All articles by Michael Verdon – Page 5
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Industry Insider | Dustan McCoy
With the US marine industry hitting its worst slump for a decade, Brunswick CEO and chairman Dusty McCoy talks to IBI about the tough choices the company has had to make and its strategy for growth going forward.
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BUSINESS REPORT | USA equipment report: Green marine: Bass Products’ new production facility sets industry standards for environmental friendliness
The new 375kW generator not only allows Bass to sell electricity back to the power grid, but lets the electrical panel manufacturer show off new products to clients.
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BUSINESS REPORT | USA equipment report: Paneltronics is embracing new technology as the way forward. But the bigger question is: Will the market embrace its technology?
Its new PowerSign multiplexing system is considered state of the art, but is the marine industry ready for the future?
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BUSINESS REPORT | USA equipment report: ES Ritchie & Sons
The world’s largest marine compass manufacturer is a welcome anachronism in these days of outsourcing.
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BUSINESS REPORT | USA equipment report: Northern migration
Hurricanes, high taxes and insurance are prompting some equipment manufacturers to relocate from Florida. Is this the beginning of a long-term exodus?
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BUSINESS REPORT | USA equipment report: Counterfeiting with impunity
With little resolution in sight, Chinese counterfeiting continues to plague the USA equipment industry.
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BUSINESS REPORT | USA equipment report: In the highly competitive boat care products niche, Star brite continues to shine — and expand into new markets
The publicly traded company has come a long way since 1973 when it launched four products. Now 900 SKUs strong, it is reporting record sales and profits.
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BUSINESS REPORT | USA equipment report: Australian invasion
A group of Australian equipment manufacturers answer the siren song of the US market, but one longtime Aussie veteran knows it’s a tough playing field.
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BUSINESS REPORT | USA equipment report
“Flat is the new up” is the catchphrase among US equipment builders who are watching boat sales plummet to the lowest levels since 1965. But distributors say the aftermarket is relatively healthy, and exports continue to gain ground.
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New-Build Update | USA: Currency conversions
The weakness of the US dollar has made US superyacht builders look very attractive to strong currency regions such as Europe. Michael Verdon reviews new-build activity.
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Stern talk | Paolo Vitelli: President, Azimut-Benetti
Paolo Vitelli celebrated a milestone of sorts last summer when the group’s Benetti operation delivered 13 yachts over 30m (98ft), 11 of them over the course of 15 days! And during 2007, 16 more 30m-plus Benettis should have been handed over. Not surprisingly, as far as Vitelli is concerned, business ...
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World News Focus | EPA permits: US boating industry faces licensing threat
A potential US Coast Guard boater licensing programme and an EPA permit scheme could put a severe damper on sales, say industry advocates. NMMA’s Dammrich calls the EPA permit plan “the worst thing to hit the industry since the luxury tax”.
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Feature | Design platforms: Software - The Catia’s Meow
Dassault Systèmes’ CATIA and ENOVIA SmarTeam are changing design processes.
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Stern talk | His Excellency Mohammad Hussain Al Shaali, Chairman, Gulf Craft
Having begun his career as a boat distributor, Al Shaali founded Gulf Craft in the UAE in 1982. His first model was a 4.6m (15ft) runabout, but since then he has grown the company and its portfolio to span 6m-40m (20ft-130ft); and already has plans to expand to 46m (150ft).
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World News Focus | Bateau bleu: Derelict hulls? FIN explores recycling GRP
While the proposal is still far from reality, France’s marine trade association FIN (Fédération des Industries Nautiques) hopes to develop a series of high-tech centres for recycling old boats within the next three years. The BPHU (Bateaux de Plaisance Hors d’Usage) project is another example of the trade association’s long-term ...
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World News Focus | Bateau bleu: In France, blue means green
The ‘Label Bateau Bleu’ programme is one of several environmental initiatives that the French marine trade association (FIN) is spearheading before the onset of tougher regulations.
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BUSINESS REPORT | US boats: Brunswick programme set to “redefine dealer-manufacturer relations”
Brunswick chairman Dustan McCoy unveiled a potentially revolutionary programme called Brunswick Dealer Advantage at the Miami Boat Show. It offers Brunswick boat or motor dealers in the US a suite of services that range from discounted office supplies to multi-year sales agreements. “Dealer Advantage eclipses anything being offered in the ...
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BUSINESS REPORT | US boats: Yacht segment
Regardless of the definition, bigger is better in the booming yacht market
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BUSINESS REPORT | US boats: Inboard segment - Gobbling up market share from sterndrive manufacturers
A decade ago, inboard-powered ski and wakeboard boats were little more than a niche market that generated about 2,500 units per year in sales. Over the last three years, the segment has seen prolonged growth, with 11,603 units sold at retail in 2004, 12,425 in 2005, and the NMMA is ...
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BUSINESS REPORT | US boats: Sailboat segment
Despite pockets of brisk sales, sailing’s stuck in the doldrums
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