Page 31: of Marine News Magazine (May 2013)

Þ rm orders and a steady workload through the Þ rst half of 2014. We have the ability to increase capacity as needed in a new manufacturing facility that weÕll move into by late May.Ó He adds, ÒThis will be the Þ rst time in our com- panyÕs history that all production will be under one roof.Ó North River will, Blocker said, continue to leverage the Þ rmÕs growing market share, while also pursuing other venues of potential business. ÒWeÕve been working on sev- eral market areas that we feel will pay dividends for us in the future.Ó METAL SHARK: DELIVERING HERE, AND ABROAD Like others in this unique business, Metal Shark works to diversify its customer base while leveraging its consid- erable backlog. Greg Lambrecht, vice president of Metal Shark Boats, said Òwe specialize in patrol and combat vessels and deliver throughout the United States and the world. WeÕre delivering a variety of vessels to the U.S. mainland, Virgin Islands, Hawaii and Guam for the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force, as well as states and local municipalities. These vessels are also being provided to multiple countries in the following regions--PACOM, EUCOM, CENTCOM, SOUTHCOM and AFRI- COM. A majority of our vessels have optional propulsion packages--ranging from gasoline outboard, diesel shaft drive, diesel outdrive or diesel jet.Ó ÒOur foreign contracts are a mixture of direct country sales and FMS through the U.S. government,Ó Lambrecht said. ÒWe currently maintain a healthy backlog, domesti- cally and internationally. While we havenÕt seen a decrease in sales, out years may be affected if U.S. sequester and future budget forecasts remain unchanged. We have increased our international efforts and sales force to mitigate these risks.Ó North River Boats delivered the Þ rst eight of nine, 36Õ U.S. Navy Force Protection Large Harbor Security Patrol Boats. www.marinelink.com MN May2013 Layout 18-31.indd 31MN May2013 Layout 18-31.indd 315/3/2013 12:54:46 PM5/3/2013 12:54:46 PM