Bertram acquires 120,000-sq.ft. facility in Tampa Bay

American boat builder Bertram announced it has acquired a waterfront facility on Florida’s Gulf Coast where it can build new Bertram yachts and fulfill its customers’ service and refit needs throughout the life cycle of their vessels.

The new Bertram World Headquarters is an existing 120,000-sq.ft. shipyard and marine service facility located at 5250 W. Tyson Avenue in Tampa, immediately south of the Gandy Bridge on Tampa Bay.

“This plant, which already has been operating as a full-service marine facility for decades, is perfect for Bertram in so many ways,” said Peter Truslow, Bertram Yachts CEO. “It will allow us to create a complete Bertram manufacturing and service center in one of America’s most popular year-round boating destinations. The facility has a great layout, with 40-foot-high buildings and high-tech fiberglass construction equipment already in place that we can utilize to build our new Bertram 35’ and larger models. In fact, production of Bertram 35’ Hull No. 3 already is under way in Tampa, and the first Bertram 60 will start construction here later this year.”

By investing in the Tampa facility, Italian industrial corporation Gavio Group delivered on a strategic vision it has held for the builder since acquiring the Bertram brand in 2015.

“From the beginning, my idea was to start in Maine and then move Bertram to Florida − My first choice was Florida,” said Beniamino Gavio, who leads the Group’s yacht brands, including Baglietto, Bertram and Cantieri Cerri. “We believe that Bertram belongs to this country. The Bertram team is an American team, and they know the market very well. Bertram started in Miami, and we want to keep Bertram in Florida in order to preserve the connection with its history.”

Bertram’s new world headquarters fronts directly on Tampa Bay, with a depth of 14 feet at the dock, allowing the builder to sea-trial and deliver new Bertrams to customers 365 days a year. Its footprint encompasses a service center capable of hauling, servicing, painting, repowering and refitting a variety of vessels from small sportfishing boats to superyachts.

“We have two Travelifts, including one that is capable of hauling yachts up to 120 feet in length. The service operation already has jobs booked for boats from 35 to 100 feet,” said Truslow. “This area also has a world-class marine infrastructure. So many of our key suppliers are nearby, including Michael Peters, designer of the new Bertram 35’ and 60’. There are many talented boat builders and service technicians on the Gulf Coast as well.”

While Bertram Yachts already has filled some key positions on its manufacturing and service teams, Truslow said, “We’re here and we’re hiring.”

Gavio, Truslow, Vice President Earl Blackwell, and CFO Francesco Reisoli are developing a business plan for Bertram that will include continuing investment to keep the plant on the cutting edge of boatbuilding technology and the service facility in line with the needs of Bertram’s customers.

“Today, the company is a new company,” Gavio said. “We are working on a five- to six-year plan and we must see every day what the customers want.”

For more information, please call 954-401-1070 or visit www.bertram.com.