The Hinckley Company has become the winner of the first-ever My-Villages Innovation Award. The prize was handed over by My-Villages, a leader in marine mobile technology, at the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association’s annual meeting.
The award, to be presented annually, will honor companies that demonstrate leadership in reinventing the way the marine industry cares for customers by helping boat owners better operate and maintain their vessels using new technologies. In Hinckley’s case, the company has been innovating since its start in 1928, introducing advances in sail handling, carbon fiber hull construction, joystick helm control and jet propulsion, among others. Today, they add to that list by using technology that creates fluid communication between yacht owner and supporting services.
“The My-Villages’ Innovation Award is meant to honor organizations that have demonstrated a passion for continuous improvement, and I can’t think of a better example than Hinckley,” said Kevin Hutchinson, founder and CEO of My-Villages. “It’s a bold move to change processes or adapt new technology, but the Hinckley team has done this again and again. They know the commitment level needed to make it work.”
Jim McManus, chief executive officer at The Hinckley Co., accepted the award on behalf of the company at a ceremony Monday.
“We are so proud to receive this,” McManus said. “For decades, we have tried to marry fine craftsmanship with the latest in technological innovation, and we believe that is another very significant step in making the boating experience easier, more convenient and safer for our owners. My-Villages shares our vision, and to be recognized like this is truly an honor.”
Dick Cromwell, president of the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association, said his organization was honored to have the My-Villages Innovation Award presented at its annual meeting.
“For almost 50 years, the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association has been representing companies on the cutting edge of the industry; it is great to have one of our own recognized. We are proud to have Hinckley and My-Villages as members of our association and our community.”
Through The Boat Village, My-Villages’ consumer-friendly platform for communicating, coordinating service and sharing information, and the DockMaster suite of marine business software modules, My-Villages is dedicated to helping marine businesses dramatically improve how they engage and service customers, in ways similar to those seen in the banking, healthcare and retail industries.
“The marine industry is full of examples of innovation and every year we learn of more,” Hutchinson said. “And that’s promising, because it’s high time we turn our attention to innovating the way customers are serviced and supported. Companies like Hinckley will lead the way.”
