Marlow Yachts Approved to Acquire Hunter Marine, Construction to Remain in USA
In a letter to the dealers on July 10th, John T. Peterson, President or Hunter Marine Corporation announced that Marlow Acquisitions has been approved to acquire Hunter Marine corporation. The letter, sent on July 10, 2012, stated that the US District Court has approved the sale of the operating assets of Hunter Marine Corporation; and selected assets of Mainship Corporation and Luhrs Corporation to Marlow Acquisitions, LLC.
Marlow Acquisitions is affiliated with other Marlow companies worldwide operating across a broad spectrum of Marine and related industries in a vertically integrated manufacturing and distribution environment.
Marlow Yachts are the builders of the Marlow Explorer, Marlow Voyager and Marlow Prowler line of yachts. These yachts are produced using technologies many generations beyond common industry standards in a Marlow built and owned environmentally green facility with approximately 250,000 square feet of purpose built production halls and supporting assets that include approximately 300 highly skilled artists and technicians. These botanical park like facilities have twice been awarded status as the only fully green and environmentally sensitive yacht manufacturing facilities on earth. Marlow Yachts performance products and methods of operation have received numerous industry and independent awards for proprietary, innovative and higher technology processes while being considered one of the highest quality yacht producers on earth.
John Peterson stated that he has "…spent numerous hours with Mr. David Marlow, principal owner of the purchasing entity. I can assure you that he is elated with the opportunity afforded himself as the highest and best bidder."
With reference to the fact that Hunter Marine is reaching its 40th Anniversary, Peterson closed saying "We anticipate a quick closing within the month of July and further communication will be forthcoming. Indeed; “Life does begin at 40!”
Then, on July 13, i response to questions from the dealers and questions they raised about the possibility that Marlow would move manufacturing to China after its sale to Marlow Acquisitions LLC, president John Peterson and new owner David Marlow have spoken out.
In the US marine trade media, Peterson said, “As part of the [asset purchase agreement] a lease for the facility in Alachua [Fla.] was signed between Marlow and Bank of America.”
There are no plans to build boats in China, but rather to take technology Marlow developed there and bring it back to the United States, Marlow said, also responding online to posted comments.