It is Finally Done! Bladen Composites aquires Albin's assets

[bopalmer]

It has taken quite a bit longer than I had hoped, but we closed on Friday on the acquisition of the Albin Assets, and should be delivering the first boat within the next 2-3 weeks. Everyone on our team is very excited about adding Albin to the family at our Bladen Composites Factory in North Carolina. If any of you happen to be in the neighborhood please stop in a say hello. This is a great site and the loyal following that you have to the product helped us to make the decision to purchase this company. It will take a little while to get everything up to speed, but we should get the new websites up very shortly and then after we are able to get the parts and materials sorted and organized we will be able to have the parts department up and going and should be able to provide better support for your boats that you currently own.

Sincerely,
Bo Palmer
Bladen Composites
http://www.bladencomposites.com

[jcollins]

Great News! Happy to hear that it's done. Wish you all the best.
You have a good following here and prospective buyers are joining every month.
Look forward to having a source for parts.

Thanks for the update.

[Russell]

That is fabulous news. With the economy down and credit so tight it is an unexpected surprise that this deal went through. Congratulations.

[Mariner]

This is great news. I think we're all looking forward to seeing some of these new boats at next year's boat shows.

[Cape Codder]

Fantastic!!!
I look forward to hearing and seeing more..........

[fairtide]

Here's another best wishes message plus an added comment that I posted some time ago. In the absence of convenient dealers, I, for one, will be happy to take questions and maybe a visit, from prospective boat buyers who are located not too far from Westchester Co. in NY.
There may be other Albin owners in other locations who may also wish to guide prospective buyers, and a network could be generated. It may be a first for this type of help for a manufacturer. Owner support is goodwill that is difficult or even impossible to buy and having such an impressive asset creates a win-win situation for the new manufacturer and present owners.

[jcollins]

Fairtide,
Thanks for mentioning that again. I too would be more than happy to entertain questions, provide information, and provide a tour of my Albin. Perhaps we should start a list in a separate forum for prospective buyers.
Someone would have to volunteer to moderate the forum. Not much work but my plate is full.

Your thoughts?

[Elizabeth Ann]

Congrats!

[fairtide]

John's suggestion about forming a separate forum or help message board that would be geared toward having cooperating Albin owners share their experiences with potential buyers of Albin and now Shamrock-made vessels has merit. Access to existing boats and their owners has a good deal of worth, especially in the absence of a dealer network.

It would be a fine idea, of course, to work with the current manufacturer in order to avoid confusion and unintended misrepresentations. Legally, cooperating owners would not represent the manufacturer nor make claims or offers that are not authorized. In short, there would have to be some legal agreement that would protect all interests. We live in a litigious society where even hurt feelings are the basis for large suits.

Since this idea has been put out there for anyone to consider, the ball is really on the manufacturer's side of the court. If there is interest on their part, we can, as the buzzword seems to be, go forward with their guidance and restrictions.

[jcollins]

No claims, no offers, no sales pitch. Just a boat ride with no sales pressure or requirement of a deposit. As mentioned before, I am always looking for another reason to take a ride. Obviously if the guy shows up with fishing rods, 5 friends, and a cooler of beer, I would have to make a decision. The cooler may be o.k., but I'm not out for a fishing trip. All this would be discussed in advance. "You and the wife or a friend, quick run out to the bay and back just to get a feel". "Never owned a boat"? "Perhaps you really should contact a dealer".
I don't know...it was just a thought. The liabillity would be no different than taking anyone out.

[hjonas]

Mr. Palmer,

Congratulations as well. I hope you will spruce up your website and allow for some contact from existing Albin owners. One thing that Albin was really bad at was communicating with owners. They had very poor customer support and once the boat was out their door you were on your own through the dealer. (which in my case was worse). My boat is four years old and I have had few problems if at all. Its a great product and I wish you well in this endevour.

Hank Jonas
2004 TE 28
On-Rush
East Greenwich, RI

[jack Stone]

I hit the Bladen web site in the Albin section. They have this posted in the testimonials section.


Testimonials

Below are some stories we've received from satisfied Albin boat owners. Please tell us your story. We'd love to hear from you!


Not a one.

I guess they missed the offer to help talk up the brand from this group.

[Capt. Bill]

This company does not reply to anything. Looks like they are keeping the Albin tradition alive!

[RicM]

If you look at earlier posts in this thread I think they have been keeping in touch fairly well. Most marine businesses are shut down for vacation this time of year (also see thread on new bolsters), and I'm sure with the economy and credit crunch as it is they are giving the employees all the time off they want.

[NJRobert]

At this point in time, I was wondering if anyone has found out from the new owners, if hull warranty's will be honored. I have a 2007 28TE that was purchased new from the dealer in April 07.