New MI Battery Engineering CEO Bruce Rayment eyes a stronger presence in Australia’s marine industry
Some business leaders arrive in an organisation with a mandate to change its direction. Others bring the experience and judgement required to recognise what is already working, strengthen it and unlock the next stage of its potential.
Bruce Rayment falls firmly into the latter category.
Appointed Chief Executive Officer of Master Instruments, increasingly to be known as MI Battery Engineering, effective 15 June 2026, Rayment brings more than three decades of executive leadership experience across manufacturing, wholesale distribution, industrial technology and the marine sector. His appointment places him at the helm of an Australian-owned business with a substantial history, deep technical capability and significant opportunities in markets being reshaped by electrification, energy storage and increasingly sophisticated DC power systems.
The MI name comes from Master Instruments, a company founded in Sydney in 1942 by Joseph Dunn, his brother Jack and George Woodhead. Its original purpose was to manufacture electrical panel measuring instruments for Australia’s Defence Forces, including equipment required for wartime radar systems. More than eight decades later, the company has evolved into a specialist battery engineering and DC power solutions business, while remaining privately held and Australian owned.
Today, MI Battery Engineering’s activities extend well beyond the supply of conventional batteries. The company imports and distributes batteries, battery chargers, power conversion equipment, renewable energy products and test and measurement systems. It also designs and manufactures specialised battery packs, develops application-specific charging solutions and provides engineering, product development, testing and technical support.
Its facilities include the company’s Sydney headquarters and production operation at Milperra, together with operations in Wangara, Western Australia, and Croydon South in Victoria. Dedicated battery testing facilities in Sydney and Perth allow its engineers to undertake lifecycle, capacity, internal resistance, charge and discharge, safety and real-world simulation testing across different battery chemistries and operating conditions.
For the marine industry, that combination of products and engineering knowledge is particularly relevant. Modern vessels are carrying increasingly complex electrical loads, with navigation electronics, communications equipment, refrigeration, lighting, pumps, entertainment systems, trolling motors, solar generation and onboard connectivity all competing for available power.
MI Battery Engineering’s marine portfolio includes AGM starting and deep-cycle batteries, lithium iron phosphate battery systems and the components needed to manage, charge, convert, protect and monitor onboard power. Through brands including DryPower, VoltGo and Victron Energy, the company can support systems ranging from a straightforward starting and house-bank installation to an integrated energy platform incorporating inverter-chargers, DC-to-DC charging, solar controllers, battery monitoring and remote system management.
The marine connection is equally strong for Rayment personally.
A lifelong boating and fishing enthusiast, he has owned Bar Crusher and Caribbean boats since 2005 and recently worked alongside the Webbe Marine team in a specialist Bar Crusher sales role, more for the passion than the work. Together with his wife Belinda and their two sons, he has achieved more than 120 state and national sport and game fishing records. He has also served as President and committee member of the St George Sportfishing Club and as Secretary and Point Scorer of the Port Hacking Game Fishing Club.
His business credentials are just as substantial. Before joining MI Battery Engineering, Rayment spent 14 years as CEO of the HVG group of companies, where he led the diversified building and graphics products distribution business through considerable growth, supplier acquisitions, portfolio expansion and the development of several market-leading brands. Earlier roles across organisations including Castrol Australia, Pepsi Cola Bottlers Australia and Infomedia helped establish a career grounded in sales, marketing, distribution, brand development and commercial leadership.
On a personal level, I have known Bruce for many years. He is a true gentleman and someone whose business acumen is matched by exceptional people skills. His ability to bring teams together, build trusted relationships and take businesses to new levels has been demonstrated throughout his career.
His appointment therefore represents more than the arrival of an experienced CEO. It brings together an established Australian engineering business, a leader with a proven record of growth and transformation, and a genuine boater who understands firsthand how important reliable electrical power is when people head offshore.
Marine Business News spoke with Bruce Rayment about his appointment, the future of MI Battery Engineering and the company’s ambitions within Australia’s recreational and commercial marine sectors. This is what he had to say:
Congratulations on your appointment. What attracted you to MI Battery Engineering?
Master Instruments, or MI Battery Engineering as we will increasingly be known, has an outstanding heritage. Established in 1942, the business has earned a reputation for engineering expertise, technical knowledge and quality products across a wide range of industries.
What excited me most was the opportunity to build on those strong foundations. The business has exceptional people, respected brands and significant engineering capability. My role is to help unlock that potential by strengthening customer relationships, expanding our selling and marketing efforts and continuing to invest in innovative power solutions.
I’ve spent my career leading Australian manufacturing, distribution and technology businesses, so joining MI Battery Engineering felt like a natural fit.
What opportunities do you see in the marine market?
The marine industry is experiencing a significant transformation.
Boat owners today expect far more from their electrical systems than they did even five years ago – I know I do in my boat. Larger electronics packages, refrigeration, lighting, electric trolling motors, lithium battery technology, solar charging and onboard connectivity are all increasing the demand for reliable and intelligently managed power.
At the same time, boat builders and marine service providers need partners who understand complete energy systems rather than simply supplying batteries.
That is where MI Battery Engineering can genuinely add value.
Our products and engineering capability allows us to work alongside customers to deliver complete battery and power solutions that are reliable, efficient and tailored to each application.
What products are driving that growth?
We have an excellent portfolio that addresses virtually every marine power requirement.
Our DryPower AGM batteries continue to be trusted by recreational and commercial operators for dependable starting and auxiliary power applications.
We’re also seeing strong growth in demand for DryPower and VoltGo lithium batteries as more boat owners embrace lighter weight, faster charging and significantly longer service life. Voltgo lithium batteries carry a 10-year warranty giving the trade and end users peace of mind.
One of the most exciting areas is our partnership with Victron Energy.
Victron has become the global benchmark for integrated marine power management. Their chargers, inverter/chargers, battery monitors, solar controllers, DC-DC chargers and remote monitoring systems allow customers to build sophisticated onboard energy systems with exceptional reliability.
Together, these product ranges enable us to provide complete engineered power solutions rather than simply individual products.
How important is engineering support?
It’s becoming one of the biggest differentiators in our industry.
As marine electrical systems become increasingly sophisticated, customers need technical advice before, during and after installation.
At MI Battery Engineering we have experienced engineers who work closely with OEMs, boat builders, marine electricians and distributors to ensure systems are correctly designed and optimised.
Our objective is to become the trusted technical partner—not simply another supplier.
What are your priorities as CEO?
There are several.
Firstly, we want to continue investing in our people because outstanding customer service starts with knowledgeable and engaged employees.
Secondly, we’re focused on expanding our national presence and strengthening relationships with dealers, OEM manufacturers and industry partners.
Thirdly, we’ll continue investing in engineering capability and new technologies that help customers transition to smarter and more efficient energy systems.
Ultimately, sustainable growth comes from creating value for customers, not simply increasing sales.
Where do you see MI Battery Engineering in five years?
I believe we can become Australia’s leading battery engineering and DC power solutions business.
That means being recognised not only for premium products, but also for engineering expertise, technical support and our ability to solve complex customer challenges.
The marine market will be an important part of that journey.
As vessels continue adopting lithium battery technology, integrated charging systems, solar and electric propulsion, demand for trusted technical partners will only increase.
We intend to be at the forefront of that transition.
Any final message for the marine industry?
Australia has one of the world’s most innovative recreational and commercial marine sectors.
We’re excited to work alongside boat builders, marine dealers, installers and vessel owners to help deliver reliable, efficient and future-ready power solutions.
MI Battery Engineering has been engineering battery and power solutions for decades, and we’re investing in the next chapter of that journey.
I look forward to building new partnerships across the industry and helping power the future of Australian boating.
For more information about MI Battery Engineering, visit their website HERE
To connect with Bruce, find him on LinkedIn HERE
