More Miami show exhibitors report record-setting results

SARASOTA, Fla., PANAMA CITY, Fla., KENNESAW, Ga. – Reports of record results and strong sales continue in the wake of the Miami Boat Show, with Donzi Marine, Century Boat Co., and Yamaha as the most recent companies to issue releases on the mid-February show.

Donzi Marine, which manufactures high performance powerboats, said in a release yesterday that it booked retail orders for 56 boats with an approximate value of $12 million, which represents an increase of approximately 50 percent over its results at the 2005 show.

Company executives credit their substantial investment in product development as the primary catalyst for Donzi’s success.

“This was the best Miami Boat Show in Donzi’s history,” said Tom Kosto, vice president of sales. “Our research told us that customers were craving new product. We stepped up and delivered an entire new line of performance boats. It is now apparent just how well they have been received.”

Kosto added that high traffic at the show and a generally strengthening market were additional elements of Donzi’s impressive showing.

Donzi introduced its newest models at a press conference on the show’s opening day. Among the new products introduced was Donzi’s new 27 ZR, which joins the company’s lineup of 35′, 38′ and 43′ ZR high performance models.

“This is the fourth ZR we’ve introduced since 2005,” said Lee Kimmell, chairman and CEO of American Marine Holdings, Donzi’s parent company. “Donzi’s sales record is clear evidence of our strategic direction and leadership position in the performance boat industry. Donzi is investing more in new high performance product than any other manufacturer.”

Kimmell said the 27 ZR is unique in that it brings genuine offshore performance to buyers in the sub-$100,000 market.

“We’ve launched eleven new models in fifteen months, six of which are making their Miami Show debut today, and we’re generating plenty of excitement in the process,” said Donzi vice president of marketing, Josh Stickles.

Stickles announced that Donzi had been selected to produce seven boats for the filming of the upcoming Universal Studios film, “Miami Vice.”

“Universal hand-picked these boats,” according to Stickles, who also announced that Donzi is the “Official Vee-Bottom Boat of the Miami Vice Movie.”

“We will be working closely with Universal to promote our involvement in the film,” said Stickles. “You’ll being seeing the Miami Vice Donzis everywhere from now through the premiere.”

Donzi has added a 70,000 square-foot facility to its manufacturing space in the past year and recently completed the acquisition of an additional 2 _-acre parcel adjoining its main production facility with plans for additional growth.

Century Boats

Century Boat Company, Inc., also reported strong results in a release yesterday, calling the Miami Boat Show, “one of its most successful boat show appearances ever.”

Century said it took a record number of orders for its center consoles, walk arounds and bay boats during the show.

“We believe that this is a true testament of both strong consumer confidence, and of Century’s dedication to putting high-quality product on the water,” said Dean Burnett, vice president and general manager.

Bob Berdanier, Century’s national sales manager added that results following the Miami International Boat Show showed strong sales across the range of its large, mid and smaller center console models, as well as the company’s lineup of walk around models.

“While domestic sales were strong, our international sales were much stronger than anticipated,” said Berdanier.

Yamaha dealers and manufacturer partners

Yamaha also issued a press release quoting several of its dealers and boat builder partners who had a very successful Miami show.

“The customers just ran us ragged,” said Capt. Lou Lentine, a Yamaha outboard dealer. “They were obviously waiting for the show. Their pent-up demand was overwhelming, especially on engines for repowering existing boats.

“The follow-up since the show has been just amazing, we’re getting 20 to 30 calls a day. Customers bought 60 engines for repower and 40 were upgrades to the F250 four-stroke.”

Scott Deal, president of Cobia, Maverick, Hewes and Pathfinder brands, was also very pleased with his results.

“We were significantly ahead of last year’s show,” Deal said. “The star performer was our Cobia brand. There was a lot of international interest, too. We signed dealers from France, Italy, French West Indies, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. They all said they liked the look and finish of the Cobia models. The opening of our new factory in Marion, N.C. will enable us to produce an additional 2,000 boats a year, meeting the needs of new and existing dealers.”

“The strong Miami Show results are not only great news for us, but for our dealers and OEM partners,” said Phil Dyskow, Yamaha Marine Group president. “This is our seventh consecutive year of record growth, and the resulting profitability is what allows us to invest in the future and maintain our collective success.”

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