logadmin
09-13-2007, 11:10 AM
<p><img src="/pub/LuhrsLogoHRWhite.gif" width="300" height="107"></p>
<p>Hello to all of you current and prospective Luhrs owners!</p>
<p>My name is Jim Krueger and I am writing this to let you know that I have taken over as Head of the Luhrs Sales and Marketing Department effective immediately. Some of you may remember me from the past, as I started with Luhrs Corporation twelve and a half years ago as Director of Sales and Marketing. During my tenure with the company, I have had the privilege of working with a lot of talented people to design, engineer and manufacture as well as sell Luhrs Sport Fishing boats to boat owners such as you throughout the world. I have enjoyed the interaction with Luhrs owners at various rendezvous, boat shows and dealer open houses. But let me digress into my work history in more detail for those of you who do not know me.</p>
<p>I am 55; born in Oconto Falls, WI, have an Associates Degree in Industrial and Architectural Model Building, which led me in to a career spanning over thirty-five years to date in the Marine Industry. My first job at Cruisers, Inc. focused on engineering and bill of materials items, which led into sales and marketing. Over the years I have worked for Sea Ray, Bertram Yachts and the sister company Trojan Yacht, Tollycraft, Shamrock and Luhrs/Mainship. In each case I have been deeply involved in the evolution of all phases of the product and how it is used on the water. </p>
<p>My first year here was devoted to Luhrs, and then years two and three were split between Luhrs and Mainship Sales and Marketing responsibilities. In year four, we decided to separate the two sales efforts so each could focus on serving their respective dealer and customer base. I chose to work on the Trawler program and John Sejeck was promoted to lead the Luhrs program. Thanks to the efforts of many people and the boat buying public, Mainship is now the largest Trawler Manufacturer in the world. Since David Taylor has moved on, I will assume Luhrs Sales and Marketing responsibilities in addition to my charge as VP of Mainship Operations. Experienced Luhrs Regional Sales Managers Don Smith, Ken Stofflet and Sales Coordinator Elanda Floyd will continue to assist Luhrs Dealers and Customers. We will be working hand in hand with Roger Yarborough, VP of Operations for Luhrs who is also an experienced manufacturing and marketing pro in the Marine Industry. Roger was previously with Luhrs for nine years from 1985 through 1995.</p>
<p>And now, I’d like to comment on rumors circulating about Luhrs.</p>
<p>1 – Luhrs in not about to be sold to Brunswick or Ferretti.</p>
<p>2 – Luhrs is not going out of business; boat sales are soft for all boat companies. To address this business climate, we made the decision to continue CNC wood shop operations in Midway and transfer the 34 Pilot and Trawler production to the St Augustine plant, reducing our cost of doing business, while keeping the Midway plant until higher production is needed.</p>
<p>In the last year alone, Luhrs has introduced the 35 Convertible, now introducing the 31 IPS model and is working on a 35 Open, while Mainship introduced the 43 Trawler and Pilot. Mainship is just introducing new two staterooms, two head versions of the Trawler and Pilot along with a new 31 Pilot in December of this year. You don’t make this kind of investment in new models unless you are financially strong.</p>
<p>3 – All of the early 41 Convertible owners were contacted and most where happy with the construction and handling characteristics of their boats despite what a couple of guys are saying. Because a few were not, Luhrs authorized a recall notice and has gone out to fix those boats. We have been sued by one current owner and the courts will decide where it goes from here.</p>
<p>4 – The latest posting on the hull truth is that Warren Luhrs is getting a boat slip for a boat other than a Luhrs and they are suggesting it might be a Bertram. The connotation is that there is something sinister going on here – get a life. Warren is a world-class sailor and enjoys the Mainship cruising life style. We have built three boats for him over the last six years and the latest is a 30-foot “Legend” built by Mainship.</p>
<p>I will be monitoring the Luhrs site as I do the Mainship site to stay in contact with our owners and keep the discussions to facts, not rumors.</p>
<p>Yours truly,</p>
<p><img src="/pub/879562321.JPG" width="250" height="150"></p>
<p>Jim Krueger </p>
<p>Hello to all of you current and prospective Luhrs owners!</p>
<p>My name is Jim Krueger and I am writing this to let you know that I have taken over as Head of the Luhrs Sales and Marketing Department effective immediately. Some of you may remember me from the past, as I started with Luhrs Corporation twelve and a half years ago as Director of Sales and Marketing. During my tenure with the company, I have had the privilege of working with a lot of talented people to design, engineer and manufacture as well as sell Luhrs Sport Fishing boats to boat owners such as you throughout the world. I have enjoyed the interaction with Luhrs owners at various rendezvous, boat shows and dealer open houses. But let me digress into my work history in more detail for those of you who do not know me.</p>
<p>I am 55; born in Oconto Falls, WI, have an Associates Degree in Industrial and Architectural Model Building, which led me in to a career spanning over thirty-five years to date in the Marine Industry. My first job at Cruisers, Inc. focused on engineering and bill of materials items, which led into sales and marketing. Over the years I have worked for Sea Ray, Bertram Yachts and the sister company Trojan Yacht, Tollycraft, Shamrock and Luhrs/Mainship. In each case I have been deeply involved in the evolution of all phases of the product and how it is used on the water. </p>
<p>My first year here was devoted to Luhrs, and then years two and three were split between Luhrs and Mainship Sales and Marketing responsibilities. In year four, we decided to separate the two sales efforts so each could focus on serving their respective dealer and customer base. I chose to work on the Trawler program and John Sejeck was promoted to lead the Luhrs program. Thanks to the efforts of many people and the boat buying public, Mainship is now the largest Trawler Manufacturer in the world. Since David Taylor has moved on, I will assume Luhrs Sales and Marketing responsibilities in addition to my charge as VP of Mainship Operations. Experienced Luhrs Regional Sales Managers Don Smith, Ken Stofflet and Sales Coordinator Elanda Floyd will continue to assist Luhrs Dealers and Customers. We will be working hand in hand with Roger Yarborough, VP of Operations for Luhrs who is also an experienced manufacturing and marketing pro in the Marine Industry. Roger was previously with Luhrs for nine years from 1985 through 1995.</p>
<p>And now, I’d like to comment on rumors circulating about Luhrs.</p>
<p>1 – Luhrs in not about to be sold to Brunswick or Ferretti.</p>
<p>2 – Luhrs is not going out of business; boat sales are soft for all boat companies. To address this business climate, we made the decision to continue CNC wood shop operations in Midway and transfer the 34 Pilot and Trawler production to the St Augustine plant, reducing our cost of doing business, while keeping the Midway plant until higher production is needed.</p>
<p>In the last year alone, Luhrs has introduced the 35 Convertible, now introducing the 31 IPS model and is working on a 35 Open, while Mainship introduced the 43 Trawler and Pilot. Mainship is just introducing new two staterooms, two head versions of the Trawler and Pilot along with a new 31 Pilot in December of this year. You don’t make this kind of investment in new models unless you are financially strong.</p>
<p>3 – All of the early 41 Convertible owners were contacted and most where happy with the construction and handling characteristics of their boats despite what a couple of guys are saying. Because a few were not, Luhrs authorized a recall notice and has gone out to fix those boats. We have been sued by one current owner and the courts will decide where it goes from here.</p>
<p>4 – The latest posting on the hull truth is that Warren Luhrs is getting a boat slip for a boat other than a Luhrs and they are suggesting it might be a Bertram. The connotation is that there is something sinister going on here – get a life. Warren is a world-class sailor and enjoys the Mainship cruising life style. We have built three boats for him over the last six years and the latest is a 30-foot “Legend” built by Mainship.</p>
<p>I will be monitoring the Luhrs site as I do the Mainship site to stay in contact with our owners and keep the discussions to facts, not rumors.</p>
<p>Yours truly,</p>
<p><img src="/pub/879562321.JPG" width="250" height="150"></p>
<p>Jim Krueger </p>