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6420 Sycamore Lane, Suite 100 Maple Grove, MN 55369 www.boating-industry.com |  |
: Matt Gruhn, Editor-in-Chief, Boating Industry magazine, 763-383-4448
MINNEAPOLIS – With many marine businesses struggling under the pressure of today’s economic reality, the boating industry’s future depends now more than ever on consumers’ ability to find dependable dealers capable of exceeding their sales and service expectations for years to come. These consumers now have a trusted source they can turn to, thanks to Boating Industry magazine's fourth-annual Top 100 Dealers.
This marine dealer ranking has resulted in an incredibly powerful group that collectively generates more than $1.8 billion in annual retail sales. While the U.S. boat industry has recently experienced a decline in unit sales, this group has been thriving, delivering an average year-over-year revenue growth of almost 6 percent.
The Top 100 ranking recognizes those marine dealers that are unsurpassed in overall business operations, customer service, marketing and professionalism. Collectively, the 2008 Boating Industry Top 100 employ nearly 4,800 people and operate 278 retail locations across North America.
“While most industry awards are given to those dealers that sell the most boats, our Top 100 program is much more qualitatively focused,” said Matt Gruhn, Editor-In-Chief of Boating Industry, “thereby leveling the playing field for all dealers and directing consumers to those dealers that can best deliver on the dream that boat ownership promises.”
Harborside Marina & Yacht Sales, based in Clinton, Conn., ranked 56th in its third year on this elite list, which recognizes the best-of-the-best of the more than 5,000 marine dealers in North America.
“Our editorial staff was extremely impressed with Harborside’s boat show strategy,” said Gruhn. “Of particular note, this dealership brings certain staff members to the show who specialize in a particular product and whose role is to answer customers’ questions, rather than sell product. If a customer is interested in purchasing, they are turned over to a salesperson.”
Boating Industry's editorial staff reviewed almost 350 applications, culled from more than 3,000 nominations. The applications asked both quantitative and qualitative questions regarding all aspects of marine dealer operations.
“The Boating Industry Top 100 has, in short order, become the most coveted award in the marine market,” explained Tammy Galvin, Vice President of Affinity Boating Media. “Marine dealers are on the front line with consumers every day, and this is one way we can help provide much-needed benchmarking information for all other dealers to measure themselves against.”
To help bring the Boating Industry Top 100 to life, Affinity Boating Media, the magazine's parent company, created the Leadership Alliance, an elite group of the marine industry's leading suppliers. These companies were invited to participate because they possess, as one of their corporate values, a true belief in and commitment to raising the bar of professionalism across all marine industry sectors, and particularly for dealers.
The 2008 Leadership Alliance members include: BRP US Inc. /Evinrude, GE Capital Solutions, Boat Trader, Volvo Penta, ADP Lightspeed, Honda Marine, Channel Blade, Manheim Specialty and the Marine Retailers Association of America.
To see the complete ranking of the Top 100 dealers, visit www.Boating-Industry.com.