MALIBU BOATS AUSTRALIA ACQUIRED BY PARENT AMERICAN BOAT COMPANY

In big news for the Australian ski and wakeboat industry, Malibu Boats Australia has announced that it is being acquired by its American parent

• Malibu Boats Australia acquired by Malibu US parent company

• “Business as usual” says Malibu Boats Australia director

• Malibu to “absolutely continue to build boats” in Australia

In big news for the Australian ski and wakeboat industry, Malibu Boats Australia has announced that it is being acquired by its American parent company, Malibu Boats (US).

Speaking exclusively to Trade-a-Boat, director of Malibu Boats Australia Xavier West said the acquisition by Malibu Boats US would result in a global unification of the popular brand.

“The important message from us, is that it’s business as usual,” West told Trade-a-Boat.

“The boats are built for Australians by Australians and that will continue.”

In town recently for the Sydney International Boat Show and to assist in the transition of this significant move by the Malibu Boats brand, United States CEO Jack Springer explained the original license agreement for Malibu Australia that began in the early ‘90s allowed the local factory to build the boats they wanted – to suit Australian conditions.

He said the new arrangement would not change this, but instead create a stronger marketing connection between the US and local Malibu brands.

“Will we continue to build boats here? Yes, absolutely,” Springer said.

“Xavier has built a great team, the dealers are phenomenal, and when you have a great factory with great dealers and great product, there’s no reason to change that.

“What we are going to do is look for Australia to not only grow, but we think it’s important for Australians to be able to buy a boat that is built here.

“Also, as we continue our aggressive growth plan in Asia, there may be a time when we’re building all the boats for Asia in Australia as well, therefore expanding both markets.”

BOATS BUILT IN AUSTRALIA

Malibu Boats Australia turned out around 300 wake and ski boats in the past 12 months for tow enthusiasts in Australia and New Zealand.

For the recent Sydney International Boat Show, Malibu Australia released the 2014 23LSV Wakesetter and the affordable Axis Wake Research T22.

Both West and Springer believe the core of Malibu’s success as a brand in Australia has been building the boats local customers demand. “One of the reasons Malibu Australia have been so successful, is they’re building boats right here,” Springer said

“The customer can find exactly the type of boat they want, and get it very quickly.

“If they’re building boats in the US like competitors do and then shipping to Australia , you can’t get what you want and it takes two or three months to acquire that boat.”