Subscribe to our daily newsletter

Local boat retailer announces move to manufacturing

Jan 28, 2019 | 3:54 PM

A business acqusition announced on Monday could create some large ripples in the water for Prince Albert’s economy.

Tru-North RV, Auto and Marine has purchased Alumarine Boats. Tru-North general manager Ron Bonneau told paNOW the Alumarine Operations will be moved from their current base in Manitoba to the Tru-North location north of Prince Albert.

“We plan on increasing production from there by increasing our dealer network across Canada and then eventually getting into the United States,” he said.

The Alumarine boats, which are a common sight on the lakes in northern Saskatchewan, have been around since 1967. Bonneau said his decision to buy the company came about around a year ago.

“I cannot remember what ad it was but I liked the product so much, we bought them,” he said.

The creation of the new work shop is already well underway. Bonneau said one of the challenges going forward is getting enough aluminum, but he is confident that they will. He added once that’s in place they plan to increase the size of their work force.

“We already have four employees working there and we hope to increase production capacity and employ ten people in the next couple years,” he said.

Bonneau added they have no plans to change the name of the boats or their design.

                                                                                                                               

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell