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Images courtesy: Vigor tion in the Paci? c Northwest and Alaska. In the Marine sec- high performance vessel market for defense and maritime tor, 45 percent of Vigor’s business is in ship repair and 40 security customers.

percent in shipbuilding. The company has not only grown When Kvichak became part of the Vigor family, it was its own expertise, but it has also merged with other compa- 35 years old. It is still run and managed by one of the origi- nies to create even more value to its customers. Vigor now nal the owners, Brian Thomas. Keith Whittemore and Jim boasts 12 locations and approximately 2,500 employees. Meckey have taken on broader roles within Vigor, lend-

In the past two years, Vigor merged with Kvichak Ma- ing their expertise throughout the various marine teams rine Industries and Oregon Iron Works (OIW). While within the company. “Kvichak is as good of an aluminum

Vigor proper began building barges, it now has a very workboat builder as anybody in the world and probably diverse North American market, providing ferries, ? sh anybody in the Americas,” says Whittemore, EVP of Busi- boats, hovercraft, aluminum pilot boats, patrol boats, and ness Development. OIW, now called Vigor Works, has oil skimmers to various customers. In addition, Vigor has been building boats in Clackamas, Oregon for 30 years. been expanding into overseas markets as well. And the “Where Kvichak is very high tech and has been building partnership with OIW has led to Vigor dominating the by standard practices, Vigor Works takes it to a whole new 47 www.marinelink.com MN

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