Bertram Yachts waterfront facility in Florida

Description

**Bertram Yachts** new headquarters is an existing 120,000-square-foot shipyard and marine service facility on Tampa Bay.

Bertram Yachts said today that it acquired a waterfront facility on Florida Gulf Coast where it not only can build new Bertram yachts, but also fulfill its customers service and refit needs throughout the life cycle of their vessels.

The **new Bertram World Headquarters** is an existing 120,000-square-foot shipyard and marine service facility at 5250 W. Tyson Ave. in Tampa, immediately south of the Gandy Bridge on Tampa Bay.

“This plant, which already has been operating as a full-service marine facility for decades, is perfect for Bertram in so many ways, Bertram Yachts CEO Peter Truslow said in a statement.

“It will allow us to create a complete Bertram manufacturing and service center in one of America most popular year-round boating destinations. The facility has a great layout, with 40-foot-high buildings and high-tech fiberglass construction equipment already in place that we can utilize to build our new Bertram 35 and larger models. In fact, production of Bertram 35 Hull No. 3 already is underway in Tampa, and the first Bertram 60 will start construction here later this year.

By investing in the Tampa facility, Italian industrial corporation Gavio Group delivered on a strategic vision it has held for the builder since it acquired the Bertram brand in 2015.

“From the beginning, my idea was to start in Maine and then move Bertram to Florida  my first choice was Florida, said Beniamino Gavio, who leads the group yacht brands, including Baglietto, Bertram and Cantieri Cerri.

“We believe that Bertram belongs to this country. The Bertram team is an American team, and they know the market very well. Bertram started in Miami, and we want to keep Bertram in Florida in order to preserve the connection with its history.

Bertram new world headquarters fronts directly on Tampa Bay, with a depth of 14 feet at the dock, allowing the builder to sea-trial and deliver new Bertrams to customers 365 days a year. Its footprint encompasses a service center capable of hauling, servicing, painting, repowering and refitting a wide variety of vessels, ranging from small sportfishing boats to superyachts.

“We have two Travelifts, including one that is capable of hauling yachts up to 120 feet in length. The service operation already has jobs booked for boats from 35 to 100 feet, Truslow said.

“This area also has a world-class marine infrastructure. So many of our key suppliers are nearby, including Michael Peters, designer of the new Bertram 35 and 60. There are many talented boatbuilders and service technicians on the Gulf Coast, as well.

*Although Bertram Yachts already has filled some key positions on its manufacturing and service teams, Truslow said,*

**“Were here and were hiring.**

Gavio, Truslow, vice president Earl Blackwell and CFO Francesco Reisoli are developing a business plan for Bertram that will include continuing investment to keep the plant on the cutting edge of boatbuilding technology and the service facility in line with the needs of Bertram customers.

“Today, the company is a new company, Gavio said. “We are working on a five- to six-year plan, and we must see every day what the customers want.

BERTRAM YACHTS
===================