The operating and related assets of Hunter Marine, Luhrs as well as Mainship have been recently bought by Marlow Acquisitions, headed by David Marlow. Hunter is the largest volume sailing yacht builder in the USA and starts its 40th year of operation now after a long and storied history under the stewardship of Warren and John Luhrs.
75 Marlow Explorer charter yacht MISS KULANI - Photo by Tim McKenna
In addition the majority of assets formerly known as the Luhrs and Mainship Division of Morgan Industries have been acquired including all tools and machinery related to manufacturing and distribution. All molds, work in process, patents, copyrights, materials and related items have been acquired.
Marlow has International interests in a variety of manufacturing, distribution, OEM supply and retail shipyards in the USA and Asia including the 300,000 square feet of manufacturing halls purpose built for manufacture of Marlow Explorer, Marlow Voyager and Marlow Prowler yachts from 37-100+ feet in length.
Marlow also acquired Merrill Stevens Shipyard, America’s oldest and most iconic shipyard in 2011 and is well underway to a complete renovation of this historic shipyard now 127 years young. These strategically located assets including complete service facilities on the east and west coast of Florida will provide a superior experience for Marlow customers.
Hunter Sailing Yacht manufacturing will take place on a 38 acre parcel in Alachua, Florida with an aggressive research and Development program to position Hunter as the number one manufacturer of recreation sailing yachts internationally as well as in the USA. Strenuous Quality control and functional testing systems including launch on site will be a feature of every Marlow Hunter keelboat product.
All core team members of Hunter remain on site in preparation for the upcoming “Life begins at Forty” promotional ventures to be unveiled in 2012-2013.
Interviews for exceptional new team members in all categories will begin soon with outstanding working conditions as a member of one of the world’s largest, most capable, and owner managed manufacturers. Team members will be encouraged to fully participate in this exciting new venture with passion, pride and integrity to our customers, our company and their self.
Mainship Trawlers will benefit from the vast capability and technology of Marlow’s worldwide assets including proprietary fiber reinforced plastic technology unknown to the general yachting industry but practiced for over five years on Marlow Explorer series yachts that are considered by many to reflect the highest of quality with space age technology in every detail.
Marlow Yachts Full Stack Infusion Process © bears no resemblance to the common technology of hand, spray or vacuum bagged construction developed in the late 1940s and little changed since that is practiced by boat manufacturers today. Mainship will also benefit from new tooling designed and built to take advantage of these technologies allowing increased performance in range, economy, speed and safety with quality and value of the highest order.
Existing models that are capable of meeting the very high criteria of Marlow will be re-engineered and redesigned to merge seamlessly with these goals featuring substantial upgrades in all areas.
Technologies developed by Marlow will be integrated to allow classification to the highest International standards, far exceeding minimum criteria described or imposed by regulatory authorities worldwide. This new line of Marlow developed Sailing Yachts, Offshore Cruisers, and others in development now will challenge all similar products in value, capability, performance, seaworthiness and quality with the mission statement to “Build Simply The Best”.
Marlow will begin immediately to attract and interview committed and like minded industry professionals for positions within this exciting new venture.
Marlow Hunter is headed in its 38 acre manufacturing facility located in Alachua Florida by industry professional and veteran John Peterson as President backed by a long tenured staff of committed and professional personnel.
Company Chairman David Marlow is proud of this new stage of development for the renowned and prestigious Marlow Companies, confident that despite uncertain economic times, significant and strategic asset acquisitions bear close examination for further opportunities to grow Marlow Worldwide.
Marlow’s ownership of Hunter Marine, now Marlow Hunter took place on the 40th anniversary of Hunter’s beginning.
Life does begin at 40 with the first all new Marlow Hunter 40 high performance cruising yacht to be unveiled at the Annapolis Sail Show October 4th.
