its official , Bertram has moved into the old Sea Ray plant on Merritt island http://www.floridatoday.com/article...Brevard-manufacturing?gcheck=1&nclick_check=1
A sad day for the die hard old school Bertram fans down here in Miami. Although the new facility might be better, I think by leaving Miami Bertram is losing part of its soul.
This is a very ambitious move for Bertram. I hope they are able to bring the brand back to what it once was.
What a crock! That link to the Gannett owned 'FloridaToday' newspaper pops up a banner, blacking out your screen, letting you know your reading a complimentary issue, then giving options to subscribe; like they're doing us all a favor. You know, I try to be politically impartial and semi-respectable on YF, but there comes a time when the gloves have to come off... GET LOST Gannett! Returning to the thread subject, I'm just returning from the media event in Merritt. I’ve got pics on my camera and thoughts swirling about in – what is remaining – of my cerebral matter. Will post tomorrow. Too tired to type!
Found this on their website: Bertram Yacht | News & Articles Their Facebook page has some pictures from today on it. End of an era in Miami. But if they had to move, Merritt Island is way better than any of the rumors that have been going around. (NC, SC, or China!). I wish them the best.
I'm not so sure. Yeah, they can probably pick up some ex-searay employees. But there are some REALLY good boat builders in NC and SC and really good skilled labor, that's usually loyal. Look at all of the custom SF that have amazing attention to detail that come out of those places. If Searay couldn't make Merritt Island work on their balance sheet, and they produce a heck of a lot more boats per year than Bertram....I don't know if Bertram can......or can even salvage their name from the last decade of disasters.
Bertram's New Merritt Island Yard; YF's coverage... http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/b...ure-bertrams-new-merritt-island-facility.html
Merritt Island - facility, employees, location, etc. was NOT the reason SR shut her down. More of a corporate "bean counter" thing. Even though the Bertram location is on Merritt Island, SR referred to it as the Cape Canaveral Plant. They had some major issues with permits with the local government, especially when they carved out the dock/basin without all the paperwork in place. They were hand-cuffed and could not complete the docks or leave vessels in the basin (which is quite a Manatee haven at times). It would be interesting to know how Bertram was able to get the green light to complete dockage and secure the necessary permits.........
Chinese paying Italians who pay Americans to build "American" boats that are styled by Italians. Good luck with that.
Now that's ironic! We are in the midst of an amazing economic paradigm shift; the greatest transfer of wealth the world has ever seen.
Did anyone see the John Stossel interview with the Governor of Peurto Rico, amazing turn around of an economy, some should take note before |Chinese is the 3rd language
Nc? About this time last year I thought I heard that Bertram was moving somewhere in North Carolina. Also heard that parts of the old Miami plant was getting converted to a movie studio. Was this trash news or transition that failed?
We went down the Port Canaveral barge canal last week. Noticed what I thought was to be the new Bertram plant. Still looks like a ghost town. Am I looking at the correct facility? Are they building anything there yet?
Not much activity after the big press release and painting one of the visible buildings purple They must still be in the moving/logistics phase????