Boating Industry Magazine Announces 2008 Top 100 and Leadership Alliance
MINNEAPOLIS – With many marine businesses struggling under the pressure of today’s economic reality, the boating industry’s future depends now more than ever on consumers’ ability to find dependable dealers capable of exceeding their sales and service expectations for years to come. These consumers now have a trusted source they can turn to, thanks to Boating Industry magazine’s fourth-annual Top 100 Dealers.
This marine dealer ranking has resulted in an incredibly powerful group that collectively generates more than $1.8 billion in annual retail sales. While the U.S. boat industry has recently experienced a decline in unit sales, this group has been thriving, delivering an average year-over-year revenue growth of almost 6 percent.
The Top 100 ranking recognizes those marine dealers that are unsurpassed in overall business operations, customer service, marketing and professionalism. Collectively, the 2008 Boating Industry Top 100 employ nearly 4,800 people and operate 278 retail locations across North America.
“While most industry awards are given to those dealers that sell the most boats, our Top 100 program is much more qualitatively focused,” said Matt Gruhn, Editor-in-Chief of Boating Industry, “thereby leveling the playing field for all dealers and directing consumers to those dealers that can best deliver on the dream that boat ownership promises.”
Topping the list at No. 1 for the second-consecutive year is Anna Maria, Fla.-based Galati Yacht Sales; followed by Seattle Boat Co., based in Seattle, Wash.; Prince William Marine Sales, Inc, based in Woodbridge, Va.; The Sail & Ski Centers, based in Austin, Texas; and Hall Marine Group, based in Lake Wylie, S.C. Nearly 300 people joined Boating Industry to honor the Top 100 Dealers at a black-tie celebration Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Boating Industry’s editorial staff reviewed almost 350 applications, culled from more than 3,000 nominations. The applications asked both quantitative and qualitative questions regarding all aspects of marine dealer operations.
“The Boating Industry Top 100 has, in short order, become the most coveted award in the marine market,” explained Tammy Galvin, Vice President of Affinity Boating Media. “Marine dealers are on the front line with consumers every day, and this is one way we can help provide much needed benchmarking information for all other dealers to measure themselves against.”
Boating Industry bestowed five additional Best In Class awards to dealers ranked at the top of their categories. Seattle Boat Co. (ranked 2), based in Seattle, Wash., is the highest-ranking dealer with five or six stores. Action Water Sports (ranked 15), based in Hudsonville, Mich., is the highest-ranking dealer with three or four stores. Prince William Marine Sales, Inc. (ranked 3), based in Woodbridge, Va., is the highest-ranking dealer with one or two stores. Woodard Marine Inc. (ranked 13), based in Hydeville, Vt., is the highest-ranking dealer with revenue under $4 million. Sea Ray of Cincinnati, Louisville and Lexington (ranked 42), based in Cincinnati, Ohio, was noted as the most-improved Top 100 Dealer.
To help bring the Boating Industry Top 100 to life, Affinity Boating Media, the magazine’s parent company, created the Leadership Alliance, an elite group of the marine industry’s leading suppliers. These companies were invited to participate because they possess, as one of their corporate values, a true belief in and commitment to raising the bar of professionalism across all marine industry sectors, and particularly for dealers.
The 2008 Leadership Alliance members include: BRP US Inc. /Evinrude, GE Capital Solutions, BoatTrader.com, Volvo Penta, ADP Lightspeed, Honda Marine, Channel Blade, Manheim Specialty and the Marine Retailers Association of America.
Meet the 2008 Leadership Alliance:
Boating Industry magazine, a 79-year-old business-to-business publication owned by Ventura, Calif.-based Affinity, is the most authoritative and widely respected magazine serving the marine industry. Visit to learn more about the Top 100 and view the inaugural winners.
BRP U.S. Inc./Evinrude, Sturtevant, Wis., has been delivering quality recreational experiences for people around the world for more than six decades. In 2001, Evinrude and Johnson outboard engines joined the Bombardier family, and in 2003 after extensive R&D, the company released Evinrude E-TEC, which revolutionized the outboard engine industry. BRP also produces such innovative products and brands as Sea-Doo watercraft and sport boats, Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Rotax karts and engines and Bombardier ATVs and utility vehicles. Visit www.evinrude.com
GE Commercial Finance, Hoffman Estates, Ill., creates customized financing programs to help manufacturers sell more products and dealers stock optimal levels of inventory to drive more sales. With more than 50 years of experience serving the marine industry, CDF supports its customers with the industry’s most knowledgeable staff and provides a single point of contact for support. CDF is a recognized leader in the marine industry because it is dedicated to helping customers improve cash flow and grow their businesses though an array of financing programs and services. Visit: www.gecommercialfinance.com
BoatTrader.com, the online portal for Boat Trader Magazine, is the nation’s largest boating classified source. Headquartered in Norfolk, Va., BoatTrader.com displays more than 110,000 boats to an audience of 2.2 million visitors nationwide each month. It serves as a convenient and effective advertising forum for boat dealers and brokers. The company’s goal is to make it easier and faster for its dealers to expand their online presence and to ultimately sell more boats. For more information on Boat Trader, call 877-354-4069 or visit: www.BoatTrader.com
Volvo Penta is a leading global manufacturer of engines and complete power systems for marine and industrial applications. Founded in 1907, Volvo Penta has become the fastest-growing marine engine company in the world by constantly developing innovative new products and services. The company introduced its first outboard engine in 1922, the first in-line 6-cylinder diesel in 1946, the first sterndrive in 1959, the first duo-prop in 1982 and Electronic Diesel Control in 1995. Then, in 2004 Volvo Penta changed the face of marine propulsion forever with the Volvo Penta Inboard Performance System (IPS). In addition to the Volvo Penta IPS, the company introduced the Volvo Penta IPS Joystick, which allows boaters the easiest handling and maneuverability available. For more information on Volvo Penta, visit: www.volvo.com/volvopenta.
ADP Lightspeed is no stranger to the automotive, heavy truck and powersports markets where its software programs rank No. 1 in all three industries and have reigned there for years. Now, backed by the powerful Automatic Data Processing Company, the LightspeedMarine dealer management system is quickly growing toward becoming the No. 1 provider in the marine industry as well. LightspeedMarine features five integrated modules to help you manage every element of your dealership more effectively and profitably. With LightspeedMarine on deck, you’ll be able to steer your business with more precision than ever before. For more information on ADP Lightspeed, visit: www.adplightspeed.com.
From automobiles and motorcycles to power equipment and outboard marine engines, the Honda name is synonymous with a proud legacy of technological innovation and leadership. Honda Maine has remained at the forefront of this tradition of innovation for more than 40 years, working to continually change the shape of the marine industry. In 1973, Honda introduced the first full line of 4-stroke outboard engines in the United States – long before other outboard manufacturers realized the advantages of this type of clean, reliable power and followed suit. The world’s preeminent engine manufacturer, Honda sells nearly 20 million engines globally across all product lines each year. This high production volume, coupled with the company’s deep level of experience and commitment to precision manufacturing techniques, has allowed Honda to remain the leader in 4-stroke technology. For more information on Honda Marine, visit: www.honda-marine.com.
Channel Blade Technologies, branded for the company’s sharp focus on the entire distribution channel of its clients, provides innovative Web solutions to the Marine, RV and Powersports industries. Channel Blade’s development of eXcelerateProTM, Branded Flow Technology™ and the Footsteps™ Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool revolutionized the way the recreation industry does Web-enabled business by driving customers from online leads to the showroom, ultimately resulting in more successful sales. Channel Blade believes in order to create solutions for customers; you need to have their input. Thus, throughout the process of bringing a solution concept from idea, to development, to deployment; their team engages with customers to ensure they are focusing on the functionality and benefits they need. For more information on Channel Blade, visit: www.channelblade.com.
Manheim, a trusted name in the auction industry for more than 60 years, created Manheim Specialty Auctions in 2003 to meet the growing needs of customers looking for vehicles other than the traditional automobile. Previously, Manheim sold boats and specialty units through the regular auction lanes alongside used cars. As the demand for specialty vehicles increased, Manheim created auctions with sales dedicated to boats, RVs, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and PowerSport vehicles at 20 locations nationwide. For more information on Manheim Specialty Auctions, visit: www2.manheim.com/products/specialty_auctions.
The Marine Retailers Association of America is the leading not-for-profit organization aimed at promoting the recreational marine industry and the welfare of the marine retailer. The association raises the standards of retailing within the industry, provides its members a common source of information concerning all aspects of marine retailing and serves as the voice within the industry and in Washington regarding issues concerning marine dealers nationwide. Visit: www.mraa.com.
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