Bayliner Boats - Doral International up for Sale

Hi gang, Rick here again bringing you Bayliner Boats and news from the boating industry. It was recently reported in the Quebec newspaper Nouvelliste, that Doral International is for sale. In the article, the newspaper noted that Doral owner Erwin Zecha had decided to sell the company in December. Doral Executive Vice President Denis Jutras was interviewed and he said that 225 jobs are at stake.

Jutras added that a local group is looking to buy the factory in order to keep it in the region. "That's looking good," he told the paper. Jutras said that a slowing US economy and the strength of the Canadian dollar has hurt the company. "We have lost market share in the United States, with 20 per cent of our sales this year against 50 per cent previously," he said. "We are less competitive and even if the international market accounts for 60 per cent of our turnover, we cannot afford to lose the American market."

Jutras said that if the company remains in Grand-Mere, the labour unions must make concessions. "We are in negotiation and the employees have to understand that their jobs are in danger," he told the paper.

Boating Industry Canada spoke to Sandra Vigneux at Doral International. She corrected some information that had been reported elsewhere. “Our main goal is to save the 225 jobs here in the Grand-Mere facility,” she told us, “there was talk of American interests looking at the company but I am not aware of that. We are hoping that a local group can buy the company out and keep the plant and the jobs in Grand-Mere.”

“Also, we are talking about the cruiser division. This situation does not affect the sport boat facility in Midland, Ontario. I would like to add that Denis Jutra has been traveling and will return from the Dubai Show next week. He may have more to add at that time. I will tell you, our international sales remain strong. The Shawinigan area board and chambers of commerce are looking closely at this because there were many important jobs lost from another industry back at Christmas. None of us want to see more closures in this area, so we are really hopeful. At present, it is still business as usual with boats being built now but spring is coming and we need to resolve this quickly,” Vigneux stated. Thanks to Boating Industry Canada for this.

Find out more information on Bayliner boat canvas, Do-it-Yourself bayliner cover kits and subscribe to our FREE newsletter.

Be sure to check out this weeks latest Bayliner Boat Videos Here:

Also we value your comments, if you can add more info in regards to this article please do so. Thank you.
Rick Ostler, Bayliner Boats.