U.K. marine electronics retailer opens U.S. operation

NEWBURYPORT, Mass. – U.K.-based marine electronics retailer Cactus Navigation & Communication has opened a new sales, service and installation center in Newburyport, Mass., it reported in a statement today.

Cactus provides marine electronics sales and service for a variety of brands, including Garmin, Furuno, Standard, Icom, Raymarine, Navico, Digital Yacht, Tacktick, ACR, Mcmurdo as well as other marine electronics manufacturers.

“We supply a large number of European boatbuilders with equipment and many of their boats are exported to the U.S.,” stated Andrew Smythe, managing director of Cactus. “With the opening of our stateside operation, we are able to offer global sales and service capability as well as support the U.S. market directly.”

The U.S. operation will be managed by Talbot Pratt, a lifelong boater and industry veteran with experience in sales, marketing and technical support, according to the company. The founder of Navico Inc., Pratt held several management positions including vice president of Autohelm at Raytheon Marine Co. in the 90s. and more recently, CEO at MapTech.

“Cactus is a new breed of marine electronics retailer, reaching out further and faster, utilizing the internet as our primary communications vehicle,” explained Pratt, CEO, Cactus Marine. “Not to be confused with standard e-tailers, who sell a broad selection of marine parts strictly on the concept of a quick turnaround with no human support, Cactus Marine establishes long term relationships with customers and specializes in only marine electronics.”

The primary interface to the American public will be through www.cactusmarine.com as well as toll free telephone support.

“We’re here to help customers select, install, use, and support the equipment we represent,” added Pratt.

The company’s web based infrastructure allows Cactus to provide customer support at a lower cost than traditional brick and mortar companies with savings passed onto customers, it said.

Cactus Marine is developing a Nationwide Marine Electronics Installers Group to provide services for customers wherever their boat happens to be. The company said it is actively soliciting independent installers interested in becoming a Cactus partner.

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