News Release 5-5-06
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: David Pagliughi |
Rampage® Sport Fishing Yachts solidifies sole supplier partnerships with CAT®, Crusader and Kohler®
Manufacturer supplier convergence is a first among independent boat builders
Navassa, NC, May 5, 2006 -- Playing Goliath to Rampage Sport Fishing Yachts’ David, a rapidly consolidating boating industry is compelling this fiercely independent yacht maker to respond with a daring new business model designed to compete in both products and pricing well into the 21st Century.
Rampage Sport Fishing Yachts today announced a collaborative working alliance with Caterpillar® Marine Engines, boasting more than 175 years experience in diesel engine technologies; Crusader Engines, building rugged, durable gas engines for 50 years; and Kohler Power Systems, which has manufactured gas and diesel generators since 1920. Rampage believes the alliance will further enable it to continuously improve and innovate in the sport fishing yacht segment.
“This is how Rampage gets to the future,” said Rick Jelinski, Rampage general manager. “We are the first independent yacht builder to partner, in this exclusive way, with these industry leaders and bring them to our manufacturing floor so that we can continue to offer our customers leading-edge design, engineering and performance.”
As single-source suppliers, CAT Marine, Crusader Engines and Kohler Power Systems provide Rampage with similar advantages in pricing and quality to the industry behemoths that are buying up both boat and engine makers. Conversely, by maintaining its independence, Rampage can continue to offer owners one-on-one flexibility in design, and its dealers highly responsive and collaborative relationships, which industry watchers say is disappearing in the 30- to 45-foot yacht category as a result of consolidation.
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As the sole supplier of diesel engines to Rampage, a CAT technician is permanently on board at Rampage’s massive North Carolina facility to certify installation and support the company’s quality, performance and innovation goals.
Crusader Engines, which feature General Motors’ Vortec engine blocks and multi-port fuel injection technology, will provide inboard gas engines for Rampage’s fleet of 30- and 33-foot sport fishing yachts. Rampage has designated Kohler, whose generators have powered expeditions to Antarctica, as the sole provider of both diesel and gas power generators.
“Rampage has staked its claim as the offshore authority and we believe this partnership adds credibility to that claim,” says Pete Gillon, brand manager for Rampage. “We are building an ever better manufacturing and engineering team that now includes recognized marine industry leaders right on the plant floor. Every installation will be certified as meeting the most stringent quality and material standards.”
Part of the success of the partnership rests with longtime Rampage CAT and Kohler suppliers: Gregory Poole, one of the largest CAT dealers in the world; and Nixon Power, the world’s largest distributor of Kohler generators. Each has strong customer service cultures and will serve Rampage’s growing network of dealers, providing timely service work and other Rampage owner needs.
“Like Rampage, Gregory Poole is committed to top customer satisfaction and support, and continually strives to help our boat builders deliver the highest quality fishing yachts to this demanding market. This partnership gives us the opportunity to both support Rampage’s growing success, and provide its dealers with unprecedented service,” says Neil Peterken, marine account manager at Gregory Poole.
“Nixon Power is proud of our partnership with Rampage Yachts, not only for its commitment to building a high quality offshore fishing machine, but for its commitment to the new low-CO2 emission generators from Kohler in its gas models,” says Bryant Phillips, president and chief operating officer of Nixon Power.
“Diesel or gas, these yachts continually demonstrate Rampage’s commitment to reliability and the latest in technology for its customers.”
“Crusader Engines is working directly with Rampage and its owners and will provide service and support through its “Premier Dealer” network and customer direct hotline,” said Chuck Thurman, president of Pleasurecraft Engine Group. “We are pleased to be a part of this dynamic alliance with Rampage Sport Fishing Yachts.”
The first product to benefit from this convergence of original equipment manufacturer and tier 1 supplier is the newly re-engineered limited Barta Canyon Edition 33’ Express. Rampage has entered a licensing agreement with Tred Barta, noted deep sea sport fisherman, author and popular star of OLN’s “The Best and Worst of Tred Barta,” and outfitted its best-selling 33’ Express with more than 50 upgrades, including a handsome teak transom, state-of-the-art ice management system and fuel capacity typically reserved for much larger vessels. The Barta Canyon Edition stars as Barta’s “Makaira” and is featured on the primetime segments of this nationally broadcast show.
Company Information
Rampage Sport Fishing Yachts
Rampage Sport Fishing Yachts, the Offshore Authority, designs and builds rugged blue-water sport fishing yachts that combine comfort and convenience with speed, durability and performance-focused engineering. Based in Navassa, N.C., Rampage creates highly fishable express and convertible sport fishing yachts, 30 to 45 feet, in 344,000 square feet of state-of-the art production facilities. To see a Rampage Sport Fishing Yacht, or to locate a dealer, visit www.rampageyachts.com.
Crusader Marine Engines
For over 50 years, Crusader Marine Engines has provided premium inboard power for the offshore and openwater markets. Crusader joins PCM, the premier provider of engines for water sports and tow boats, to create the Pleasurecraft Engine Group, the largest manufacturer of gasoline inboards in the world.
Pleasurecraft inboards are ranked highest in customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates (ski/wake). Crusader is serviced by a strong national network of distributors and factory-trained Premier Dealers in the industry. For more information and to locate a local Premier Dealer, visit www.crusaderengines.com and www.pleasurecraft.com.
Gregory Poole
Gregory Poole Marine Power, with headquarters in Beaufort, N.C., and facilities in Wilmington and Wanchese, N.C., is a world leader in sales and product support of Caterpillar® Marine Engines for the pleasure craft industry. In addition to their expertise with Caterpillar, Gregory Poole Marine Power is an authorized distributor of Volkswagen Marine Engines, as well as an authorized service provider in North Carolina for both
Crusader and Mercury's MerCruiser lines of inboard marine engines. Gregory Poole Marine Power is a division of Gregory Poole Equipment Company, which is based in Raleigh, N.C., and has operations at 10 locations in three states.
Nixon Power
Nixon Power Services Co., headquartered in Nashville, TN, is the world’s largest distributor of Kohler stand-by power options and an award-winning supplier to the marine industry. A division of Geneva Corporation, Nixon Power supplies Kohler energy solutions throughout the Southeast United States through its sales and service centers located in Nashville, TN; Louisville, KY; Atlanta, GA; and Charlotte, NC and – in addition to Rampage Yachts – is a supplier of record for such outstanding national companies as BellSouth; Cingular Wireless; Lowes and The Home Depot.
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