Rec Boat Holdings Hosts First-Ever Meeting For Four Winns, Glastron and Wellcraft
On August 14th, Rec Boat Holdings presented their 2013 boat models to an audience of more than 200 dealers during their first-ever all brand dealer meeting, held at The Abbey Resort on Lake Geneva in Fontana, Wisconsin. Dealers, representing 25 countries, were captivated by the impactful and exciting news delivered by company president, Roch Lambert, which included additional new models and support programs designed to drive dealer traffic. The company has labeled this event "Re-Think" which centers on the rethinking of every aspect of the business and how it will benefit their dealers moving forward.
The Rec Boat Holdings brands – Four Winns, Glastron and Wellcraft – have invested heavily in new product development, which remains unmatched in the marine industry today. Along with new product designs, the company announced increased efforts to develop high-performing dealer networks, built on a foundation of solid manufacturer support.
“We've focused our efforts over the past two years on wisely utilizing our investment in new product development and optimizing our manufacturing operations," stated Roch Lambert, Group President, Rec Boat Holdings. “It is now time to focus on our distribution and ensure we reach our customers through high achieving dealers. This meeting is designed to communicate how we are rethinking our business model to deliver on this result," Lambert concluded.
A more than $8 million dollar investment in Engineering and Design has culminated in a completely new Horizon line up for Four Winns, and an all-new GT series line up for Glastron; the Wellcraft brand has just kicked off efforts of redesign with new interiors presented on the 232 Fisherman and more to follow in the coming year. Rec Boat Holdings has maintained the most aggressive approach to new product.
Lambert announced to dealers, "We're not finished with our new product development. Our foundation is in place and we will continue to supplement our lines with additional product innovations moving forward." Additional future models, scheduled to come in time for the 2013 boat show season, were presented by company vice-president of Engineering and Design, Christophe Lavigne.
Four Winns introduced the new RS model, a boat with head-turning looks and the high-performing signature Stable-Vee hull design. The RS will be offered on the Horizon 180 and 190 for 2013. The titillating style of this new model clearly illustrates the new way of thinking for the company when it comes to design. This, on the heels of their recent launch of the all-new Horizon 180 series, complements the line with an edgy, exciting look for consumers seeking the inner youth inside.
In addition to the RS, Four Winns shared with dealers the next evolution in the Horizon line up introducing the Horizon 190. A complete redesign of the former model, the 2013 model is all-new from bow to stern, marrying sport runabout with luxury performer. From the low-profile swim platform, boaters rest easy on the full aft sunpad which converts to convenient swim platform lounge seating. The spaciousness in the cockpit of this 19-footer is amazing. Plenty of storage, Silvertex vinyl seating and a fully equipped helm station provide plenty of comfort for the day.
After analysis of the closed bow, high horsepower market, the GTS 205 closed bow model for Glastron made its debut as the fast, effective tool to capture this opportunity for dealers. The 20-foot roadster inspired boat full is full of features, plenty of room and a graphics package that delivers a hint of the iconic James Bond era of Glastron. The GTS 205 answers the desire to go fast in a sporty, closed-bow performance machine. This latest model from Glastron follows the recently launched GT 180 and 185 models and earlier launches of the GT 200 and 205.
Wellcraft remains a premiere recreational fishing vessel with models ranging in size from 18-feet up to 34-feet, including the legendary Scarab line of offshore machines. The recent business focus has been concentrated on building a solid network of dealers, with the company signing more than a dozen new retailers leading into the meeting.
"Our efforts for Wellcraft are now shifting to new product investment," declared Lambert. "We have redesigned the interiors of our mid-range fishing lines to bring them ahead of competition in terms of comfort, functionality and overall appeal," he stated. "Our plan is to expand the effort across the line in the coming year," Lambert concluded.
The 232 Fisherman debuted with a new, solid high-end interior with powder coated aluminum rails and deluxe foam cushion seating and padding for maximum comfort. Plans will be shared with dealers on additional enhancements and redesign efforts across the line up.
The 2013 Four Winns, Glastron and Wellcraft lines will be displayed at upcoming boat shows around the world, beginning this fall. To learn more, please visit:
www.fourwinns.com
www.glastron.com
www.wellcraft.com
Photo: Roch Lambert and Julie Johnson at the August 14 dealer meeting.
