About Mackay

Brief History:
The origin of Mackay Communications stem back to 1884, when John Mackay founded the Commercial Cable Company; operating a network of telegraph and transatlantic cable-laying operations; connecting North America to Europe via Ireland, and beyond, through the 1920’s.  In 1925, the company expanded into radio communications and evolved into a large multinational company, which was ultimately acquired by ITT in 1940.

Mackay was divested in 1987 and became Mackay Communications, Inc.®, a privately held company, headquartered in Raleigh, NC, USA, with MACKAY-owned sales & service facilities in 17 U.S, eight (8) Canadian ports, Panama, Chile, Brazil (4) and strategic European (14), Middle-East (3), South African (4) & Asian (15) locations .  Mackay’s Marine World Service group extends its coordination network of global services available with over 90 agencies worldwide.

Mackay Communications Today:
Mackay’s mission is to provide the most comprehensive and cutting edge product portfolio, competitive pricing, and client-centered maritime electronics equipment sales and service, and terrestrial satellite communications packages, to commercial, governmental, energy, and private industries worldwide.

We serve our customers via direct sales, project integration teams, on-demand and contractual service & maintenance, and industry-specific groups.  Mackay’s dedicated divisions and teams include Mackay Marine (Direct Sales & OTC Global Fulfillment Centers, and Project Management Group), Marine World Service (24/7 maritime service, & Cobham/Thrane Regional Workshops & Onboard Service Centers), Mackay Government Group, and Mackay Satellite.

Mackay offers our diverse range of clients a full breadth of products, by partnerning with leading and specialized global manufacturers, representing over 50 leading & specialty electronic equipment suppliers.  Our comprehensive line includes high quality electronics for navigation, communications, below-deck & anti-pollution monitors, and safety & security applications.

Mackay continues to evolve by expanding its presence in complimentary markets such as:

•    Commercial Fishing Products & Service: 
  • Mackay’s 2015 acquisition of CMC Electronics’ commercial marine business, established a Mackay Marine Canada team; providing an extended array of products and services, growing to eight (8) Canadian ports locations; complementing Mackay’s business.  Mackay Canada uniquely offers an extensive cadre of decades-long expertise servicing in the Atlantic Commercial Fishing Market.
  • In 2018, Mackay established itself in the Pacific Northwest Commercial Fishing Arena (North America) , with facilities in Ballard (northern Seattle), WA and Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and a seasonal shop in Naknek during the Alaskan Salmon B-Season.  Mackay Ballard & Dutch Harbor provide a full-line of leading Fishing Electronics, Satcom, Parts, together with Equipment Service/Installation for hundreds of customers in that region.
•  Mackay Satellite Division  was a natural evolution, capitalizing on satellite technology explosion, after decades of providing global customers with radio communications.  Mackay’s dedicated sales and service team represents the leaders of all satellite communication platforms (Inmarsat, Iridium, KVH, multiple VSAT providers & the new revolutionary LEO Ku-Band Network, requiring Flat Panel ESA Terminals), providing satellite terminals and handsets for marine and land-mobile applications to commercial, private, and government sectors.  Visit the Satellite Solutions segment of this site for our complete line of satellite equipment & airtime options.

Mackay Marine Service, represents the largest sector of Mackay’s business, with expertise in 24/7 coordination and global maritime service for every class and size vessel.  Mackay is certified to provide authorized service on all major brands, with the technical expertise to service most ALL electronic marine products. In addition to “On-Demand Service”, new-build & retrofit installation, periodic required inspections, certifications service, Lump-Sum Global pricing, and maintenance contracts (including consolidated equipment repair review) are available.  Our goal is to keep vessels operating in the most expeditious timeframe with cost-efficient service solutions.

• Our Mackay World Service team arranges global service 24/7 from four continents at Mackay Service Coordination Centers, with multiple technical coordinators located in Houston, TX (US); Rotterdam, NL; Mumbai, IN; and  Hong Kong, HK; ensuring customers receive prompt attention.  Service, installation, & inspections are predominantly carried out by Mackay Technicians from our 65+ global locations, or if more convenient, arranged to be served by our 90+ service agents.
• Mackay’s Marine Service Technicians receive regular training to stay current on existing and new product specifications, and regulatory requirements.  Mackay is committed to providing top-notch, efficient and cost-conscious marine service personnel, whose expertise is evident, in part, by the longevity of Mackay’s Marine Technician’s experience; currently averaging 12 years.

Mackay Communications’ long history of experience and partnerships enhance our ability to offer customers the most advanced product solutions in the market today; coupled with our dedicated service team, we’re committed to keeping your operations running efficiently from any of Mackay’s strategic locations or network of collaborative global agents.

When it comes to one-stop, worldwide electronic equipment, satellite networking, and quality service capabilities, for marine, offshore, and land-mobile applications, the company to rely on is Mackay Communications, Inc.®