Boating Industry Intelligence You Can Profit From
BRP hit the 75,000 unit milestone at its sport boat manufacturing facility in Benton, Ill., as the 21-foot 2010 Sea-Doo 210 Challenger SE rolled off the line on Feb. 11. In operation since 1996, there are currently 362 people who work in the facility. The 398,264-square-foot building was recently upgraded with energy efficient HIF lighting systems and a host of lean manufacturing tools, according to the company. It offers an array of semi-automated computer controlled fiberglass processes and automotive style assembly lines.
Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), has been appointed to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. Created in 1993, the advisory panel counsels the Secretary on nationally significant recreational fishing, boating and aquatic resource conservation issues. The announcement was made on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. at the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation reception for members of Congress. The Secretary also announced the appointment of 18 other individuals to the Council. All appointments’ terms begin immediately and each member will serve on the Council for two years. Three alternate Council members were also appointed and may attend meetings and vote when the primary member is unable to attend. Click here for the release from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service including detailed information on the Council and its other 2010 appointments.
Marine electronics firm Simrad Yachting has launched a limited-time Spring Sales Event promotion that provides cash rebates on its most popular products. Beginning March 1 through May 31, consumers who purchase qualified Simrad Yachting marine electronics from an authorized dealer will receive cash rebates. Simrad Yachting Spring Sales Event rebates are only available on purchases made in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Rebate forms are available from authorized dealers, or by download from www.simrad-yachting.com/timeforanupgrade/us/. Purchases on eligible marine electronics made beginning Feb. 8 will also be honored as part of the event. Rebate claims must be mailed no later than June 30 along with a copy of the dated receipt and the original bar code from the product box. For more information on the promotion, qualified products or Simrad Yachting marine electronics, visit www.simrad-yachting.com.
The Edson Corp. has expanded the territory of sales representative Rick Collier of Pacific Focus Associates, who will be now representing Edson in the California marine OEM and aftermarkets. Collier will continue to provide representation for Edson in both Oregon and Washington State. As a long time member of the Southern California marine industry, Collier is well known in his tenure as West Marine store manager in Newport Beach, Calif. He also has produced sales for many marine lines since becoming a manufacturers’ representative.
At the Palm Beach International Boat Show, live tapings of Ship Shape TV will take place from a full soundstage located on-site at the Meyer Amphitheatre. Ship Shape TV is a half-hour boat improvement “how-to” series where each week viewers are taught how to accessorize, make improvements, and repair and maintain their boats. Through the four days of the show, Meyer Amphitheatre will be transformed into a fully working studio, equipped with sets, cameras and camera cranes and bleachers for a live studio audience. Tickets to the tapings will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis up to 300 people.
The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA) have created a new program aimed at promoting environmental and ocean conservation among Florida Keys visitors who rent a personal watercraft (PWC). The Blue Rider Ocean Awareness and Stewardship Program launched a complementary educational Web site with user etiquette tips and information on the sanctuary, www.BlueRiderPWC.com.
A new bait shop locator containing over 10,000 shops in the U.S. and Canada has been launched for the iPhone. Bait Shops will provide a list of shops in proximity to your current location or you can enter your desired location’s zip code or select a city, and it will provide you a list of possible shops to fill your bait and tackle needs. Once a shop of interest is located, its location can be fed to the built-in Maps application to obtain directions. The application Web site is located at www.derektrauger.com/Products/BaitShops.aspx