Boat builders change buying groups
BENTON, Ill. – Former United Marine Manufacturers Association members Sea Hunt Boats, Parker Marine, and Key West Boats have left the buying group to join another, Independent Boat Builders, Inc., according to a recent statement from IBBI.
“Although these three outstanding builders were pursued by other buying groups, we are very pleased they have chosen to join the IBBI team,” said IBBI President Tom Broy. “Together these companies represent over 80 years in boat manufacturing, and they are exactly the kind of long-established builders that fit our select profile. Our members today embody the most cohesive group of builders in IBBI’s 16-year history.”
“IBBI has shown a spirit of innovation and a focus on leveraging group volume to negotiate the very best volume discounts with the marine industry’s leading suppliers,” commented Linwood Parker of Parker Marine.
IBBI currently has 23 member-owners with a combined sales volume over $1 billion.
In related news, UMMA reported today that it has added three new member companies – Sea Sport Boats in Bellingham, Wash., Summerset Houseboats, based in Somerset, Ky., and Lake Raider Marine (Voyager) from Camdenton, Mo..
“We are pleased and proud to add one of the premier builders in the Northwest and one of the major builders of aluminum pontoon and fishing boats in Voyager,” commented Kent Wooldridge, UMMA president. “Summerset is the oldest and largest builder of houseboats in the in the marine industry and, together with their sister company American Waterways of Monticello, Ky., give us a very strong position in this growing market segment.
Wooldridge added that UMMA is committed to growing its purchasing volume in support of its supplier partners to ensure that its members remain competitive in face of the efforts to consolidate the industry.
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