a marine background, working with customers to find solutions is where I thrive—and that’s what excited me about joining Dometic.
Can you describe your first impressions of the Dometic team and culture?
From day one, I was struck by the passion and deep expertise within the APAC team—they genuinely love the marine industry. There’s a strong sense of pride in the products and a real commitment to customer satisfaction. The culture is collaborative and fast-paced, with clear direction from the Marine Segment President. I also value the global support structure, which is there to help APAC succeed. There’s a strong focus on innovation and continuous improvement, which really resonates with me.
What are your short- and long-term priorities for the APAC Marine division?
In the immediate term, my focus is on listening—understanding our customers and our partners, as well as getting to know my APAC team intimately.
Next, it’s about growth—understanding our footprint, driving operational excellence, and staying customer-focused. That means truly understanding the market opportunities and how we can best serve them.
What synergies do you see between your past roles in retail and your new position at Dometic?
Spending close to 20 years at bp, I was fortunate to work across several business units—retail, sales, shared services, transport, acquisition, and integration. All of these roles share synergies with my position at Dometic: the importance of customer experience, operational discipline, and performance culture. Whether you’re running a fuel and convenience network or a marine business, the fundamentals are similar—understand your customer, deliver consistently, drive performance, and manage risk effectively.
What opportunities or challenges are unique to the APAC marine region?
APAC is incredibly diverse—geographically, economically, and culturally. That diversity is both a challenge and an opportunity. On one hand, we need to tailor our approach to very different markets, from well-established boating communities in Australia and New Zealand to fast-growing segments in Southeast Asia. On the other hand, that diversity gives us a rich landscape for innovation, partnerships, and growth. The key is staying agile, deeply connected to local insights, and having great people who are committed to delivering the strategy.
How do you plan to approach stakeholder engagement across such a culturally diverse region?
It starts with listening, learning, and being present across the region throughout the rest of 2025. Building trust across cultures means showing up consistently, respecting local ways of working, and being transparent in communication. I also believe in empowering local teams—they’re closest to the customer and best positioned to drive meaningful engagement. My role is to support them, remove barriers, and ensure we’re aligned on our shared goals.
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the marine sector—how does that influence your strategy?
After only a few weeks at Dometic, it’s already clear that sustainability is embedded in how we think about product development, operations, and partnerships. Customers are increasingly looking for solutions that reduce environmental impact without compromising performance.
What does operational excellence look like for you in this new role?
For me, operational excellence is about consistency, accountability, and continuous improvement. It means delivering on our promises to customers, optimizing our supply chain, and ensuring our teams have the tools and support they need to succeed. It’s also about being proactive—anticipating challenges before they become issues and always looking for ways to do things better.
Can you speak to any emerging trends or technologies that excite you in the marine space?
One of the most exciting developments in the marine space is the growing shift toward advanced electric-controlled systems, which are reshaping performance, efficiency, and onboard experience. The release of the Dometic DG3 Gyro earlier in 2025 has encouraged new conversations around what’s possible in marine stabilisation.
The DG3 introduces a fresh approach to power control and leverages electric actuation — a technology first proven in the iconic Optimus electric steering systems. This evolution not only improves responsiveness and reliability but also paves the way for quieter, more sustainable stabilisation solutions that require less maintenance compared to traditional hydraulic systems.
As we see more boaters prioritising efficiency, low noise, and reduced environmental impact, these technologies represent a key step toward the future of smarter, cleaner, and more intuitive marine systems. The trend is clear: integrated electric solutions are becoming the benchmark for next-generation boating experiences.
How do you plan to foster innovation within Dometic’s APAC marine operations?
Innovation starts with curiosity and a willingness to challenge the status quo. I want to build a culture where ideas can come from anywhere—whether it’s a frontline technician, a customer, our sales support team or a strategic partner. But to truly innovate with purpose, we need to get even better at bringing the voice of the customer into the process. That means investing time in listening—through direct feedback, user insights, and stronger partnerships with boatbuilders, marinas, and service providers. We’ll also explore more structured ways to capture and act on customer input, so we’re solving real-world problems for our customers and end boat owners. At the same time, we’ll leverage Dometic’s global R&D capabilities to accelerate the best ideas to market. It’s about combining local insight with global strength to deliver solutions that truly resonate in the APAC region.
You hit the ground running with a trip to North America—what were the key outcomes of those meetings?
The trip was an invaluable opportunity to connect physically with our global marine leadership team and immerse myself in the manufacturing heartbeat of Dometic Marine across the North America manufacturing facilities.
I visited several of our key facilities—including Vancouver (Canada), Limerick, Litchfield, and Pompano (USA)—which gave me a firsthand look at our manufacturing capabilities and product innovation. Being on the factory floor, watching our products being built, and speaking directly with machinists and production teams was incredibly insightful.
It gave me a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship, pride, and technical expertise that go into every product we deliver. And perhaps most importantly, it helped build strong relationships across teams—relationships that will be critical as we collaborate to grow the marine business across APAC.
How do you balance strategic leadership with the day-to-day demands of running a multinational division?
It comes down to prioritisation and building a strong, empowered team. My job is to stay focused on where we’re going and why—while trusting and empowering my team to deliver operational excellence every day. Clear communication, regular check-ins, and a shared sense of purpose help us stay aligned and agile. I’m also really looking forward to getting out into the region and meeting customers face-to-face now that I’m back from the U.S.—that’s where the most valuable insights and energy come from. As a leader, staying close to our customers and hearing directly from them is just as important as setting strategy. At the same time, I believe in setting clear direction and milestones so the team knows what success looks like. And while we’re serious about performance, I also think it’s important to have some fun along the way. A positive, engaged team is a high-performing team.
What advice would you give to future leaders aspiring to global or regional roles?
Be curious, be adaptable, and accept that change is a constant. Never stop learning. Some of the most rewarding roles I’ve taken on—including my current one at Dometic—have been outside my technical comfort zone and not necessarily on my career map at the time. I’ve learned to take calculated risks, surround myself with great people, and most importantly, listen. Over time, I’ve also come to appreciate the value of patience and reflection—bold decisions often need time to show their impact. I’ve been fortunate to have mentors and friends who’ve offered honest advice and guidance, and their support has played a big part in my career journey. Global and regional roles come with complexity, but they also give you the opportunity to grow, lead diverse teams, and make a real impact. If you stay authentic, open to feedback, and focused on people, you’ll be well prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
For more information about Dometic – visit their website HERE
