CHRIS BYAL JOINS TDS AS PRODUCTS MANAGER

Chris Byal, new Products Manager at Teakdecking Systems, bringing 40 years of experience in sales and distribution

We are excited to announce that Chris Byal has joined TDS as Product Manager. Chris's career spans an impressive 40 years of experience in sales and product distribution. Prior to joining TDS, he worked as a Sales Engineer for an upholstery manufacturer, before becoming General Manager for a boat manufacturer. Most notably, Chris spent the last 34 years as a Manufacturer´s Representative for Marine accessories, where he formed strong relationships within the marine community.

 

Chris will play a pivotal role in expanding the company's global footprint by identifying opportunities in new countries and territories. With his extensive experience and industry insights, Chris will lead initiatives to establish strong partnerships and distribution channels in emerging markets.

 

Moreover, Chris will spearhead the development of innovative new products, leveraging his expertise to anticipate market trends and customer needs. By fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration, Chris will ensure that TDS remains at the forefront of decking solutions.

 

Expressing his enthusiasm for joining the TDS team, Chris said: “I am excited to embark on this new chapter with TDS. The company’s commitment to excellence and innovation in decking and products is unparalleled, and I look forward to contributing to its continued success”.

 

Richard Strauss, CEO stated “We are delighted to welcome Chris Byal to our team. His extensive background and industry knowledge will be invaluable as we continue to grow and develop our products department. We are excited about the fresh perspective and know-how he brings to the team, and we are confident that under his guidance, our products department will reach new heights”.


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February 13, 2026
For that reason, you want to start by discussing the project with the service manager at the yard that normally services the boat. In that discussion, you will want to learn the following: Is there a shed or watertight tent large enough to enclose the project, or is there another solution for preventing the weather from causing damage or delay? If the boat is hauled, can it be staged with scaffolding for safety, if necessary? Does the yard have qualified personnel to perform the necessary tasks? These include: Properly protecting the boat's surfaces from damage during the refit. Removing any deck hardware that is in the way, this may require taking down headliners or removing interior trim to access the fasteners. If a replacement teak deck is required, can and how will they remove the existing teak without damaging the rest of the vessel, including the structural deck beneath the current teak deck? After removing the existing teak, are they qualified to inspect and make any necessary repairs to the structural deck? On fiberglass boats, damage may appear as soft spots due to compromised structural core material. In some cases, on metal vessels, it may be necessary to replace damaged sections of plating. Do they have marine carpentry skills to properly final fit and install the new modular teak deck system? With the new deck installed, do they know how to reinstall the deck hardware properly and, if a sailboat, install and tune the rig? Are they capable of re-commissioning the vessel and any systems disabled during the refit? What is the proposed schedule and timeline for the refit? What is the estimated budgetary cost, and which of these costs can be assured? If the yard is not a suitable fit for the project, can they recommend an alternative solution?
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