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company. Jones added that the boats are overbuilt structurally, with extra insulation and systems throughout designed to dampen mechanical vibration and noise, a testament to the fact that the company generally builds for the larger, more stable long-term players in the market, companies that generally build their boats with the intent of owning and operating them for a very long time. While Sneed is diverse in its offering, and counts about 70% of its business on newbuilds, 30% in the repair sector, Jones said that the company?s specialty is 2,000 and 3,000 hp towboats. Before Clyde and Mitch bought the business in 2009, the company as building one deck barge at a time, and in fact Mitch was a client for many years, having worked in the maintenance and operations division for Blessey for more than 14 years. It is this experience from the owner side of the equation that has helped to strengthen the Sneed operation further. While business has been strong and growing, Sneed and Jones continue to focus on ways in which to make their business ever more ef cient and cost effective. The chief challenge today is to  nd and maintain quali ed workers. ?You can  nd plenty of labor,? Sneed said, ?but it?s tougher to  nd true  tters and welders.? As a consequence, the company must invest in ensuring that materials for the boats it builds are manufactured and delivered in clearly marked pieces, and in fact Sneed said the company is looking into an investment in its own steel cutting and processing on the grounds of its Channelview yard. Today though all facilities are bustling with business, and Sneed said it will deliver a total of nine boats during 2012. Currently under construction are eight towboats in Channelview (two for Golding, two for Settoon and four for Kirby), and the liftboat. The New Iberia yard recently completed a LeBeouf Bros. Towing boat, and is currently building two towboats for Settoon. MN 53www.marinelink.com MNNov2012 Layout 50-65.indd 53MNNov2012 Layout 50-65.indd 5311/6/2012 4:20:56 PM11/6/2012 4:20:56 PM