Albemarle sold to private owner
EDENTON, N.C. – Scott McLaughlin has purchased Albemarle Boats from Brunswick Corp., the new owner reported in a statement yesterday.
“Our focus is on building great boats, providing exemplary customer service, and on maintaining the tradition of Eastern North Carolina boat building,” he stated.
The Eastern North Carolina businessman, who also owns Cypress Cove Marina in Columbia, N.C., told The News & Observer that despite the industry’s current troubles, “it’s a good time to acquire a boat manufacturer.”
The newspaper reported that the deal closed on Dec. 31. While terms of the transaction were not disclosed, McLaughlin told the newspaper Brunswick wanted a cash deal with “two commas in the equation.”
The new owner plans to retain the current management team, including Vice President and General Manager Burch Perry, and continue the brand’s “strong traditional of boat building that has spanned over 31 years,” according to a press release from the company.
McLaughlin acknowledged Perry, the grandson of Albemarle founder Scott Harrell, stating, “His long commitment to this company and his family heritage make him a perfect fit to continue to lead the company. He has also assembled an enthusiastic team of managers that is poised to lead the company out of this economic downturn and into the future.”
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