Rick,
I was at the factory two weeks ago in connection with the boat they are building for me. John was replaced by Robin Bradshaw. There have been major changes at PSC recently, including personnel. Robin is a welcomed addition (worked there previously for many years). The website, apparently, is to be upgraded. Unfortunately, big changes can sometimes lead to a little confusion in the middle of them. Hopefully, that will smooth out soon. What follows is a press release explaining a lot. I got it off the sailnet list for PSC.
Dave
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sept. 8, 2006, Fullerton, California USA
MAJOR COURSE CHANGE FOR PACIFIC SEACRAFT CORP.
At the August dealer gathering in Fullerton, Pacific Seacraft Corporation unveiled a bold initiative that promises to put the California yacht manufacturer at the forefront of the cruising sailboat market. In addition to their own Pacific Seacraft traditional-style cruisers, they now manufacture and market the Saga brand of high performance cruisers. The recent addition of Saga models to its line optimizes Pacific Seacraft’s production efficiency and also attracts a fresh new sailing clientele to its expanded line of products. The company’s new business strategy is designed to capitalize on the synergies between the brands.
A key element in Pacific Seacraft’s future plans is the recent appointment of Allan Poole to the CEO position. Mr. Poole is a life-long industry veteran with solid management credentials from executive stints at several leading North American and European boat builders. He began his career in Great Britain as a boatbuilder immediately after graduation from Strathclyde University in Glasgow with a degree in engineering. Subsequently, he has held high level positions at several US and Canadian firms. A lifelong sailor, his sailing resume ranges from world championship IOR “Ton Cup” racing to cruising around the Caribbean with his wife and family.
At the recent Pacific Seacraft Dealer meeting, Poole advised the dealers, “Pacific Seacraft is committed to expand on its 28 year record of building ‘America’s Best Cruising Sailboats’ (Editor’s note: according to Fortune Magazine) and not just rely on a well deserved reputation.”
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“I do see a golden opportunity to enhance the quality, durability and value of the Pacific Seacraft line by embracing technical advances made available to us in the 21st century.” Poole added, “The addition of Saga to our product line earlier this year introduced an array of modern materials and methods to our plant and its employees. The Pacific Seacraft line can profoundly benefit from this synergy as we apply these advances to our Pacific Seacraft brand. In the same vein the current Sagas we are now building have already been blessed with a myriad of refinements in specification and quality upgrades taken from the Pacific Seacraft legacy as we have adapted the Saga product to suit our standard in-house practices.”
Although the specifics were not made public, Poole indicated planning for business through 2008 was well developed. Production capacity has recently been increased with new additions to the shop staff to meet the orders already booked for fall through early spring and to accommodate the new Saga product. Further plant hires will be required by year end to accomodate the fall boat show order influx. Soon announcements will be made of new additions to customer service, product development, and marketing departments. And finally, two completely new Pacific Seacraft models are now under development with one just handed over to Bill Crealock this past week.
Poole concluded, “I am excited and invigorated by this challenge. The strong history and time-honored traditions of this company will be respected. It’s an honor and an opportunity to take the helm at this time in its history and guide it to a new level of prominence in this millennium. I sense the same kind of excitement as the thrill of taking departure for a long ocean voyage --- it’s the beginning of a great adventure. I invite our dealers, our owners and fans, as well as industry observers to pay close attention to Pacific Seacraft. We have a lot of news forthcoming.”
BACKGROUND:
Pacific Seacraft Corporation is a luxury yacht manufacturer located in Fullerton, California (Los Angeles area). The company handcrafts and markets two lines of yachts, Pacific Seacraft (Dana 24, Pacific Seacraft 31’,34’,37’, 40’ and 44’, all designed by William Crealock) and Saga Yachts (Saga 409 a Tony Castro design; Saga 43, and 48 both by Robert H. Perry). The Pacific Seacraft line of yachts is marketed to discriminating cruising sailors desiring “retro” styling and traditional features. The Saga brand is marketed to technically savvy sailors desiring high performance in an offshore cruiser with up-to-the-minute features and styling.
Pacific Seacraft has been twice cited by FORTUNE MAGAZINE as “The 100 best products of their type, built in America.” Pacific Seacraft was also featured in volumes I and II of the bestsellers, The World’s Best Sailboats, authored by Ferenc Mate. The Saga 48 was named “2004 Boat of the Year”. The Saga 43 was also Boat of the Year, First Runner-up in 1996.