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It's all about acquisitions and expansions this week - MarineBusinessWorld North America newsletter

by Peter Rendle 6 Dec 2023 14:00 PST
Sunstream® acquires Sarasota Boating World © Sunstream Boat Lifts

Sunstream® Boat Lifts, the leading manufacturer of high-quality hydraulic boat lifts, the SwiftShield™ Automatic Boat Cover System and pioneer of the hydraulic boat lift, announced today the company has acquired Sarasota Boating World, located in Sarasota, Florida.

"The acquisition will greatly assist Sunstream in expanding our Boat Cover product line by insourcing the digital design and manufacturing of custom covers for SwiftShield, and will further enhance our supply chain," said Ken Hey, CEO of Sunstream. "We look forward to expanding our presence in the southeast region and supporting our dealers with more efficient access to Sunstream products.

"The team at Sarasota Boating World is thrilled to be part of Sunstream's explosive growth in Florida, especially with SwiftShield and the new Helix high-speed hydraulic piling lift," said Stefan Petrov of Sarasota Boating World. "Having worked with Sunstream products for years, we are firm believers in the Sunstream vision of making boating easier and more enjoyable."

French company the Wichard Group, who specialize in the design, manufacture, and distribution of products for the marine and industrial markets, is proud to announce the successful acquisition of Axxon Composites, a renowned company specializing in the manufacture of composite masts, booms and rigging. This acquisition marks a crucial step in the Wichard Group's growth strategy, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and quality. Axxon Composites, renowned for its expertise in the manufacture of high-performance composite parts, will bring its unique know-how to the Wichard Group's portfolio of brands.

Closer to home, Banshee Marine Audio, a boat builder-focused audio company, announced today its acquisition by Poly-Planar LLC, one of the longest operating outdoor entertainment brands. Banshee founder Dan Soeters will take over as President for the combined companies. Soeters has been in the marine audio business for over 20 years in several international markets and founded Banshee Marine Audio after leaving his role as Global Sales Director of Fusion, a Garmin brand.

A household name with a history of almost 60 years in the marine industry, Poly-Planar has seen increasing success in the pool, spa and outdoor audio markets. Both brands will continue to focus on growth in their best-performing market segments.

Expansions include Vision Marine Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: VMAR), a global leader and innovator within the performance electric recreational boating industry, excited to announce a significant expansion in Riviera Beach, Florida this month through a strategic partnership with Blue Water Boat Rental, a leader in internal combustion engine boat rentals. This move marks a key milestone in Vision Marine's strategic plan, reflecting a commitment to broaden the reach and impact of sustainable electric boating.

Also Dream Yacht Worldwide, a leading sea-based vacation and global yacht charter company, has announced the renewal of its catamaran fleet in the South Pacific, Caribbean, and Americas regions. The French West Indies will be getting 27 new boats, 10 will go to Tahiti and 40 will be delivered to the Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands.

This fleet renewal further strengthens Dream Yacht Worldwide's position as a leading yacht charter company and pioneer in making sailing accessible for all. In total, Dream Yacht has 850 boats available from 42 bases across the globe.

People: Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), this week announced the promotion of Richard Straka to general manager of Mercury Canada. Straka joined Mercury in 2021 as category director and most recently served as director of supply chain and operations strategy. He previously held positions at GE Capital and Wells Fargo.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to accept the General Manager role with Mercury Marine in Canada," Straka said. "I have enjoyed working with the Canadian marine industry for many years and have witnessed the excellence and innovation that Mercury delivers to the market. I am proud to be part of a talented and dedicated team that is committed to serving our customers and supporting marine businesses and activities across Canada."

And what would our newsletter be without news of an award? In recognition of their ongoing commitment to promoting responsible boating practices, the Sea Tow Foundation is proud to name Sea Tow Smith Mountain Lake as the 2023 recipient of the prestigious Hero Award. The Sea Tow Foundation Hero Award celebrates exceptional dedication to fostering boating safety and is presented to a deserving Sea Tow franchise each year at their International annual meeting.

More North American marine industry news at www.marinebusinessworld.com/NorthAmerica from the largest boating news network, updated daily.

Keep afloat!
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com

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