http://www.ibi-plus.com International Boat Industry | JUNE–JULY 2018 9
International Marine News HEADLINES
Southeast Marine Forum
established in Brazil
BRAZIL A new partnership
has formed in Brazil between
four states, the government
and various private sector
companies to ensure the
continued growth of leisure
boat production in São Paulo,
Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais
and Espírito Santos.
The Southeast Marine
Forum (Fórum Náutico
Sudeste) will provide a set of
key actions, in partnership
with the private sector, to
improve the marine market
and raise the region’s
traditions, stimulating the
production of boats and
creating more income and
employment in the field. It will
follow in the footsteps of the
Fórum Náutico Paulista (SãoPaulo). Among the demands
presented by the forum
are changes in regulatory
frameworks to improve the
construction of public marinas
and ramps, and a reduction or
equal distribution of taxes in
the four states.
According to Marco
Antonio Castelo Branco,
president of the Fórum
Náutico Sudeste, government
policy is based on providing
jobs and increasing incomes,
and the boat industry is in
line with this strategy. “We
believe that the Sudeste
region of Brazil is preparing to
strengthen the supply chain,”
he says. “Our marine industry
is the most traditional of Brazil
and we will need qualified
workers to fill these positions.”
Eduardo Colunna, president
of Brazilian boatbuilders’
association ACOBAR, says the
Fórum Náutico Sudeste is a
pilot scheme that will lead by
example for other forums yet
to be created.USA Polaris Industries plans
to acquire Boat Holdings,
owner of the Bennington,
Godfrey, Hurricane and Rinker
brands, for around US$805m
in cash. Polaris says it expects
about US$100m in net tax
benefits. The transaction is
valued at around US$705m.
Boat Holdings is the largest
manufacturer of pontoon
boats in the US. The combined
brands have over 200 base
models of pontoon boats,
bowriders and cruisers.
Boat Holdings generated
US$560m in sales last year.
“In addition to market shareleadership, Boat Holdings
expands Polaris’ footprint
in the recreational outdoors
market, commanding more
of consumers’ discretionary
spending,” says Scott Wine,
Polaris chairman and CEO.
“Our product lineup will offer
options to be enjoyed on the
roads, trails, sand, dirt, snow
and water.”
Minnesota-based Polaris
was once a main brand in the
personal watercraft sector,
but exited the market in 2004.
Today the company is best-
known for its snowmobiles
and ATVs.SEAVEE CONSOLIDATES
USA SeaVee Boats to begin
building a 220,000t^2 facility that will
consolidate its five sites in Miami,
Florida into one.- IBI-plus.com June 13
BLUE WATER SOLD
USA T-H Marine acquires assets
of Blue Water LED Enterprises, a
leading producer of atermarket LED
light kits for bass boats.
IBI-plus.com May 24LAND ‘N’ SEA MERGER
USA Land ’N’ Sea Distributing Inc
merges its national marine and RV
dealer shows into a single event.- IBI-plus.com May 25
CAPE DORY REVIVAL
USA Madison Bay Holdings Inc to
revive Cape Dory brand name with
new series of powerboats from 22t-
36t and catamarans from 42t-75t.- IBI-plus.com June 14
SUNTEX EXPANDS
USA Suntex Marina Investors opens
new Suntex Boat Club location at
CrossTimbers Marina, just north of
Tulsa, Oklahoma.- IBI-plus.com May 22
MALIBU FINANCIALS
USA Malibu Boats reports Q3 sales
of US$140.4m, up 82% compared to
the same period last year.- IBI-plus.com May 2
STUART YACHT BASIN
USA Grand Banks Yachts acquires
Stuart Yard in Stuart, Florida,
renaming it Stuart Yacht Basin. It will
serve as the company’s US HQ.- IBI-plus.com May 10
SFórum Náutico SudestePolaris to buy Boat Holdings
SFlorida’s Stuart YardDesigner and manufacturer
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