Marlow-Hunter

[Crazy Dave Condon]

This morning I received an email advising Marlow-Hunter closed it doors effective 6/30/17. I will follow up and advise what is going on as I will try to confirm this very sad news to all of us and the Industry.
Crazy Dave Condon

 

[Jackdaw]

Holy crap.

 

[tgrady]

I can't find 'nutting. Has anybody called?

 

[Boomer54]

Boomer54
Yes, please verify for us. Rumor have persistently popped up over the the past several years as we well know. Given your past and history with them though, this one has me concerned.

 

[Captmayhem]

well that's not good if true! odd that there is no reports anywhere though.

 

[cb32863]

Website appears normal. Though, Dave got the news and is well connected with them.....

 

[Jackdaw]

I know one of their current (big) dealers in Michigan. Just called him. He said he knows that they have shut down production. They did not tell him for how long. He didn't know if have in fact gone away for good. But production is shut down.

 

[pateco]

WOW

 

[Velero49]

They could be closed for summer recess. Lots of companies in FL close for a couple of weeks around 4th of July.

 

[kloudie1]

Not good news. Not entirely unexpected because of the extreme focus on bottom line by new owners.. that coupled with no passion for the boats, as Mr. Luhrs had, set up the demise. A shame that the company that I saw come into existence in 1973/'74 with the great little blister deck 25 ( at a very reasonable price) is going the way of so many builders.. I know about fiduciary responsibility to stockholders and things like that but wonder if they were not making money, or just not making enough money.. Kind of leaving the markets to Catalina and Beneteau/Jenneau.. maybe we'll see more of the boats from the old Russian territories and from East and Southeast places like India and Thailand?
EDIT: Dave ! MAN.. ya scared us!

 

[Roland5048]

Just called Marlow-Hunter, 386-462-3077, in Alachua, Fl. Everything seems to be OK. Tried to reach personnel, but got a voicemail that they were away from the desk and to leave a message. Might try later or if someone else does reach them please post.

 

[Jackdaw]

Just called Marlow-Hunter, 386-462-3077, in Alachua, Fl. Everything seems to be OK. Tried to reach personnel, but got a voicemail that they were away from the desk and to leave a message. Might try later or if someone else does reach them please post.

What seems OK about that? Nobody there?

Without production, or after-market part sales, every single other business activity at the facility could be loaded onto a similar person at one of Marlow's powerboat facilities.

Just like at Tattoo, if your not making boats you're not a boat making company, and you don't employ people who make boats.

 

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[Roland5048]

Just reached a guy named Bill in the rigging department at MH. He told me that MH is still open and producing boats.

 

[jon hansen]

bill the rigger is now answering the phone. call me crazy, not a good sign.

 

[Roland5048]

Actually it went like this. Message: "If you do not know your party's extension press zero." Pressed zero and Bill the Rigger answered. Told him I was trying to confirm or dispel a rumor about MH closing it's doors. See post #13. That's all I got. We know as much now as we did earlier.

 

[Jackdaw]

Actually it went like this. Message: "If you do not know your party's extension press zero." Pressed zero and Bill the Rigger answered. Told him I was trying to confirm or dispel a rumor about MH closing it's doors. See post #13. That's all I got. We know as much now as we did earlier.

I actually hope its good news.

I think the point was that normally when you press 0 at a company phone system, it routes from the switchboard to the front desk to sales to marketing to admin. Rare is the day when you turn it on so anyone can answer. And where is everyone if the rigger answers??

But the bigger point is that the president of Michigan's largest M/H dealer told me they halted production. He ought to know as well as anyone.

 

[Brett Leary]

WOW...... ever heard of FAKE news.... This is a good one!!!

I can assure Marlow-Hunter LLC is not closed. I'm the Director of Purchasing and have been employed for over 25 years. We have orders and we are building and shipping boats. Production has not stopped. Many people in the industry know me personally and know how to get in touch if they have concerns.

I'm sorry there has been an issue with the phone system. I was not aware of it until an owner called and asked about the posting. My phone has been working fine all day.

Have a good and safe weekend...... try to stay away from the FNN (FAKE NEWS NETWORK).

Brett Leary

 

[Phil Herring]

I can confirm this post is from Brett who is a senior manager at Marlow-Hunter. This now has to be considered a rumor and we're not into spreading damaging rumors. Therefore, I'm going to lock the thread.

 

[Jackdaw]

WOW...... ever heard of FAKE news.... This is a good one!!!

I can assure Marlow-Hunter LLC is not closed. I'm the Director of Purchasing and have been employed for over 25 years. We have orders and we are building and shipping boats. Production has not stopped. Many people in the industry know me personally and know how to get in touch if they have concerns.

I'm sorry there has been an issue with the phone system. I was not aware of it until an owner called and asked about the posting. My phone has been working fine all day.

Have a good and safe weekend...... try to stay away from the FNN (FAKE NEWS NETWORK).

Brett Leary

Awesome! #RealNews!