Bennington Marine out of the fiberglass boats business

[NCLakeboater]

They sold Southwind to Seminole Marine and the Azure boats website now has links to Sea Fox and Mariah. Bennington has a new private equity investor which probably wanted Bennington Marine focusing on pontoons only.

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: Bennington Marine out of the fiberglass boats business

That's unfortunate, especially being part of SeaFox and Mariah.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Bennington Marine out of the fiberglass boats business

It is true, Benington was sold earlier this year but only a minority share was bought buy the equity firm out of California, the majority is owned by our Ceo,President and the decision was made to focus on what made us what we are and that is pontoons.

We were previously owned by an investment firm out of Boston btu even with the sales nothing at ground level has changed at all exept our focus is back on pontoons so watch for some interesting things there.

The Glass side was started at a very bad time early in the down turn so they never really got a chance to take off and the glass boat market is pretty saturated any ways.

It was a very good move for Bennington, we are currently working 6 days a week with no end in site and have a huge back order, Last year at this time we working 3 days a week 6 or 7 hours a day so it is quite a change.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Bennington Marine out of the fiberglass boats business

That's unfortunate, especially being part of SeaFox and Mariah.

Now sea fox can ruin another premium brand....

 

[NCLakeboater]

Re: Bennington Marine out of the fiberglass boats business

Now sea fox can ruin another premium brand....

Why's that?

 

[180shabah]

Re: Bennington Marine out of the fiberglass boats business

When sea fox purchased mariah, the fit and finish took a HUGE step backwards. mariah is now an entry level brand competing with bayliner and stingray. I expect they'll take the same cost cutting strategies and apply them to azzure.

 

[NCLakeboater]

Re: Bennington Marine out of the fiberglass boats business

When sea fox purchased mariah, the fit and finish took a HUGE step backwards. mariah is now an entry level brand competing with bayliner and stingray. I expect they'll take the same cost cutting strategies and apply them to azzure.

Thanks I didn't realize that. Since the Azure name never really established itself, perhaps they are just buying the molds and will market the boats as Mariahs.

 

[Stlouisboating]

Re: Bennington Marine out of the fiberglass boats business

Commander, I guess this is good for all the Bennington employees, but for the Azure boat owners it sure sounds like Bennington wasn't too concerned about the customers!!
From what my dealer told me the quality will definately go down in the Azure boat line with the new owner. So what does the customer who trusted Bennington Marine and Azure boats do???