Expansions, acquisitions and collaborations featured - MarineBusinessWorld North America newsletter
by Peter Rendle 14 Feb 13:00 PST
Smartgyro expands global reach with new dealers appointed by U.S. distributors Mack Boring and YANMAR Mastry © Smartgyro
Smartgyro, a leading gyro stabilization technology company, is expanding its global footprint with new dealers being appointed by two of its major U.S. distributors, Mack Boring & Parts Co. and YANMAR Mastry Engine Center. The new dealers will support the distributors in enhancing service levels for Smartgyro customers in the region.
The newly appointed dealers, selected for their expertise and dedication to customer satisfaction, will play a pivotal role in providing localized support, installation services, and maintenance assistance. This approach will help to strengthen customer service and make Smartgyro's innovative stabilization solutions, aftercare services and ongoing maintenance of the units, more readily available to a wider customer base.
IMTRA, the leading manufacturer and importer of quality solutions and products for the marine, energy and transportation markets, announced today expanded control options with the introduction of the all-new Zipwake Mini Controller and availability of the Zipwake Dynamic Trim Control Solution with new boatbuilding partners.
For the last decade, Zipwake has enhanced the boating experience throughout North America, delivering a more comfortable ride, better performance and improved fuel consumption to an extensive range of vessels in all sea conditions. Offering unmatched control of running trim, heel or heading, the Zipwake system incorporates patented, durable fast-acting interceptors that provide efficient lift. The new Mini Controller acts as an "eyes free" remote for the system, giving boaters total control for optimal trim in any conditions.
Poly-Planar LLC, one of the longest operating outdoor entertainment brands, announced today its acquisition of Banshee Marine Audio, a boat builder-focused audio company. Leveraging Poly-Planar's experience as a household name with a history of almost 60 years in the pool, spa and outdoor equipment, Banshee's founder Dan Soeters will take over as President for the combined companies.
His focus for the future of the new company will be to strengthen and improve innovative product development, with the goal of becoming an even stronger leader in the pool, spa and outdoor audio design space. Soeters also plans to renew emphasis on consumer and B-to-B consumer engagement to drive growth for the combined companies. Todd Allen, previously President of Poly-Planar, will continue to consult for the company as a Product Development Specialist.
Boateka, a business of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) specialized in direct-to-consumer pre-owned boats sales through its digital platform and dealership model, today announced its newest location just outside of Atlanta, a top ten metropolitan market in the United States. The former West Georgia Boat Center will now be home to Boateka's newest location to accelerate pre-owned sales across the Southeast and nationwide through flat fee shipping options.
"West Georgia Boat Center presented a strategic opportunity for us expand the Boateka brand and create a pathway to better serve a key boating market through our customer-focused platform," said Brenna Preisser, President, Business Acceleration, Brunswick Corporation. "With an established and talented team in the market, we are confident that Boateka will address a marketplace need, offering certified pre-owned boats with a warranty."
Brunswick Corporation has also announced a new partnership with Apex.AI, a leader in embedded software technology and middleware solutions. The collaboration will integrate the company's Apex.Grace and Apex.Ida safety-certified products with Brunswick's continued advancements in its autonomous solutions ecosystem as part of its ACES (Autonomy, Connectivity, Electrification, Shared Access) strategy.
The software from Apex.AI will support the seamless integration of these systems in vessels equipped with autonomous technology and improving the boating experience across a range of applications. Apex.AI's software bundle Apex.OS includes Apex.Grace—the safety-certified software development kit for mobility, smart machines, and IoT; and Apex.Ida—safe and secure high-performance data transport.
Tohatsu Corporation, the oldest Japanese outboard engine manufacturer with a legacy spanning more than a century, is proud to announce an innovative collaboration with Ilmor Marine, a renowned name in marine engine manufacturing and high-performance engineering solutions. This strategic collaboration marks a historic partnership between two industry leaders, combining the rich heritage of Tohatsu's expertise in marine outboard propulsion and Ilmor's cutting-edge engineering prowess.
Dockmate®, manufacturer of advanced wireless remote-control systems for yachts, announced this week it has hired Jason Trombly as Product Specialist and Inside Sales Representative. In his new role, Trombly is tasked with inside sales across the United States and growing and supporting Dockmate's existing dealer network and manufacturers' representatives.
"I'm very excited to be joining the Dockmate team," said Trombly. "With their innovative products and enthusiastic team, I can see a great future here and I'm delighted to be a part of it. I'm also eager to step into the marine industry and fulfill some lifelong passions of mine."
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and RAI Amsterdam, co-owners of the International BoatBuilders' Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), announced this week the promotion of Anne Dunbar from Show Director to Executive Director of IBEX LLC. Having successfully steered IBEX for more than a decade, Dunbar has played a pivotal role in making it the largest marine trade show in North America, with over 700 exhibitors and attracting more than 5,000 marine professionals annually.
IBEX has earned recognition as one of "The Fastest 50" growing trade shows in the United States, according to Trade Show Executive magazine, and has consistently ranked among the top 200 largest trade shows in North America by Trade Show News Network since 2012.
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Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@worldmarine.media