Photo courtesy Grand Craft boats

GENOA CITY – Grand Craft Boats, one of the world’s most luxurious wooden boat manufacturers, has recently completed its first full year in its new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Genoa City.

Grand Craft relocated to Genoa City in late 2021 from Holland, Mich. and ended 2022 with momentum and a strong tailwind into the new year, according to a news release.

In 2022, Grand Craft sold a total of eight luxury mahogany wooden runabouts for customers across the country, including in New York and Florida. The company finished out the year with a total of nine employees, up six employees since originally relocating, added three new strategic sales partners located across the U.S. and launched a new website to showcase its models, features, custom offerings and more.

“I’m so proud of my team and our partners for all that we accomplished this past year,” said Patrick Gallagher, co-owner, president and CEO of Grand Craft in the news release. “My wife, Rose, and I purchased the company in early 2021, so 2022 was not only our first full year in our new facility and headquarters, but it was also our first full year as owners of Grand Craft. We laid a lot of groundwork, while also having great successes, and we can’t wait to see what 2023 brings!”

Grand Craft just recently completed work on a brand-new website at www.GrandCraft.com, featuring increased user functionality and design that will allow the company to better showcase its five handcrafted models.

Gallagher also focused recent efforts on selecting strategic sales partners across the country in key markets. Chosen for their knowledge, skill in the industry and clientele, partners include Gage Marine covering Wisconsin and Chicagoland area, Gull Lake Marine covering Michigan and northern Indiana, and Hansen Marine Sales covering Upstate New York.

He is pursuing other partners to cover Austin, Texas, as well as in Canada and Europe.

In 2023, Grand Craft plans to manufacture ten boats, hire additional staff, forge strategic alliances in new markets and supply the best handcrafted mahogany boat to new and returning customers.

“We have high aspirations for the coming 12 months and beyond,” said Gallagher. “The more who experience driving or riding in our boats or admiring our models as ‘art on water’ like they are, the more momentum Grand Craft will gain.”

By Staff Report

Walworth County Community News