More Awards and Company Expansions this week - MarineBusinessWorld North America newsletter
by Peter Rendle 14 Jun 14:00 PDT
2023 IBEX Innovation Awards © National Marine Manufacturers Association
More award news this week. Entries for the awards from IBEX and NMMA are now being accepted.
International BoatBuilders' Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) will be hosting the Innovation Awards program during this year's event, October 3-5 in Tampa, Florida. Don't miss the opportunity to submit your company's new, innovative product or technology. All entries must be submitted by August 23.
Nominations are also being accepted for the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Hall of Fame Award through July 21. NMMA's most prestigious recognition, the annual Hall of Fame Award honors industry icons: visionaries whose outstanding contributions have and continue to advance, guide and transform the recreational boating industry. The NMMA Hall of Fame Award will be presented during the IBEX Industry Breakfast on October 3 in Tampa.
And receiving an award, Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), the world's largest marine technology company, has been named one of the Best Companies to Work For in 2023-2024 by U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, the magazine published its Best Companies for Work-Life Balance and Best Companies for Quality of Pay, with Brunswick finishing in the top ten of all companies on both of those lists.
Of the thousands of publicly-traded companies that were surveyed for this inaugural award, only 200 are recognized across six factors of employee wellbeing including quality of pay and benefits, work/life balance, job and company stability, physical and psychological safety, career development, and belongingness.
While the economy remains a major discussion subject, companies continue to expand or merge. MarineMax Yachts, in collaboration with Fraser Yachts, has expanded their South Florida presence through the opening of a new office in West Palm Beach. The new location will offer yacht sales, charter management and crewing services with a new location in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach. MarineMax Yachts' partnership with Fraser Yachts expands the range of services and yachts available to those over 80' (24m).
Blue Innovations Group (BIG), a sustainable marine technology company based in Pinellas Park, Florida, is pleased to announce the appointment of Setsail World SL in Valencia as an official dealer partner for Spain and Portugal. This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone for BIG as it prepares to launch its highly anticipated R30 all-electric power boat this fall. Led by John Vo, the former Global Head of Manufacturing at Tesla, BIG has rapidly emerged as a leader in the all-electric boat industry.
The company's first product, the R30, is a 30ft electric power boat featuring an impressive 221 kWh battery pack, 800 hp, and solar charging capabilities. With its sleek design and innovative features, the R30 has garnered significant attention from both technology and boating enthusiasts worldwide.
Coboaters, the Rhode Island based co-boating club of North America, is now affiliated with NauticED, an online sailing school. This new partnership will allow Coboaters members to access online sailing lessons and will help NauticED students find boats and crew and start their co-boating adventures. Coboaters introduced the concept of co-boating in North America in early 2022. Co-boating means sharing time on the water and sail more and better with friends. Skippers share their boat while crew members share their time, skills and experience.
For more than a decade, Capt. Chris Parker has been helping recreational boaters on the Chesapeake Bay get home, first as a hired captain and later a port manager of several TowBoatUS on-water towing ports in the Tidewater region. Wanting his own TowBoatUS on-water towing and assistance company, he journeyed east across the bay in 2019 to open TowBoatUS Crisfeld in Maryland. Now on the bay's western shore, the captain is new owner of TowBoatUS Reedville, Virginia, essentially bookending both shores with his company's TowBoatUS coverage.
From Europe: Peters & May, the industry leaders in yacht handling and shipping, transports the first Anthénea eco-friendly Luxury Suite to Doha. After five years of research and development, the luxury pod will join Marina corniche promenade in Porto Arabia at the Pearl-Qatar, June 8-12, where it will be presided over by its new owner.
The smart floating space offers 50 sqm of living area across the main cabin and the rooftop solarium, emphasising the 360-degree nature-filled views available through its circular dome shape. The distinctive shape of this capsule proved an ideal opportunity for Peters & May to demonstrate its expert tailored-lifting capabilities and apply its decades of experience to yet another unique project.
New products this week includes B&G: The world's leading sailing electronics manufacturer, today announced the launch of the Hercules® sailing performance processor, delivering advanced data in an instant, with enhanced settings, and maximized connectivity and compatibility. Additionally, B&G is introducing a new Hercules expansion module, allowing sailors to integrate additional sensors and expand their sailing system for cruising or racing.
"B&G's passion for sailing is what sets us apart and drives the continued innovation we deliver with each new product," said Kevin Steinbraker, VP and General Manager, Digital Systems of Navico Group. "A new solution for advanced cruising and racing sailors, the Hercules sailing processor offers greater compatibility across our suite of sailing electronics. This instrument will take your sailing system to the next level."
Finally, if you know anyone intending to visit the Newport International Boat Show, tickets are now on sale for the 52nd show presented by BankNewport. The event will take place September 14-17 at the Newport Yachting Center Marina in downtown Newport, Rhode Island. "Last year's Show was one of the most successful to date," said Jocelyn Emory, Marketing Director of Newport Exhibition Group.
"Attendance was exceptional and the boats and products on display were innovative and in plenty. We have organized new programming components and expanded areas throughout the Show this year and are confident it's going to be an event to remember!"
More industry news is available on our website at www.marinebusinessworld.com/NorthAmerica
If you want to read about the latest North American powerboat or sailing news, check out these two websites, updated daily:
News and boat tests from the world of leisure powerboats
The world's largest sailing news network
Stay safe,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com