July 23, 2018

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and staff from U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s office visited Correct Craft separately last week, toured the Nautique boat plant, and learned about issues impacting the marine industry.

Correct Craft was privileged to first welcome Senator Nelson and discuss how the new tariffs and trade war are impacting the marine industry. Correct Craft’s President and CEO Bill Yeargin and Senator Nelson discussed how the new tariffs and trade war are impacting the marine industry. Yeargin shared with Senator Nelson how proud the Correct Craft team of nearly 1,300 employees are to build products in the U.S. that are desired around the world. Yeargin also commented that Correct Craft’s companies are significant net exporters and that U.S. tariffs, combined with retaliatory tariffs from trading partners, could significantly hurt Correct Craft and other significant exporters within the marine industry, putting U.S. jobs at risk.

Senator Nelson stated, “Correct Craft is in one of Florida’s biggest industries, boat building, and I appreciate their CEO, Bill Yeargin, for bringing to my attention the impact of the current trade war on both their company and industry.” Nelson added, “I am very proud of Correct Craft; Florida is an oasis of fishing and watersports.”

Later in the day, Correct Craft hosted staff from the office of Senator Rubio. Senator Rubio’s staff were also briefed by Yeargin and Correct Craft’s CFO Angela Pilkington on how the new U.S. tariffs have made it more difficult to sell boats not only by increasing costs, but also with retaliatory tariffs by our trading partners; potentially putting U.S. jobs at risk. Senator Rubio’s staff concluded their visit with a walkthrough of the Nautique boat plant.

Yeargin stated, “We were honored today to have both U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and staff from U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s office visit Correct Craft to learn more about marine industry issues. The marine industry is facing some significant challenges with the current trade war and our team appreciates the offices of our U.S. Senators being willing to listen to our concerns.”

Yeargin added, “I also want to share my appreciation for Nicole Vasilaros, Senior Vice President of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) for flying down from Washington to join me in these meetings. Nicole is a friend and colleague who is doing a wonderful job representing Correct Craft and many other companies on issues that are facing our industry.”

About Correct Craft: Celebrating 93 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is a Florida-based company with global operations. The Correct Craft family includes Nautique, Centurion, Supreme, Bass Cat, Yar-Craft, SeaArk, and Bryant boat companies, Pleasurecraft Marine Engine Group, and Aktion Parks. For more information please visit www.correctcraft.com.