Marine Business Advisors, Consulting, Boatyards, Marinas

Bronstien honored for achievements by Marine Industries Association

jimb — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:26:15 +0000

Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc. presents the

11^th Annual Beacon of Light Awards

Honorees include Riviera Beach Councilwoman Dawn Pardo,

Old Port Cove Holdings and Jim Bronstien

For more information contact Alyssa Freeman at (561) 863-0012 or mia@marinepbc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RIVIERA BEACH, FL (March 6, 2012) –Each year, the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc. (MIAPBC) proudly recognizes three outstanding individuals and organizations as recipients of the MIAPBC Beacon of Light Awards for their unfailing support of the county’s marine industry. The awards will be presented March 21 at The Lake Pavilion in downtown West Palm Beach, amidst the 27th Annual Palm Beach International Boat Show.

The Beacon of Light Awards are awarded in three categories: Marine Advocate of the Year awarded to Riviera Beach Councilwoman Dawn Pardo; Marine Project of the Year awarded to Old Port Cove Holdings; and Member of the Year awarded to Jim Bronstien.

Marine Advocate of the Year is presented to an individual, group, or organization whose work is recognized with our mission as supporting, promoting, and protecting the sound growth of the marine industry in Palm Beach County for the benefit and education of the boating public and the environment.

Riviera Beach Councilwoman Dawn Pardo is awarded Marine Advocate of the Year for recognizing and working toward increasing awareness of the economic values and impact of the marine industries in Palm Beach County and City of Riviera Beach. She understands the balance between the environmental needs of our coastal communities and the economic needs of the businesses that rely on the water as an economic engine.

Councilwoman Pardo moved Riviera Beach toward developing a brand-new city marina, which is now under construction. She has worked diligently to assist Rybovich in creating a new superyacht facility at 20th Street in Riviera Beach, and has led the effort to approve funding to remove derelict vessels from the Lake Worth Lagoon. She successfully developed an incentive grant program to businesses located within the CRA in Riviera Beach – most of which are marine businesses – and is working toward creating a Marine Mile to extend from south of 45th Street in West Palm Beach to 24th Street in Riviera Beach.

Councilwoman Pardo sits on the board of directors for the Palm Beach County League of Cities, working diligently on the 2012 agenda to make the marine industries an economic development priority. She also requested and was appointed to the Florida League of Cities Environmental Resource Committee; was appointed to represent the League of Cities on the Palm Beach County Lagoon Initiatives Steering Committee; and has participated as a judge for the Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade for the past four years.

Based on these achievements and more, the MIAPBC is pleased to recognize Councilwoman Dawn Pardo as an elected official and community leader who has taken the initiative to understand the importance and impact of the marine industry to Palm Beach County and Florida.

Marine Project of the Yearis awarded to the person or organization that initiated, is responsible for, defended, promoted, or otherwise supported a project that enhances boating opportunities in the Palm Beaches. The award is presented to Old Port Cove Holdings.

Old Port Cove Holdings will receive the Beacon of Light Award for past and ongoing upgrades to all three of their marina facilities: Old Port Cove Marina, North Palm Beach Marina, and New Port Cove Marine Center.

Located on a 60-acre peninsula just off U.S. Highway 1, Old Port Cove Marina is the first megayacht facility of its kind in Palm Beach County. Its two basins, north and south, each received a complete facelift, starting with the smaller $7 million renovation of the north basin in 2007, followed by a $15 million project at the south basin. The marina was built in the early 1970s using fixed concrete piers, but after 35 years of wear and sustaining hurricane damage, a rebuild was necessary. The two-year, $22 million project, completed in November 2008, rounded out Old Port Cove Holdings’ triplet of recently renovated state-of-the-art marinas in Palm Beach County. Old Port Cove is now in the process of enhancing the upland amenities with a new dining facility, fitness center, crew lounge facility, pool, restroom, and showers, accompanied by a new office to better serve its boating clients. “We’re all looking forward to these new and exciting amenities in the fall of 2012,” said Richard Morgan, Old Port Cove Holdings’ CEO.

North Palm Beach Marina was the first of Old Port Cove Holdings’ marinas to be renovated in summer 2002. The $4 million project included floating docks, in-slip pumpout service, and new fire equipment.

Between 2003 and 2006, Old Port Cove Holdings renovated its dry stack facility, New Port Cove Marine Center, to increase the size of boats it could store. Heavier racks were added, two new forklifts were purchased for moving bigger and heavier boats, and their staging area was increased from 100 feet to twin 100-foot staging areas. New Port Cove Marine Center’s $3 million renovation increased its wet slips from 15 to 43, adding fixed docks in 2003 and floating docks in 2006. Like the other two facilities, New Port Cove Marine Center also received a new fuel dock, fire equipment, pumpout service, and landscaping.

All three marinas have been designated Clean Marinas by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. After nearly eight years of renovations and a $29 million investment, Old Port Cove Holdings’ state-of-the-art facilities have set the bar for marina excellence in Palm Beach County.

MIAPBC Member of the Year is Jim Bronstien. Jim is a founding member and past president of the MIAPBC (1991-1992). He has been a board member for the MIAPBC on and off for more than 20 years, and is always asked to return and serve because he brings a lot to the table in terms of his vast knowledge of the industry and the MIAPBC.

Jim has helped the MIAPBC build and maintain relationships with several key people and agencies in the county as owner and president of Rybovich from 1984 until 2004; a former board member of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida; past president of the American Boat Builders and Repairer’s Association; co-creator of the International Marina and Boatyard Conference; past president of SunFest of Palm Beach County; former board chairman of the Palm Beach County Film Commission; board chairman for the American Red Cross – Palm Beach Chapter; and senior board member of the Palm Beach County Tourist Development Council. Currently, Jim is president of Marine Business Advisors where he continues to use his vast knowledge of the marine industry, both foreign and domestic, to enhance the boating experience for both the industry and the private boater.

Jim is also being awarded for his efforts in overseeing and helping to expand what is now the Palm Beach International Boat Show by bringing in Show Management to produce the show. He never hesitates to step up to the plate when he is asked to take on any task, and his insight is invaluable. The MIAPBC looks forward to having Jim as an officer on the board of directors, serving as its secretary/treasurer beginning in May.

Please join the MIAPBC in congratulating all of its 2012 Beacon of Light Award recipients and thanking them for their support of this important industry.

The Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc. represents the more than 800 marine-related businesses in Palm Beach County that have an annual economic impact of approximately $1.5 billion in our community. MIAPBC is a not-for-profit organization created to promote and protect the sound growth of the marine industry in Palm Beach County for the benefit and education of its members, the community, and the environment. For more information, call 561-863-0012.

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Brazilian Group Engages Marine Business Advisors

jimb — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:28:39 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jim Bronstien

561-346-9580, jimb@marineba.com

Brazilian Marina Group expands into South Florida

Selects Marine Business Advisors to assist in marina acquisitions and operations

Miami, FL – (February 1, 2012) – BR Marinas, a highly successful marina holding company from Brazil, has chosen Marine Business Advisors as their key consultant to aid them in identifying, acquiring and operating marinas in South Florida. The influx of 300,000 Brazilians into the Miami area has opened up numerous opportunities and having a portfolio of marinas in the area that can cater to such a group is inevitable.

“Our Brazilian population in the South Florida area is quite large and we all enjoy boating and the boating lifestyle, so it is our goal to work with Jim Bronstien to acquire and operate marinas here to meet the demands of my Brazilian friends”, says Antonio Lobato, principal of BR Marinas in Brazil. “Jim is very well known and respected in the South Florida Marine Industry and I have the same reputation in Brazil, so it makes perfect sense to work together to obtain and operate marinas and service facilities in South Florida.”

Lobato is principal of BR Marinas, the leading marina group in all of Brazil. For over 10 years, Lobato and his family have owned and operated numerous marina and service facilities in Brazil with over 5000 slips under their control.

For more information on BR Marinas, visit www.brmarinas.com.br

For more information on Marine Business Advisors, visit www.marineba.com

Teak Deck Company to use Marine Business Advisors to help with awareness

jimb — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:09:01 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: JT Tuomela

561-308-5713, jt@teakdeckcompany.com

Contact: Jim Bronstien

561-346-9580, jimb@marineba.com

“Teak Deck Company” is all about Teak Decks

Selects Marine Business Advisors to assist in business expansion

JUPITER, FL – (December 12, 2011) – Teak Deck Company, a Jupiter, Florida based company, today announced the selection of Marine Business Advisors as their key consultant to aid them in growing their business. The opportunity for increased market share in the teak deck market is very apparent for a quality company and Teak Deck Company, a 15-year-old business, is poised for new growth.

“Our capabilities for installing new or replacement teak decks are quite extensive for boats from 25’ up to 150’ and we want more of the industry to know who we are and what we can do. Marine Business Advisors, is the perfect complement to aid us in our endeavor,” said JT Tuomela, president of Teak Deck Company. “Real teak is still the best product for decks and this is what we do. It’s all that we do, so we know our trade very well.”

Marine Business Advisors has been guiding and advising marine businesses for the past 7 years and has established itself as a high demand consultancy business for both long and short-term assignments for all facets of the industry. Jim Bronstien, as principal, has been a well-known industry executive for the past 25 years, many as the former owner and President of Rybovich. In addition to his role with Marine Business Advisors, he is also a principal shareholder and board chairman for Saunders Yachtworks in Gulf Shores, Alabama and the principal of a brand new boat rental business in Costa Rica. Bronstien is also a frequent speaker at industry events and an active member of numerous marine industry and community boards.

Teak Deck Company, based in Jupiter Florida, has been fabricating and installing teak decks on boats since 1997. Owned and operated by the highly skilled Finnish native JT Tuomela and his family, Teak Deck Company fabricates and sells ready to install teak decking for boat manufacturers, boat owners and professional contractors at very competitive prices with exceptional quality.

Their teak wood is 100% hand selected vertical grain with their own custom brand of teak deck caulking resulting in a longer life and better appearance and durability than the competition. Custom installations, prefabricated panel or standard panels are all available thru Teak Deck Company.

For more information on Teak Deck Company, visit www.teakdeckcompany.com

For more information on Marine Business Advisors, visit www.marineba.com

BRONSTIEN OPENS FIRST BOAT RENTAL BUSINESS IN COSTA RICA

Jim Bronstien — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 19:53:51 +0000

West Palm Beach, Florida… (OCTOBER 19, 2011)… Jim Bronstien, owner of Marine Business Advisors, has started the first boat rental company in all of Costa Rica. “Tres Ninàs Boat Rental” will be based out of Marina Pez Vela Marina in Quepos, Costa Rica and will begin operations in January.

Despite numerous charter fishing boats, jet ski tours, and catamaran sightseeing cruises, until now, there has been no way for locals or tourists to simply rent a boat for the day and experience the unusually flat waters of Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast.

“As one of the initial development partners with the creation of the first phase of Marina Pez Vela marina, I continuously saw the demand for renting boats. While boat rental is a very common business here in the U.S. and Bahamas and elsewhere, this is not so common in other countries. After looking further into the business model and the requirements, I was able to initiate the business during the past several months and in January 2012 we will have our first boats ready to rent”, says Bronstien.

25’ center console Dusky boats with single engine Suzuki engines are being shipped down and a local bi-lingual staff is ready to provide a new boat business to the area. Boats will be available either with or without a captain, based on the preference of the renter and familiarity with the area. Fishing, sightseeing, cruising, and diving are all available by renting boats thru Tres Ninàs Boat Rental.

Bronstien, thru his company Marine Business Advisors, is considered a leader and visionary in the boat business. With a specialized focus on marina and boatyard operations, Marine Business Advisor’s ability to apply Bronstien’s extensive knowledge in practical and real life ways has helped numerous companies succeed thru these turbulent times.

Bronstien named Chairman of Saunders

jimb — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 13:02:32 +0000

PRESS RELEASE

Jim Bronstien Named Chairman of the Board for Saunders Yachtworks

Brand new 12 acre boatyard opening in Spring 2012 adds to the excitement

June 3, 2011, Gulf Shores, Alabama– Andrew Saunders, founder of Saunders Yachtworks and longtime Chairman of the premier service yard in the Gulf Coast, today announced the appointment of board member Jim Bronstien as the new Chairman of the Board. John Fitzgerald continues as President and CEO of the firm.

Mr. Saunders is retiring after 36 years in the role, having guided the company through a long and successful history. “I could not be happier than to turn over the reins of this company to Jim”, says Andrew Saunders. “He is a great friend and source of guidance over the years. He will be an outstanding Chairman. I know Saunders Yachtworks will be in good hands as we move into the next phase of this business.”

Jim Bronstien is a 27 year South Florida Marine Industry veteran. He serves on several industry boards and is a frequent speaker at numerous industry functions. Jim is best known by many as the former Owner and President of Rybovich of West Palm Beach, Florida where he was CEO/owner for over 21 years before selling the company in 2004. Since then, thru his company Marine Business Advisors, he has been engaged with numerous yacht-related businesses in either an advisory or partnership role. His extensive experience in the yacht service industry fits perfectly for Saunders as they complete the final stages of a major expansion by building a brand new boatyard in Gulf Shores, Alabama directly located on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. This new facility, being built on 12 acres of Baldwin County property, with Federal grant assistance, will be able to service vessels in or out of the water up to 125’ with a 150 ton Travelift combined with an in-water service basin with deep water access to the Gulf.

“Having served on the board of Saunders Yachtworks for past four years, I know the company and the challenges. Andrew has worked tirelessly to position this company for strong growth and future success with the new Gulf Shores location, says Mr. Bronstien.” I feel privileged to continue his good work. Along with President and CEO John Fitzgerald and our experienced management and service team, we are ready and excited to move the company to the next level.”

With a 50+ year tradition of integrity and performance in marine repair, Saunders Yachtworks has facilities in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama. The company has already established itself as the premier marine service provider on the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico serving the yacht and high speed commercial craft markets. Its brand new 150 ton boatyard is scheduled to open in Spring 2012 in Gulf Shores. Saunders Yachtworks is a full-service operation, with a commitment to provide in-house solutions to customers’ needs.

Contact:

John Fitzgerald Jim Bronstien Andrew Saunders

jfitzgerald@saundersyacht.com jimb@marinaba.com asaunders@saundersengine.com

251 981 3700 561 346-9580 251 583 4240

Bronstien Presents Management Programs in Maine and Orlando

Jim Bronstien — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:39:23 +0000

West Palm Beach, Florida… (November 15, 2010)… Jim Bronstien, owner of Marine Business Advisors was recently recruited to teach the latest Marine Service Management (MSM) program for a group of service and boatyard managers in Rockland, Maine, and then present a session on financial management at the annual Marine Dealers Conference and Expo (MDCE) in Orlando.

The MSM program, created by the American Boatbuilder’s and Repairer’s Association (ABBRA) has been presented to numerous service and boatyard managers around the country and in Australia. Bronstien has been the key instructor at these programs and most recently led the latest program in Rockport, Maine. Topics include estimating, financial management, warranty and insurance work and discussion and training thru a case study exercise.

At this year’s annual Marine Dealer’s Conference and Expo in Orlando, Bronstien was tapped to present a targeted session on Financial Management for service managers. Widely attended, this session was considered one of the top presentations at the entire conference.

Bronstien, thru his company Marine Business Advisors, is considered a leader in the field of boatyard and marine operations. His ability to apply his knowledge in practical and real life ways has helped numerous companies succeed thru these turbulent times.

Bronstien featured in Soundings Trade

Jim Bronstien — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:15:52 +0000

Bronstien featured in Soundings Trade – Click Here

Marina Pez Vela in Costa Rica Opens Phase 1

Jim Bronstien — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:38:48 +0000

100 slips and full amenities now available

Quepos, Costa Rica – July 15, 2010 –Designed and owned by sportfishing enthusiasts, Marina Pez Vela opens its first phase of a major marina development with 100 slips and full amenities now available to boats from 35’ up to 200’. Located along the Pacific Coast, Quepos, Costa Rica is considered one of the best areas in the world for sportfishing and Marina Pez Vela now opens up thousands of miles of ocean that was nearly impossible to fish previously.

“We are incredibly excited about the marina’s opening,” states partner Jim Bronstien. “It has been a long process to get to this point, but as only the third full service marina project in the entire country, it has been well worth the wait. And with the boatyard and completion of the other 200 slips schedule to be done by the end of 2011, we will have one of the world’s finest marina facilities found anywhere.”

With floating concrete docks being built by Bellingham Marine and featuring one of the most sophisticated breakwaters ever built for a recreational marina, Marina Pez Vela now offers all the necessities for luxury boating and serious sport fishing:

100 out of 300 concrete floating slips now able to accommodate boats from 35 to 200 feet
Calm waters and short distances to the finest offshore and inshore fishing in all of Central America
Fully stocked marine store on site
Diesel and gasoline with regular and high speed pumps
On-site Customs and Immigration offices to assist with entering and leaving the country
24-hour security
Clean electrical power, ample fresh water, high speed Wi-Fi Internet access
Concierge services
Walking distance to area shops and restaurants in downtown Quepos
6 miles to area luxury hotels and the famed Manuel Antonio park
Direct and frequent 20 minute commercial air access from San Jose, Costa Rica

The marina slips are available both for sale of for rent. Future phases of this project include 200 additional slips, creation of a boatyard with 80 and 200 ton Travelifts, and a landside development featuring condominiums, retail space, and a hotel.

For more information, visit www.marinapezvela.com or call 866-PEZ-VELA.

MBA Performs Operational Due Diligence On Major String of Boatyards

Jim Bronstien — Wed, 05 May 2010 20:38:05 +0000

West Palm Beach, Florida… (May 15, 2010)… Marine Business Advisors was hired to perform an exhaustive operational due diligence on a major grouping of unnamed boatyards for a potential acquisition by a larger unnamed corporation. This intense project focused on physical site visits to a number of boatyards located in the U.S. and included analysis of staffing, operational flow, financial results, physical business, equipment uses, and other operating characteristics of these businesses.

While confidential in nature, this project was very successful allowing the client to make intelligent and factual decisions as to its potential acquisition. Due to the magnitude of the project, additional team members from marina and environmental specialty consulting companies were added to supplement the due diligence process.

Marine Business Advisors is considered a leader in the field of boatyard operations and consulting.

Marina Mile Assn.: Jim Bronstien featured speaker

Jim Bronstien — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:37:34 +0000

MONTHLY BREAKFAST MEETING, THURSDAY, FEB. 18TH, 2010

They say when you want to really know what’s going on in your industry, ask a successful person! So I asked our good friend JIM BRONSTIEN, 25-year successful South Florida Marine Industry veteran, now owner of Marine Business Advisors, to speak to you at our upcoming breakfast meeting. Jim is the former owner of Rybovich in West Palm Beach who sold after 21 years to the Huizenga family in 2004. For the past five years he has partnered with numerous marine businesses (you can read all about them at the meeting-along with his impressive resume)-and now has a consulting firm specializing in assisting marine oriented businesses with organizational, operational, and business development issues. Sound like your business could use him? A seasoned public speaker at marine functions, he recently told the International BoatBuilders Conference about what the “new normal” will be in the “post-recession era” and spoke about boatyard economics in an evolving world. Come learn how to survive these changes and position your company for success.

MARGARET CROXTON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Phone: 954-494-1900
E-mail: croxtonma@aol.com