Snorkel appoints managing director in New Zealand

Snorkel has appointed Jonathan ‘Jonno’ Tulitt as the new managing director of its New Zealand manufacturing facility.

Tulitt brings more than 20 years’ experience to the role across multiple industries, including passenger rail operations and rail rolling stock manufacturing and engineering.

Jonathan Tulitt, managing director of Snorkel’s New Zealand manufacturing facility

He replaces Rob Theunissen, who was president of Snorkel New Zealand, manufacturing manager and company director upon his retirement in December 2021. 

In his 22-year career, Tulitt has worked for Transdev Australasia (and Veolia Transport, prior to its acquisition by Transdev), in their Auckland and Wellington operations including as performance manager, operations manager, fleet controller, project engineer, general manager of operations, and acting chief operating officer.

As general manager of operations for Transdev Wellington, he was able to exceed forecasted performance and earnings in 2020 despite the impact of Covid-19. Prior to his lengthy career at Transdev/Veolia, Tulitt worked as operations manager for Bombardier Transportation.

He also served for 11 years in the New Zealand Air Force as a qualified armament technician undertaking aircraft maintenance, component servicing, explosive store housing and accounting.

Of his new role, Jonathan said, “I changed industries and joined Snorkel New Zealand as I was looking for a new challenge from a professional perspective. Snorkel is a well known brand, and the opportunity to join a thriving company and contribute to its continued success was too good an opportunity to pass up. The locality of the business also enables me to work closer to home and spend more time with family.”

Matthew Elvin, CEO of Xtreme Manufacturing and Snorkel, added, “We are excited to have Jonno join our team. He is dynamic, energetic and results driven. I am very confident in his ability to combine a hands-on approach with structured business development strategies that will enable him to deliver exceptional results.”

Jonathan replaces Rob Theunissen who retired in December 2021. Rob was president of Snorkel New Zealand, manufacturing manager and company director upon his retirement.