Page 28: of Marine News Magazine (April 2016)

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BOATBUILDING

Surviving – and Thriving – in a Challenging

Boatbuilding Market

North River Boats’ formula for success: anchored in a diverse portfolio and customer base.

By Joseph Keefe ucked away in Roseburg, Oregon, North River Today, North River Boats employs 127, up from about 75

Boats began simply enough in 1974 by building jet people when CEO and President Brent Hutchings took powered boats to run shallow, technical white water over the company in August 2012. Enjoying steady annual

T rivers. Over time, the company also developed a solid rep- growth – in good times and bad – a diverse portfolio of utation for jet boat designs. Later, as sport ? shing regula- output and clients has kept this west coast builder on even tions, seasons, and species evolved, North River expanded keel, even as others falter in a slowing marine economy. to build deep vee outboard powered recreational boats to How that came about is equally important.

? sh larger rivers, estuaries and the ocean. The ? rm is also known for another reason: its diversi? ed production of Looking Back: Laying the Keel for Tomorrow hulls, delivered to an equally wide range of clients, both North River’s 2002 purchase of Almar Boats in 2002 domestic and foreign. was a key move for the ? rm. Mike Blocher, North Boats’

Situated on 9.5 acres with two large detached manufac- Director of Sales and Marketing explains, “Almar Boats turing facilities, the boat builder boasts a full array of of? c- was established about the same time as North River, but es, large boat fabrication, paint preparation and coatings, Almar focused on commercial and government boats. This canvas, upholstery, out? tting and warehouse operations. is something that North River had done on a small scale,

April 2016

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