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Has it been posted already?
From Boattest.com
http://www.boattest.com/Resources/view_news.aspx?NewsID=419
A Hot Category
MasterCraft, located in Vonore, TN, is the world’s second largest builder (about 2300 units in 2006) of water ski and wakeboard boats, after west coast builder Malibu (2900 units in ’06). The total US market for these specialized inboard-powered boats is about 10,000 annually, with the rest of the market made up primarily of Correct Craft (1600 units), Moomba (1260 units), Supra (644 units) and Tigé (850 units).
The market for these boats is small, but it has been one of the few growing categories in the sport over the last few years, thanks to the advent of wakeboarding – both with and without a tow rope. It is simply snowboarding on the water, with about the same constituency. Ski/wakeboard boats are also complex and the most creatively-designed boats on the market these days for their size. They are also expensive.
Electricity in the Hallways
Located on the banks of Lake Tellico, south of Knoxville, MasterCraft tests every one of its boats before shipment and has professional ski/wakeboarders on staff to work out the wrinkles on new products and suggest innovations.
Company president and CEO John Dorton says that the plant will stay in Vonore and will likely add employees due to booming international sales and its saltwater line. “The entire management team will stay intact,” Dorton said, and that is likely to be true since one of the stated acquisition requirements of TRP is a solid management team already in place. MasterCraft has that and the halls of the executive offices are electric with excitement – more what one might expect in Silicone Valley than in the sleepy boating industry – as the young execs dart from meeting to meeting, cooking up the next ad campaign, or product feature, or new model.
5,000 Annual units in 5 Years?
Dorton also said he expects business to double for MasterCraft during the next five years and with this deal the company will have the financial backing (thanks to Jefferies and Co.) to meet its goals. Roger Penske said in the press release, "MasterCraft has established an outstanding reputation for performance, quality and product innovation. We are pleased to have joined the MasterCraft team and look forward to supporting the company during the next phase of its growth."
In the M&A business, the seller usually knows more about the company and its prospects than the buyer, and often that is why the company is on the market. But in this case, it looks like the VC owners made a tidy profit and would like to move on given the volatility of the boating market, and the new VC buyers have their eyes wide open and some pretty big plans.
Andrew Janower, managing director of Charlesbank Capital Partners, also commented on the acquisition in the release, saying, “…We have partnered successfully with TRP in the past, and now we look forward to putting our combined strength behind the preeminent MasterCraft brand to help the company capitalize on its many opportunities for growth."
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The big question in the marine industry the last seven days has been: “Where will Penske go next? Do you think he will take aim on our niche? How will he change the business?” Interestingly, Malibu, Correct Craft and other ski/wakeboard builders are not quaking in their topsiders. Some managers at these companies feel that while MasterCraft's market share might grow, Penske will also do things that will grow the overall ski/wakeboard market, meaning all six of the companies will sell more boats.
The truth of the matter is that virtually the whole industry could be at Penske’s feet, except for the few independent, family-owned companies who take pride in nurturing their business and handing it down to the next generation. But no matter what happens, that man who rarely appears to smile should have a positive effect on the sport and the quality of the boating industry in general.
Welcome aboard, Roger. What took you so long?
(Message edited by Phat in Cincy on August 23, 2007)
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