oct-2017

140 141 AMERICAN CUSTOM YACHTS portion of ACY’s overall business.“Up to 2005,we used to be about 65-70 percent production.Recently,we’ve probably reduced production to around 30 percent and service up to 70-80 percent,”LaCombe avers. But broadening the business’scope to include service and repairs has proven to be a game changer forACY.“Therewas actuallymore competition,froma boat-building perspective,in our local area in the early nineties to the 2000s,but a lot of themdidn’t have the ability to shift into that servicemodel,”LaCombe speculates.“Unfortunately,a lot of the big names that I grewup looking up to are gone.” In addition to adapting its businessmodel,LaCombe believes thatACYhas sustained itself through brand recognition and its longevity in the industry.But it still has to promote itself which is why it recentlycreated an in-house,business development office.Another key move for the companycame in 2014,when LaCombe’s partners purchasedNorthAmerica’s largest yacht manufacturer,Westport Yachts,based in PortAngeles, Washington. “We’re looking at combined efforts inmarketing becausewe’re able to service that type of fleet,”says LaCombe.“That purchase reallyworks towards reduc- ing some of the costs amongst both companies.One of the big things with theWestport purchase is we want to be known as a group that can build your entire fleet,from160 feet down to 34 feet.There aren’t many companies in the United States that can pull that off anymore.” OF THE PALM BEACHES, INC. Specializing in: • High Performance Installations, Repairs & Maintenance • MAN, Cummins & Detroit Diesels • Generator & Electrical Repairs 1715 Broadway, Riviera Beach, FL 33404 PH: 561.844.7007 • FAX: 561.844.4404 CELL: 561.310.4467 EMAIL: john@floridamarinetech.com www.FloridaMarineTech.com PREFERRED VENDORS n Florida Marine Tech Inc. www.floridamarinetech.com n West Marine Pro westmarinepro.com Fast Page Loads Streamlined Checkout Multiple Account Sign-Ons Improved Search Quick Order Easy Invoice Look-up Requisition Lists • Over 135,000 products for your business • 27 regional distribution centers • 250+ West Marine stores • The most-knowledgeable and seasoned sales representatives in the industry Your 24/7 destination that’s packed with the features you need to get the most out of your time and money. westmarinepro.com All backed by the power of West Marine Pro. 1-800-621-6885 or visit westmarinepro.com. Increased Inventory Availability