New owners resurrect Warrior Boat brand
MELROSE, Minn. — Four businessmen are working to bring the Warrior boat brand back to the marketplace, according to a release. The new owners purchased all rights to the name, trademark, molds, jigs, tools and other assets and are making plans for the future.
The principals are Chuck Barth, owner of Tamarack Kennels; Dave Anderson, a pro walleye angler; Joe Hellerman, former owner of Melrose Marine and Sports and a former Warrior dealer; and Al Leinen, co-owner of St. Rosa Lumber Company.
Hellermann began his marine career in 1985 as a marine technician. He joined Melrose TV & Marine in 1989, and purchased and expanded it into Melrose Marine & Sports in 1999. It was sold in 2007. His service background includes factory OEM training on Yamaha, Mercury, Evinrude, Johnson and Suzuki outboards.
“The goal will be to build the six top-selling models, and have others available on special order,” Barth said. The new boats will be ready for shows in December and the group plans to sell via marine dealers.
At the peak of Warrior’s production, they were building about 300 boats per year, and to start, the new company will employ about 10 people, including some of the key personnel from the former factory. The new company will select from among four communities bidding to locate there.
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