fund razor
Founding Member
I would have to guess that even with this move, greater Detroit still outproduces Washington NC. But it's just a guess.
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Donzi Moving to Washington NC
- Thread starter jeffbare
- Start date
I would have to guess that even with this move, greater Detroit still outproduces Washington NC. But it's just a guess.
poncho
New member
Not that they are bad boats to own--so if you have one don't be offended by my two cents!!!!!
With bean counters obviously running things, moving to cut production costs, etcetera. Can see Donzi producing more mass appeal runabouts like the Regazza again. In short, like the car biz, I'm betting its all about the badge and name Donzi brings to the table over carrying on the legacy of why that badge means something! Badge engineering--well it sucks, but can work well--Time will tell if they'll build boats that carry on the legacy or sell out badge engineering to up sell boats that`have nothing to do with their badge--like a Regazza Donzi in name only!
With bean counters obviously running things, moving to cut production costs, etcetera. Can see Donzi producing more mass appeal runabouts like the Regazza again. In short, like the car biz, I'm betting its all about the badge and name Donzi brings to the table over carrying on the legacy of why that badge means something! Badge engineering--well it sucks, but can work well--Time will tell if they'll build boats that carry on the legacy or sell out badge engineering to up sell boats that`have nothing to do with their badge--like a Regazza Donzi in name only!
Slandrew
New member
Are you talking about employment or boat production
fund razor
Founding Member
Are you talking about employment or boat production
I guess I was talking about everything that factors into making a place qualify to be referred to someplace that "wound up" like Detroit. Loss of jobs, loss of employers, eroded tax base, bad real estate and well... historically speaking, as Michigan pretty much revolves around Detroit, boat production. Perhaps you meant something else. If I misunderstood, I apologize.
My guess was that a reduced capacity or "wound up like" status Detroit/Michigan production level of anything would be more than the total GDP of Washington, NC which has a population around 13,000 people and a per capita income of around $14,000.
I do a lot of business in Detroit. I have never been to Washington NC, so I admit that I could be guessing way off. Washington NC looks very beautiful.
I hope that helps.
Sean Stinson
Founding Member/Contributor
It's kind of funny that the marine industries "Big 3" are being compared to Detroits
"Big 3" ......these 2 Big 3's are Worlds apart!!!!!!!
"Big 3" ......these 2 Big 3's are Worlds apart!!!!!!!
Sean Stinson
Founding Member/Contributor
BTW I just did a job at the Pontiac GM plant whose power plant is now operated by DTE and it is a complete ghost town with everything cannibilized with nothing left but empty buildings and 25000 unemployed from GM alone 90000 for the entire industry from that area!!!!!
Disturbed35cafe
New member
Zactly!!!!
Slandrew
New member
Also there was a lot more than boat building going on @Thunderboat row sad but true!Different state different worldI guess I was talking about everything that factors into making a place qualify to be referred to someplace that "wound up" like Detroit. Loss of jobs, loss of employers, eroded tax base, bad real estate and well... historically speaking, as Michigan pretty much revolves around Detroit, boat production. Perhaps you meant something else. If I misunderstood, I apologize.
My guess was that a reduced capacity or "wound up like" status Detroit/Michigan production level of anything would be more than the total GDP of Washington, NC which has a population around 13,000 people and a per capita income of around $14,000.
I do a lot of business in Detroit. I have never been to Washington NC, so I admit that I could be guessing way off. Washington NC looks very beautiful.
I hope that helps.
Although Detroit, Flint , Pontiac have taen huge hits the industry still employs a bunch of people, example -
The GM tech center alone is home to 16,000 GM engineers, designers, and technicians
ed
fund razor
Founding Member
That's what was on my mind. Not that the damage isn't extensive. Just that the scale was so big that a reduced capacity detroit/michigan is still well, alive. The challenges remain and are great, no question. The Crain's Detroit Business book of lists will be out soon. It's a great reference for who the players still are, numbers of employees, gross sales, etc.
Hopefully things go very well for Donzi in NC.
Hopefully they do or I am out business.
Both Florida factories are small and not getting any younger. Plenty of room at Fountain. Each boat line will remain seperate. No more Baja by Fountain either, just Baja. Look for Donzi to be almost custom, Proline to build performance fish boats, Fountain has already redesigned the fishboats through SKA focus groups. No more rocks and sticks, Liberty seems to be using Lazors. FYI Reggie seems very happy!
Both Florida factories are small and not getting any younger. Plenty of room at Fountain. Each boat line will remain seperate. No more Baja by Fountain either, just Baja. Look for Donzi to be almost custom, Proline to build performance fish boats, Fountain has already redesigned the fishboats through SKA focus groups. No more rocks and sticks, Liberty seems to be using Lazors. FYI Reggie seems very happy!
XT-Innovator
New member
Well having been around boat building so long, I think that when it comes down to a boat that needs to be completed by the end of the day, the Donzi guys will be asked to help the Fountain guys complete the boat, and the reverse. The Baja's will not have balsa coring, or gelcoat graphics to help speed-up and streamline production. Hey, I bet all the decals and models ID's will be on the same shelf in the warehouse. Boat buyers are more brand loyal than in other industries, so I say if your a "Fountain guy" but want a 27' bowrider to make the wife happy, Liberty can grab the 277 Baja Islander molds, and build a boat with Fountain logos all over it! Everybody's Happy!
XT
XT
Team Tsunami
New member
Im not so sure thats even close to being true!!
Slandrew
New member
True:iagree:
38fountainSC
New member
I have been to the plant its not big enough to have all these companies separate. They will have to work together. Couldn't imagine 4 different companies working separately in one building(fountains actually a bunch of separate smaller buildings).
XT-Innovator
New member
It is good to have someone so close to what is going on with all the changes. I worked many years with Blane at Baja, and he really knows the product well, but can you tell us all how many employees currently work for each indvidual company? I think that would give us all a good idea of the size of each company now. Thanks.
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