Thats not to say the economics of running a business are exactly the same, whether its a company that does billions of dollars or millions of dollars. There was nothing else like it at the time. Sta-Lok Terminals Ltd. is returning as the Official Standing Rigging Supplier for the upcoming edition of the Clipper Race. It was something better than that. Centounonavi Vespro construction proceeding fast. Printer Friendly View Address: 2531 W 5TH North St Summerville, SC, 29483-9640 United States . Do you think the smaller companies will emerge most healthy from this lingering downturn? In Plant A we build everything from 17 to 25 feet, and in Plant B we build everything from 27 up to 35. People don't see enough good reasons not to buy something secondhand. I was impressed with the designs of the Moppies and Bertrams. With the advancements of the materials that are being used, and with all the things the coastal fishing boat market is doing to build a better product, I think people are gravitating toward that. Since its founding more than three decades ago, the company's goal has been to manufacture the best-built boats in its distinctive sportfishing niches. Scout was one of the early companies to build creature comforts into fishing boats. I spent the next 30 years driving Scout to new levels, not only self teaching myself business and management along the way, but learning that surrounding yourself with like-minded, driven individuals was crucial to continued success. If our Policy changes in the future, we will notify our customers and website users of any such changes by posting an updated policy on our website. We need to create designs that don't exist. Potts lives on the water in Charleston with his wife. Seldn Mast expands range of Roller Bearing Blocks, Ideal for backstays, mainsheet arrangements and sheets for downwind sails. Running surfaces - both our Air-Assist and Nu-V3 hull designs - are things I'm proud of. A: It was a very humble beginning just myself, my wife [Dianne] and a helper, literally in a brick barn or a garage. Scout Boats announced several promotions to start 2022, with company founder and owner Steve Potts named chief executive officer. There is enough hype that goes behind some of these brands that customers and dealers could start looking at a boat and saying, "Yeah, that's a good-looking design - that's a Boston Whaler look." I'm a boatbuilder and focus all my energies on building boats. When we got to it a couple of days after and saw what was left of what Id worked for for so long, my emotions were really anger and determination. July 9, 2022; . Timeless styling, sleek aesthetics and technology are three main pillars of this flagship. View Colleagues. When we started, I knew the business model had to be something very simple and conservative. Scout Boats president and CEO Steve Potts launched the South Carolina company with $50,000 he managed to scrimp and save while working a night job repairing fiberglass bathtubs, and a day job as plant manager at American Sail. For more information on Scout, visit www.scoutboats.com. (Three Garmin 8215 15 screens come standard.) Company Description:? It seems like it's going to be very expensive, very specialized. Onboarding new customers can also be powerful for word-of-mouth marketing, and repeat and referral business. Id say sometime in the early 70s that little design and that name went away. The man behind the company is president and CEO Steve Potts. Scout Boats employs over 400 team members at the Summerville facility.The companys commitment to quality craftsmanship is evident in every aspect of the manufacturing process. A: Were right at 240 employees now, and my five-year plan going forward thats going to take us to 2019 is to be at 500 employees. Get a D&B Hoovers Free Trial. Weve built a team here that will continue to take us into the future, said Potts. Plus, at the Outboard Shop we also built our own raceboats. Steve Potts was born on 7 May, 1967 in Hartford, Connecticut, United States. A: It was a relatively simple creek boat - a saltwater fishing boat. The 15 was a wider and longer version of it. Upgrade the standard upholstery package to the Brisa or Italia package, maneuver with confidence in tight spots with the proportional bow thruster, and enjoy a cockpit table or fighting chair alongside your optional electric grill. Consumers need to start hearing the message that we're doing things with running surfaces, with building materials and with other design aspects so that when a boat's a few years old it doesn't look like it's falling apart. Having been in the marine industry since I was 14, I knew that one day I wanted to do my own thing and apply all the things Id learned to do and learned not to do. This Privacy Policy sets forth the privacy practices with respect to your information when you use our software, mobile applications and services (Services) . In that building we have what we call Plant A and Plant B. This article originally appeared in the December 2014 issue. Can you speak to that? They had several paragraphs saying what a clever design this was, that [the builder had] incorporated tempered glass and the boat has this beautifully shaped T-top. I spent the next 30 years driving Scout to new levels, not only self teaching myself business and management along the way, but learning that surrounding yourself with like-minded, driven individuals was crucial to continued success. Q: What features or styles do today's Scout boats have that were present on those first boats? Key Principal: Steve Potts See more contacts Industry: Boatbuilding and repairing. Meaning, once the founder has moved on and is in their twilight years, they step away from it and theres not the youth behind them. The company initially operated out of a small garage, but it has . A: Long-term value. Scout was founded with a handful of employees and a couple of molds in a small brick building back in 1989 by Steve and his wife Dianne Potts. He is not dating anyone. "For 50 years I've had my hands on my craft, and on building a successful business. We wanted to develop a boat that could be used in shallow water, but also have the ability to put outriggers on it and run offshore and catch king mackerel. I worked my way up and became a manager. It will be interesting to see where that goes. If its a young couple out of school just starting their careers and their budget means theyre going to be able to get a 17-foot boat, as long as were doing our job we want to be there for them. No one else in the industry has even come close. #era, Cruising through the weekin style. I have a great deal of respect for - and I want my company to emulate - some of the pioneers that did things that were different, like what Dick Fischer did with Boston Whaler. The 12.8-metre 420 LXF is Scout's largest fishing boat. ", "I've always seen myself as a visionary, and my role as CEO will allow me to focus much more on that aspect, but in no way does it take me away from Scout," add Potts. They typically are handsome, with impressive workmanship and fit and finish. We have estimated Steve Pottss net worth, money, salary, income, and assets. We sold Boston Whaler, Bertram, Thunderbird and Ranger Bass boats, so I kind of learned the characteristics of quality boats. A younger Potts races an early-model Scout back in the day. We shattered a few windshields. Scout models arent just stunning to look attheyre also packed with many first-to-market innovations and features. Q: Did you grow up around the water and boats? So I made up my mind in the mid-80s to start working hard besides raising a family and coaching soccer and doing all the other things dads do to start working toward saving money and starting my own business. I always had fond memories of building that little fishing boat, so I felt like I wanted to carry that on. I repaired a lot of boats and I learned what not to do. Soundings Trade Only caught up with Potts to ask him about starting his boatbuilding business with the $50,000 he was able to squirrel away in the 1980s, and working a night job repairing fiberglass bathtubs and during the day as plant manager at American Sail. Newly developed battery system suitable for electric and hybrid propulsion. We are very conscious of making sure that we maintain quality and efficiency. The hull designs were very distinctive. I worked there after school and in the summer in my teen years. As an Amazon Associate, We may earn from qualifying purchases. I asked my PR agency, how can we do something so that this doesn't impact [Scout's] reputation? Stevie Potts, vice president of product development and engineering. Have you been able to keep up with demand and what kind of backlogs do you have? We have always been a family owned-and-operated company, and Im proud to say our Scout family is comprised of both blood and non-blood individuals., Ive always seen myself as a visionary, and my role as CEO will allow me to focus much more on that aspect, but in no way does it take me away from Scout, add Potts. I want Scout to be successful long after Im gone. Discover Steve Pottss Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Do you think thats part of a larger trend? "You probably could guess who they are," he said with a wink. Finally, its worth considering your own personal preferences when deciding if Scout is the right brand for you. A: I can only speak about the coastal fishing boat market. The South Carolina native and father of three says he has always taken a conservative approach to business. A: Having distinctive features and styling that differentiates us is extremely important. The company was founded by Steve Potts, who is still the owner and president of Scout Boats. Q: How do Scouts hold up for resale? That boat was built for five or six years. The 420 also provides customizable features for its owner, such as custom painted engines and a SureShade integrated retractable awning. That approach enabled Scout to enter the Great Recession debt-free. Because we developed so many new models, we kind of reinvented the company. January 4, 2022. They were in direct competition with AMF. This privacy policy (this Policy) describes the personal information we may collect from you, the purposes for which we collect it, how we use it and when we may share it with third parties. He and his wife, Dianne, founded Scout in 1989, setting up shop in a small brick barn. A: Yes. Scout was founded with a handful of employees and a couple of molds in a small brick building back in 1989 by Steve and his wife Dianne Potts. 2023 Active Interest Media All Rights Reserved, Annual Branded-Content Special Advertising Sections. Additionally, their products undergo rigorous testing to ensure that they meet the highest standards of safety and performance.So, if youre looking for a brand that produces reliable and long-lasting gear, then Scout could be a good option for you. Those companies that do what they do consistently like we do, and a number of other companies that we compete with I think that investment part of making a decision is important. When I was 14 years old, I started working for a dealership in Charleston [S.C.] called the Outboard Shop. For the next six months, we were sort of back where we started. From the materials used to construct each boat to the precision assembly of each component, no detail is overlooked. Theyve got a 3- by 5-inch smartphone that can do 10 times more than you got on a boat, so the boat seems antiquated and dated because its not condensed and user-friendly. There is no simple answer to the question of whether or not Scout is a good brand. It was unlike what most dealers had ever seen before, and there wasnt much competition because it wasnt a typical coastal fishing boat. Share on Twitter The new 50m luxury yacht is a unique project fully realised by Enrico Gobbi - Team for Design. Scout started with him, his wife Dianne and a few workers. Its what we like. Early on, we were scrutinized, especially by our competition, that it was too pretty. If you are wondering how the capitalization of research and experimental (R&E) expenses as defined under IRC Section 174 will affect your company, consult with a tax professional. Thats how we got started. It started 30 years ago when Potts and his wife started Scout Boats out of their garage, only to have to start again when their operation was destroyed just months later by Hurricane Hugo. We developed lots of bigger models that were unique in styling and performance. It was a high-end, high-quality, all-purpose, outboard-powered fishing boat. One thing not to do is basically dont run a good horse to death and not maintain our quality. Some have gotten out of the real big boats and gone to something simpler, which is a big center console versus a great big cruiser or inboard-powered boat. This article originally appeared in the June 2011 issue. He then started selling boats out of the back of his truck and eventually opened up a small dealership. Q: Are you working on any other new boats? Today, were taking a look at where Scout boats are made. LXF for us is luxury fishing vessels. Share on Linked In But I think what makes our industry so unique is that a small company can compete toe to toe with a company thats 10 to 20 times larger. Which one would you choose? Scout Boats was founded by South Carolina-resident Steve Potts - a man that continues to this day to be on the shop floor daily working on the models - back in 1989. We really work hard on this. #F, Living the Lavish Life: Inside Lady Gagas World, Sailing into a Sustainable Future! From the very first 14-footer to the now expansive offering of more than 20 class-leading models ranging from 17'- 42', one of the many consistent items that sets Scout . I am sure these are things that will be addressed. The Nu-V3 hull design is a running surface that we've spent a lot of time on. Q: Youre adding factory space. Scout has revolutionized the coastal fish boat market. We have always been a family owned-and-operated company, and I'm proud to say our Scout family is comprised of both blood and non-blood individuals. View Anastasios Spontis's colleagues in Scout Boats Employee Directory. Economically sound, with recent plant expansion of a new manufacturing building and a custom spray booth. If you do not agree to these terms, do not use the services. They own the land they sit on, the buildings on this land, and even the transportation that delivers the models. He bought a shed plus 13', 14' and 17' molds to begin producing a flats-style boat. Zane Henderson. It allows me to focus on what the next three-, five-, and 10-year plan is for the company.. I personally studied the art of boatbuilding and taught myself how to do it better for 20 years. For instance, Scout boats are designed with fishing in mind.They have plenty of storage space for all your gear, plus livewells and fish boxes that make it easy to keep your catch fresh. I personally studied the art of boatbuilding and taught myself how to do it better for 20 years. Stoicism is a quality most of us dont think much about, but it offers a few good lessons. But the number of players that are in there arent nearly as much as if you look at 20-foot bay boats or 22-foot center consoles, where everybody and their brother has something to offer. My very first boat was one I actually built when I was 14 or 15 - a little Scout with a 25-hp Evinrude on it. We recently had the opportunity to work with Scout Boat customer service when we were considering upgrading our boat.We found them to be extremely helpful and knowledgeable, and they made the entire process easy and stress-free. "For 50 years I've had my hands on my craft, and on building a successful business. Weve also spent a fair amount of money to get some new CNC cutters. Since its inception, back in the 1980s, the name Scout has become renowned for its innovation, attention to detail, and exceptional quality. Your email address will not be published. Were very proud of the fact that there are people out there trying to find a used Scout, and there are not many out there. Look no, Cant get enough What is your dream car? Ive heard you say that Scout is venturing into some larger models. We dont get snow in Charleston, but I think where we were there was 10 inches of accumulation, which is unheard of. It was a pretty bold move for us. Aston Martin unveils its first luxury ho, We cant shake it off, @taylorswift !! Steve Potts, CEO and founder of Scout Boats, is a man with a vision. 29483-9640 United States preferences when deciding if Scout is the right brand for you a fair amount money! Right brand for you Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates luxury yacht is unique... 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