Page 54: of Marine News Magazine (August 2015)

53 55

M N 100

U.S. Boatbuilders:U.S. Boatbuilders:

Conrad Industries Eastern Shipbuilding boatbuilders that previously only ca- tered to local needs just a half century ago now have expanded to serve the

U.S. military, federal and state agencies, the oil and gas industry and foreign governments. As new vessel orders grew along- side diversi? ed portfolio offerings, their annual revenues also swelled. That could describe a dozen different North Morgan City-based ? rm with a staff of 1,100 employees,

American yards, but this month, we caught up with four designs, builds and repairs tugboats, ferries, liftboats, barg-

MN100 honorees; Conrad Industries, Vigor Industrial, es and offshore supply vessels for commercial and govern-

Eastern Shipbuilding and Willard Marine to how they got ment clients. With $309 million in annual sales, it also from point A to point B. Construction and repair services makes steel and aluminum products and does conversions.

are fully booked now at these companies – but how they “Our biggest strength is our solid, 68-year reputation make that work for their customers is the real story. for delivering quality vessels on time and budget,” Conrad general manager Robert Sampey said last month. “When

Conrad Industries: we agree to build a vessel, we make a good estimate up

Newbuild, Repair Porfolio Continues to Grow front and don’t forget things. That helps our clients, who

Established in 1948, Conrad Industries, Inc. operates have contracts specifying day rates for completed boats. ? ve shipyards in Louisiana and Texas, with direct access We don’t want our customers losing revenue because a to the Gulf of Mexico. Led by CEO Johnny Conrad, the boat was delivered late.”

August 2015

MN 54