Powell Electronics is officially expanding into Australia and New Zealand, opening a new branch in Sydney and bringing on Dhanya Chandrasekhar as Regional Sales Manager for ANZ. Since joining the team in September 2026, Dhanya has hit the ground running to establish the company’s local footprint alongside Powell Electronics Europe and sister company ECM.
Dhanya knows the industry inside and out. Backed by a background in Electronics and Electrical Engineering, she brings 15 years of hands-on experience in component distribution and contract manufacturing.
Her track record includes managing key accounts for Australian OEMs as Element14’s Regional Sales Manager ANZ, and helping defence and aerospace customers navigate incredibly complex requirements as a Sales Manager at Circuitwise.
This expansion couldn’t happen at a better time. As Australia drives forward with its largest defence build-up in history, there is a massive push toward sovereign manufacturing and local content for both defence and space programs.
In her new role, Dhanya will focus on giving local primes, contract manufacturers, and SMEs direct access to Powell’s authorized franchise lines including Amphenol Aerospace, Glenair, Samtec, and Positronic. Every line comes with the peace of mind of QPL listings, AS9100-certified quality, and complete traceability.
The company takes an engineering-first approach, offering technical design-in support from initial concept straight through to production. It’s a strategy designed to help ANZ customers solve tough technical hurdles, speed up their development cycles, and build much stronger positions within the global defence supply chain.
Leadership Comment
“Powell Electronics is uniquely positioned to support the region’s focus on developing sovereign manufacturing capabilities and increasing local content across its defence and aerospace programmes,” says Gary Evans, CEO, Powell Electronics Europe and Australia. “The company is uniquely positioned to support businesses seeking reliable 
partners who understand the unique challenges of defence and aerospace supply chains, can meet stringent mil-spec requirements and provide responsive support throughout the product lifecycle.”
“I am delighted to lead Powell Electronics’ new Sydney office to establish and grow our presence in Australia and New Zealand as the industry builds its sovereign defence and aerospace capabilities,” says Dhanya Chandrasekhar, Regional Sales Manager ANZ, Powell Electronics Australia. “The company’s priority is to provide local manufacturers with direct access to authorised franchise lines and technical support helping them shorten lead times and build a resilient supply chain.”
Powell Electronics will be exhibiting at the Avalon Australian International Airshow in Victoria on the 23rd to 28th February, 2027.
