Southco Marine expands boat hardware portfolio
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Southco Inc., Southco Marine’s parent company, has expanded its line of products for the boat building industry with the acquisition of Orcas Marine Products, Inc., Crystal River, Fla., Southco Inc. said in a statement Wednesday. The Orcas line of stainless steel marine deck hardware will be marketed under Southco’s dedicated marine business unit, Southco Marine, which designs and integrates boat hardware touch points and other marine products for boat manufacturers.
Orcas’s hardware, which includes cleats, tank vents and fills, drains, rod holders, hinges, latches and railing components compliments Southco’s existing marine product offerings and offers expanded one-stop integration opportunities for boat builders, said Richard Hipp, Southco Marine general manager.
“With the addition of the Orcas line of hardware, Southco Marine has expanded its product capabilities in another major application zone of the boat—the deck,” Hipp said. “By combining the product development talents of the two organizations, we can help marine industry designers create new, innovative hardware solutions to help differentiate their vessels from bow to stern.”
Oren Cotton, Orcas Marine Products, Inc. founder and former president, will be director of marine product innovation, reporting to Hipp. Two other major principals of the company, Barbara and Charles Head, will remain on as consultants with Southco Marine to enable a smoother transition to the new company configuration. Southco Marine plans to expand its Florida-based warehouse and order fulfillment center to continue to improve overall delivery and service levels.
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