[54' Bertram]

Ok, I'll shoot the first volley across the bow.

Word is there is a buyer for the factory and land in Miami and that they plan to relocate to NC. My Allied rep didn't deny it at FLIBS.

What do you know?

[Capt J]

I have not heard anything, but that's the best thing that could happen to them.

[SHAZAM]

I heard from the RE broker that was representing the property that the sale fell through. Leaving Miami would mean the company would lose it's connections to its roots, Bertram heritage is south florida just like Cigarette, it would be just wrong if they were anywhere other than south Florida.

[Capt J]

Originally Posted by SHAZAM!

I heard from the RE broker that was representing the property that the sale fell through. Leaving Miami would mean the company would lose it's connections to its roots, Bertram heritage is south florida just like Cigarette, it would be just wrong if they were anywhere other than south Florida.

That would be all well and good if anyone at the factory could build a quality boat. IMO, the boats have outgrown the facility and area they're being built in. The labor force they have is no longer building the same quality boat that the name represented up until the mid 90's or so. Sometimes starting fresh is the best thing to do. Labor, land, and taxes are cheaper in NC.

[NYCAP123]

What, not China? So. Florida has changed a lot and lost a lot of talent in the past 30 years. I think they'd be a very good fit all around in N.C.

[54' Bertram]

it is true the current factory is no longer big enough for the size boats they are producing. They also have very few skilled workers remaining at the factory. many of the various components are outsourced and it is not surprising that many of their subcontractors are former Bertam employees.

In it's hayday, Bertram hired and taught many skilled people. through the rough periods in both the economy and with leadership and ownership changes, these people left to start on their own. the more you farm out, the less quality control you have at the end of the day.

I have never viewed Bertram as a "Florida" builder in a positive or negative sense versus say Hatteras being a "Carolina's" builder or Viking as a "New Jersey" builder. I've always looked at Bertram as Bertram and how they stacked up against the competition. I think a move to North Carolina would allow them access to a more skilled labor force and perhaps be able to bring much of the subcontracted work back in house.

I'm reminded of the classic marketing line "The sun never sets on the Bertram Empire". who ever said that Empire was only Miami?

[54' Bertram]

Originally Posted by SHAZAM!

I heard from the RE broker that was representing the property that the sale fell through. Leaving Miami would mean the company would lose it's connections to its roots, Bertram heritage is south florida just like Cigarette, it would be just wrong if they were anywhere other than south Florida.

so if I follow your logic,you would not buy a Bertram if they moved as it is "just wrong"? any substative reason besides that? and if you didn't buy a Bertram for that reason, what would you buy since their 2 major competators are in North Carolina and New Jersey?

The "heritage" you speak of was a 31' speedboat, far removed from todays convertible compared to the first fiberglass boat from Hatteras, a 41' convertible called Nit Wits. had Dave Naiper not been hied by Bertram, Bertram may have never moved into the larger convertible market.

I would agree that it would be sad if Bertram had to move, but sad because the skill set of the south florida worker is nowhere near what it used to be. they could always build bigger building on the same land but without a staff, its not worth it.

[SHAZAM]

Originally Posted by 54' Bertram

so if I follow your logic,you would not buy a Bertram if they moved as it is "just wrong"? any substative reason besides that? and if you didn't buy a Bertram for that reason, what would you buy since their 2 major competators are in North Carolina and New Jersey?

The "heritage" you speak of was a 31' speedboat, far removed from todays convertible compared to the first fiberglass boat from Hatteras, a 41' convertible called Nit Wits. had Dave Naiper not been hied by Bertram, Bertram may have never moved into the larger convertible market.

Next time you bump into Dave, ask him who came up with the idea of Bertram being a "florida/miami" boat and how back in the day that was one of the marketing departments favorite ways to sell Bertrams heritage then get back to me.

[CaptTom]

Maybe it's also due ot the fact that the current president, Alton Herndon is from NC. He was formerly with Hatteras Yachts and more recently held a position at Southport Boat Works (based in NC).

[SHAZAM]

Originally Posted by CaptTom

Maybe it's also due ot the fact that the current president, Alton Herndon is from NC. He was formerly with Hatteras Yachts and more recently held a position at Southport Boat Works (based in NC).

Capt, I doubt it's got anything to do with that and more than likely everything to do with the fact that the Carolina's (for that matter everywhere but Florida) is extremely business friendly and will do anything (including in some instances give free property) to lure manufacturers to their states. Florida on the other hand (Dade in particular) will do anything they can to discourage new business and will do everything they can to make life miserable for people already in business (ask anyone in the boat business in Dade county about DERM and see what they say). Think back 10 years and list all the boat builders that were in Florida, check today and see how many of the larger ones have relocated out of state.

[CaptTom]

Shazam,
The fact that Alton has built in NC (and sees that Miami is falling off) and knows that there are still fine craftmen up there has to be part of the equation. Also, if he's a savvy businessman, he is working out incentives from the local cities, counties and state that will make it very attractive to move there.
And I agree that the FL counties are helping to drive boat businesses out of the area. Broward is also on the list of declining builders and yards. But I hear that Charleston is picking up as well as other areas up north, out of Florida (except for Rybo perhaps).

[SHAZAM]

Cap, there's no shortage of quality craftsmen here in FL, just a shortage of people willing to employ them.

[54' Bertram]

Originally Posted by SHAZAM!

Next time you bump into Dave, ask him who came up with the idea of Bertram being a "florida/miami" boat and how back in the day that was one of the marketing departments favorite ways to sell Bertrams heritage then get back to me.

ok, so I'm back with you. they sold les than 12 boats over 63' last year. it's over! they either build a good boat or they don't. why do you hang on to the good years? If I owned Bertram I would move it. If you owned Bertram what would you do? This isn't a pissing contest between cubans and rednecks. its about scales of ecomomy and where can I as a builder have the best environment to build in.

[frankie252]

We could use the boost here as well. Unfortunate for the FL makers though I do understand work force is tight everywhere right now. However we build Hatteras, Albermarle, Carolina Classic, Fountain, Viking, Bayliner, Cabo, Jones Brothers, & Parker to list a few so the work will be welcome here in NC. Hatteras as finally opened production again as of February of this year. Boat builders across the globe have had to change a great deal to keep people employed. So I seems it's one of those do what you have to things to survive. But hate to see any company have to move from it's birth place.

[54' Bertram]

hello Shazam, still waiting on your reply my friend.