Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/601416
14 | Boating Industry | December 2015 [ 2015 Top 100 ] www.BoatingIndustry.com TOP BOAT BRANDS (By # of Top 100 Dealers that carry) 1. COBALT/NAUTIQUE (TIE) 3. SEA RAY 4. BENNINGTON/MASTERCRAFT/REGAL (TIE) 7. BAYLINER 8. HARRIS FLOTEBOTE 9. BOSTON WHALER 10. CHAPARRAL TOP ENGINE BRANDS (By # of Top 100 Dealers that carry) 1. MERCURY MERCRUISER 2. MERCURY OUTBOARD 3. YAMAHA 4. VOLVO PENTA 5. INDMAR 6. PCM 7. EVINRUDE/MINN KOTA (TIE) 9. HONDA/BRP ROTAX (TIE) effort has been made to reduce the amount of space a technician has to cover to gather information and supplies before going to the boat they have next in line. … There is always at least one boat staged and available to be worked on at all times for each technician." To that end, the service orders are now positioned just a few feet away from the service admin whom logs in and logs out each technician and parts, oils and lubes are all kept within easy reach. "Once the technician is on their boat/job, every effort is made by the service admin, the parts people and the service manager to keep them hands on," Brown said. "The goal is for the technician to not have to leave their work area until all services are completed." Similar systems were put in place at the company's Monmouth facility. Even with a smaller staff, Clark was able to service the same number of boats there as in 2014. "Going into mid-September because of the horrible summer weather we experienced we were tracking 600 billed hours behind our 2013 same time results," Brown said. "Through improved effi ciency we were able to take on more over-the-counter services and by the end of November we had made up the lag. Most of the pickup of hours was accomplished at the Manchester facility via over-the-counter services increasing our cash fl ow." Buyers Assurance Program New boat buyers are often concerned about the cost of maintaining their new vessels. To address that concern, Deep Creek Marina, McHenry, Md., offers all of its buyers its Buyers Assurance Program. The program includes a 10-year engine warranty on new items and fi ve-year engine warranty on all demo boats or rental boats as long as the boat is serviced and stored with Deep Creek Marina. Other benefi ts include a free loaner program if the boat won't be ready for the weekend, free pick up and delivery during the fi rst year for any warranty or service items, discounts on accessories and more. With Deep Creek's Trade Up Guarantee for the fi rst 30 days, if the customer found out that they purchased the wrong boat they can trade it in and get the same value they paid on another boat in the Deep Creek Marina inventory. The buyers also gets to be a member of the Marina Club. 23,117 Boats sold by the Top 100 in 2014, up 17% 4,932 Engines sold by the Top 100 in 2014, up 19% Clark Marine's use of Lean principles has made service more effi cient.