Cruisers Buys Carver Facility

[DanM]

Cruisers Yachts parent company KCS International said it has bought the former Carver and Marquis yacht facility, a 216,000 square-foot, purpose-built manufacturing space that will allow the company to significantly expand production.

The Pulaski, Wis. facility is about 30 miles from KCS headquarters in Oconto, located in an area with a seasoned boatbuilding workforce — the company said that they anticipate hiring about 150 crew at the Pulaski facility and adding 75 people in Oconto.

“The opportunity to acquire this world-class facility will allow us to meet customer demands and expand our very aggressive new product development schedule,” KCS president Mark Pedersen said in a statement. “With the recent addition of MarineMax as a new dealer in select markets, we needed this facility to increase our production.”

KCS did not specify what models would be shifted to its new facility; the 68-year-old builder produces 16 models from 33 to 60 feet.

[Viper]

So they bought Carver Marquis Yachts? All it does is mention the facility and employees. What of the Carver and Marquis boats? Are they going to continue with the brand?

[km1125]

QR_BBPOST So they bought Carver Marquis Yachts? All it does is mention the facility and employees. What of the Carver and Marquis boats? Are they going to continue with the brand?

It doesn't sound like they bought Carver/Marquis, just the facility. That would explain the termination notice. It looks like they'll be hiring a lot (most? all?) of the former Carver folks that used to work at that same facility.

Really makes you wonder what's going to happen to all the "old" Carver stuff, models and designs.

[Phrancus]

Real people at the helm would create an archive and put some effort in it to serve the community of Carver owners and enthusiasts.

These days the accountants decide so only new customers are welcomed with a hyped up facade of good looks of quality and image. Once sold, quality lasts the legal warranty time and service gets hollowed out by procedures and requirements.

I feel sad for the employees. The usual nicely termed but nevertheless harsh re-applying for the same job will take place and thus most hard working folk loose. The cheaper remain with a few knowledgables who burn off trying to bridge the experience gap for the young.

Sorry to sound so negative, it's like companies like BMW where the fanbase is being dimished by shutting down as many information sites (forums, repair information and such) with legal procedures in hand. As if an owner of an older model who keeps it rolling is ever going to buy a brand new one from the factory. While he is referred to by the people who do buy new cars because they keep the image high that emerged during the times that the big companies were in competition to build the best they could. Rather than just enough to get it sold and through warranty.

The customer base; people with money and time plus a link to boating changes. Upper middle class is it called? Not enough of them to keep a complete company running. So it's a few very big ones, producing under a bunch of brands with different images but common solutions. And market driven, so more and more of the same. Less middle class, more small stuff and very high class.

Sometimes something new starts but needs to grow very fast and big so in no time they either shift to the very top (the very few) or slide down to the common small stuff.

So, after all the gloom and doom here's a positive note: Season starts here! So our 30 year old Carver is being polished and shines like years ago!

[Viper]

I worked for a Cruisers dealership years ago so I PDIed a lot of new boats from factory. Nice boats but man I can tell you some stories. Hope their production methods have changed over the years.

Would still like to know if Carver has changed hands or just sold their facility and moving elsewhere.

[Phrancus]

See the other thread for insight into the buyerin a posting from Cooler which is quite hopeful.

I have no knowledge of their worldwide operations, I've seen exactly two Carvers in my area and one of them is mine.

Would be nice to have some link to the factory, old and new ones. And not just the usual high-end new boats through brokers link but a real connection without the sales BS but with a common approach to owners.

[Cooler]

Good point about new company ownership needing to profit fast and grow fast. Very typical in situations like these. BUT, there is no such requirement in this situation. The employees will all be retained, there will be some new opportunities. Works out great for the staff. KC makes sure that his company is a "great place to work". er

[RGrew176]

The big question is will there be Carver boats in the future or is this the end of the line for Carver.