Mercury Marine 75th Anniversary

 The following was received from our Mercury Marine Rep:

Mercury Marine celebrated its 75th anniversary on Wednesday, Jan. 22, from its humble beginnings in Wisconsin to its growth into the world’s leading provider of marine engines. Mercury, a division of Brunswick Corporation, designs, manufactures and sells the broadest range of marine propulsion products for applications ranging from inflatable tenders and fishing boats to cruisers and yachts.“Mercury will celebrate its 75th anniversary throughout 2014 in ways that will reflect our strong heritage of innovation and leadership in the marine industry,” said Mark Schwabero, president of Mercury Marine. “We will conduct events in locations around the world that will engage our customers, suppliers, employees and communities and will recognize the roles those people and entities have played in establishing the foundation of our business and our future."We're excited about sharing this celebration with those who have helped us grow and succeed."Mercury was founded by E. Carl Kiekhaefer in 1939 when he purchased a bankrupt engine manufacturing plant in Cedarburg, Wis., not far from the Kiekhaefer family farm. The plant assets included 300 outboard engines that had been rejected by a large mail-order retailer due to defects and operating problems. Hoping to transform the engines into working capital to fund the future business he envisioned – magnetic separators for the dairy-farm industry – Mr. Kiekhaefer redesigned, rebuilt and sold the engines to the retailer that had initially rejected them. The engines sold immediately and Kiekhaefer suddenly found himself in the marine engine business.Mercury made its initial mark in the marine industry by providing reliable, innovative products. But it didn’t take long before its engines were highly regarded for performance and speed. Mercury has long been recognized for producing engines that not only get you where you want to go, but also get you there first. Mercury directs the activities of more 5,400 employees in dozens of countries from its global headquarters in Fond du Lac, Wis., and works hand in hand with more than 4,200 dealers and distributors around the world. Mercury’s year-long 2014 celebration plans include events in various locations throughout the world.

George's Marine & Sports has been a proud Mercury Marine Dealer since 1973.   Mercury Marine is a leader in the industry and we wish them continued success!

Jeff & David St. Laurent at the Toronto Boat Show 2014. 

Kingston Boat Show

Kingston Here We Are!

We were surprised at the Toronto Boat Show with the fact that people didn't know we had a store in Kingston.  At the Eastern Ontario Boat, Powersports & RV Show you will definitely be introduced to our Kingston store located at 4000 Bath Road.
We will be bringing to the show Bayliner, Centurion, Crestliner,Harris Flotebote along with Regal and Tracker Boats.  It is a perfect opportunity to view the boats and take advantage of some promotions going on for boat shows only.
Our Kingston staff will have details on our 2014 Dockage Rates and what is new at the Marina this coming year.
So, yes Kingston, we are here and we are looking forward to meeting you at the show.
Feb 7 - 9, Kingston Expo Centre

BoatDealers Blogging Update

Well at George's Marine & Sports the blogging may have taken a back seat but the past year has flown by.  There were a few good months along with some very slow months.  Last year's boat show went well but the spring was colder then desired.  In some parts of the Ottawa area people were on the lake in early April while in the Ottawa Valley it would be quite a while before people ventured to the cottage.
We had continued suggest at the Top 100 Boat Dealers in North America and tried our hand at the Toronto Boat Show, setting up in the Regal Boat  booth and Harris Flote Boats booth.  That show is an expensive  for us since we are four hours from the city but it is amazing the number of people from our area that check out Toronto before the Ottawa shore.
This weekend we are busy with a Fishing Boat Show which will be an excellent lead into the Ottawa Boat Show.  With the new convention centre showcasing the boats our 42' Regal will be a major WOW factor.
Hopefully the year to come will see consistent blogging with information that you will like to read!

Google +

First I got a headache trying to figure out Facebook.  How do I create more friends???

Then it was blogging.  As you can see by past blogging post that didn't last to long.  As for Linkedin  I seem to lack in networking skills.

Now I  Twitter.  Everyday I try to post something and read what is going on in my "Twitter world".

If that isn't enough I have to learn google+.  The jury is still out on it but we have to be on the cutting edge so hey I have an account.  No one else that I know, nor the companies that I deal with, do.  But we do!  I must say it is pretty lonely there.

Doing a review of our SEO status with the boss I hear heavy sighs.  Knowing that my feelings are hurt easily with criticism he has to come up with a way to say that things suck in our social media department.

Besides having sensitive feelings I hate giving up a task I was told to do (stop laughing kids and be quiet)so  I ask for another few months to see if I can do better.  

Hence this post.  It doesn't include any information about the product we sell, or an update of store activities, but it allowed me to vent and start thinking of a game plan.  

Boat Show in Gananoque

For what I believe will be our last boat show this spring George's we will be attending the 1000 Islands Boat Show in Gananoque.  We are looking forward to meeting with past, present and future boat owners from around this area.  Our favourite family boating is in the 1000 Islands and the on the Rideau System.
Our family of four kids and two adults has changed to 6 adults.  Needless to say the size of boat equals the level of enjoyment for all involved.  Remember if you want a boat for delivery by May or June it should be purchased now.  Drop by our booth #B5 and say hello to our staff.

Back To Work

We returned back from a two week work/vacation trip spent in Hawaii.  Long distance trips always kill us and it is hard to get back into the groove.  With this trip I booked our return on a Friday.  We landed on Saturday morning and most of us (ok the people over 40) went immediately to bed for a sleep and a rest only to get up for dinner.  I heard from some of the kids that travelled with us that they went out (or was that just one child?).  Everyone had Sunday to do laundry and rest some more.  It is Monday morning and I know 3 of the 6 were able to go to work at the usual time - I usually don't check on the students because some questions I just don't want answered.

What every business needs... Peer Support

As a business we commit to a group called 20 Group. Every 4 months 20 marine dealers get together to discuss challenges and successes as a marine dealer. This group is facilitated by a group called Spader Business Group. I am not an advertisement blog but I believe this is an important commitment that some of us as marine dealers make to our business and to the customer.
"Several times a year we network with non-competing peers from across Canada and the US under the guidance of a Spader Business Management group consultant". One interesting part of this group is the peer review done on the business whose location we are visiting that trip. A group of like minded owners give an honest and helpful critique of the business being visited. This allows you, as the business being reviewed, to take the critique and make changes that will allow your business to stay or to get on top of your game. A successful business means you are offering and delivering to the customer product and services that they want and in a way that they want.