Recognising the risks of this approach, PowerShield initially set out to improve handheld testing. But the team quickly realised the real opportunity lay elsewhere. “We originally started developing a handheld tester, but very quickly we determined that it would make much more sense to have a permanently installed monitoring system,” Thomas explains. “It’s a bit like having a smoke alarm in your house that only takes a few readings a year – it’s not looking all the time.” 

That shift in thinking helped PowerShield pioneer systems that continuously collect and analyse data, allowing organisations to detect issues early and ensure backup power is ready when it is needed most. The technology is now used across critical infrastructure worldwide. 

From the outset, the company focused not just on performance, but on usability. In its early years, the team worked alongside installers in the field, learning what would make systems easier to install and manage. Today, PowerShield’s systems are known for being both robust and intuitive, with software designed to make complex data easy to act on. 

PowerShield’s growth has been shaped by its early entry into the market. At a time when battery monitoring was still emerging, the team not only developed the technology but also helped educate customers on why continuous monitoring mattered. This early foothold enabled the company to expand from its initial export market in Australia into Asia, Europe and North America – with its systems now installed in more than 50 countries. That trajectory reflects the rapid expansion of global infrastructure, particularly data centres, with the company remaining deliberately focused on battery monitoring and related services. This focus has enabled it to develop deep expertise in a highly specialised field.  

Design and manufacturing have always remained in New Zealand, with the company now operating its own facility in Auckland. “No one is going to care as much as we do about quality,” says Thomas. “By keeping manufacturing in-house, we can ensure systems perform exactly as they should.” 

That New Zealand base also shapes how the company is perceived internationally. “New Zealand is seen as a trusted place for products,” Thomas says. He believes that trust stems in part from how New Zealand businesses operate, particularly their strong emphasis on customer care. “We’ve grown up in a small market where you have to look after your customers. That approach carries through as you grow internationally.” 

As the company expanded globally, Thomas began exploring FernMark certification. “It gives international customers confidence it’s a genuine business the New Zealand Government is willing to stand behind,” Thomas says. “Earning the FernMark means meeting a set of eligibility criteria that reflect that standard.” In global markets, that New Zealand origin also carries a level of neutrality and trust, which can make certification and approval processes more straightforward. For PowerShield, the FernMark acts as an added layer of assurance, reinforcing the credibility of the company and its technology. 

As infrastructure continues to grow in scale and complexity, the goal remains the same: ensuring the systems people rely on are ready when it matters most, and taking New Zealand engineering to the world – backed by a reputation for trust, quality and long-term reliability.