Feb 26, 2019

Desmasdon’s Boat Works has won 4th place in the MRAA “Great Dealerships To Work For” program. Established in 1946 in Pointe au Baril on Georgian Bay, Ontario, Desmasdon’s Boat Works is located in the heart of the 30,000 Islands — a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and the world’s largest freshwater archipelago. The area is known for its intoxicating beauty, sandy beaches, sheltered harbors and some of the world’s best boating.

Desmasdon’s Boat Works was founded by Albert Desmasdon and purchased by Andy and Tonia Blenkarn in 1998. Today, it is co-owned by the Blenkarns and Matt and Nicole French. Both couples live on Georgian Bay and share a passion for the area and the people who live there. In fact, the town of Pointe au Baril has a population of only 276 people, and Desmasdon’s Boat Works employs 55 of them.

“Our team members are what make us great,” says Matt French. “We do not think it is a coincidence that we win awards for both [employee satisfaction and customer service] — happy employees make happy customers, not the other way around.”

Desmasdon’s ownership team treats its team members less like employees and more like kin, cosigning loans, assisting with financial planning, and even financing the construction of a new home for one team member.

“Our team is our lifeblood, and we treat each and every one of them like family,” notes French.

The dealership also invests in both training and a strong benefits package. Its core group is trained in several departments so can they can assist when needed and also get a feel for the position that is right for them. And each employee is offered the option of a year-round benefits package that includes prescription, dental and medical. In addition, cash incentives — including generous holiday bonuses — are distributed throughout the year, and staff lunches are held monthly.

“We have a great team culture,” French explains. “Each and every person is integral. They know it, and we know it, and we celebrate it. We love making people feel special, and they love doing a good job as a result.

“We believe that winning an award like this isn’t science. It boils down to wanting to come to work every day and enjoying it. As owners, if we want to come to work every day, so does the team. We set the tone and try to make every day better than the day before.”

Desmasdon’s Boat Works scores:
Customer Relations: 4.80
Dealership Reputation: 4.91
Employee Satisfaction: 4.74
Leadership: 4.76
Management: 4.63
Cumulative: 4.73