Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/556112
LAUNCH www.BoatingIndustry.com May 2015 | Boating Industry | 9 CHAPARRAL'S ANN BALDREE, REGULATOR'S JOAN MAXWELL AMONG STEP AHEAD AWARD WINNERS Two marine industry leaders were among those honored by the Manufac- turing Institute for excellence in manufacturing in March. Ann Baldree of Chaparral and Robalo, and Joan Maxwell of Regu- lator were two of the 130 women recognized with the Women in Manu- facturing Science, Technology, Engineering and Production (STEP) Ahead awards in March. "It's an incredible honor to represent women in management throughout the boating world," said Baldree. "I was honored to receive this award along with an- other STEP award recipient, Joan Maxwell, president of Regulator Boats and NMMA Board Chair- woman. In my 34-year career I've watched the role of women in boating continue to grow in a very progressive marine industry. HOT SPOTS Philadelphia, PA-Wilmington, DE-Trenton, NJ 5.1% New York, NY 6.5% Charlotte-Gastonia, NC -1.2% Seattle-Tacoma, WA 8.1% The sterndrive boats covered in this month's data are 23 feet or above. Fiberglass sterndrive boats show growth on East Coast Fiberglass sterndrive boats 23 feet and above have growth 7.71 percent over a 12-month rolling total ending in March 2015. The largest areas of growth are along the East Coast, with Manchester-Nashua-Concord, N.H., leading the way with 27.58 percent growth and Fort Myers, Fla., not far behind at 23.07 percent. Other regions that saw double-digit year- over-year growth for sterndrive boats are De- troit, with YOY growth of 19.29 percent, and Houston, with 16.66 percent growth in the 12 months ending in March 2015. All other regions saw single-digit growth YOY with the exception of Charlotte-Gastonia, N.C., where sales of sterndrive boats fell 1.23 percent over the past 12 months. Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL 6.8% CORRECT CRAFT ENTERS BASS AND WALLEYE FISHING MARKETS WITH TWO ACQUISITIONS Correct Craft announced it is entering the bass and wall- eye fishing markets with the acquisition of both Bass Cat and Yar-Craft. Bass Cat and Yar-Craft are both manufactured in Mountain Home, Ark. Correct Craft announced it has no plans to change either the location or management teams of the companies. Bass Cat's President (and member of its founding family) Rick Pierce stated, "After over four decades of being owned and operated by our family we are pleased to secure our heri- tage with Correct Craft. Dad and I have had a blast together and now we turn the page on history. The decision is one to extend what Dad and Mom (Ron & Jan Pierce) started with their legacy. By joining the Correct Craft family Bass Cat and Yar-Craft will live well beyond our lifetimes. I look forward to where we are going to carry the brands." Correct Craft's President and CEO Bill Yeargin stated, "Bass Cat and Yar-Craft are both outstanding brands with great reputations and exceptional teams. We could not be happier to have them joining the Correct Craft family." INDUSTRY NEWS JOAN MAXWELL & ANN BALDREE Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX 7.3% Fort Myers, FL 23.1% Detroit, MI 19.3% Mancheser-Nashua-Concord, NH 27.6% Houston, TX 16.7% PHOTO BY DAVID BOHRER