Boats, marine and boating trends

Grady-White Captures Fifth-Time-in-a-Row Highest Ranking in J.D. Power and Associates Study

Grady-White Boats accepted another new trophy from J.D. Power and Associates as the company was ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Coastal Fishing Boats (17 to 28 Feet)*" for the fifth time in a row at the Miami International Boat Show, February 16, 2006. Grady-White continues to receive highest ranking in its segment in every study of customer satisfaction so far conducted in the marine industry."To achieve this ranking even once is an incredible achievement. But to achieve this distinction five times in a row is a strong and undeniable indication that our customers will be very satisfied with their purchases," said Kris Carroll, president of Grady-White.

"Everything we do at Grady-White is keyed on customer wants and needs. Over the years we've put many, many systems in place to ensure that this focus will continue. So in reality this recognition from J.D. Power and Associates is a very powerful statement about what we do and will continue to do. Perhaps best of all, this exciting and very flattering award also keeps us and our associates, dealers and vendors enthusiastic about doing that job superbly year after year," Carroll continued.

"Grady-White has received the highest ranking from J.D. Power and Associates five times in a row, and no one else in the Coastal Fishing Boats segment can say that," added Doug Gomes, Grady-White senior vice president. "In fact, every third-party measure of customer satisfaction ever taken in our category to our knowledge has ranked Grady-White at the top. This includes the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) CSI customer satisfaction awards which we received for model years 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. We are certainly on track to receive that distinction again in 2006.

"We have always recognized that consumer expectations of quality are a significant part of the buying decision and of an owner's perception of value, so we engineer each boat with exacting attention to quality along with a special emphasis on execution, sweating the details and a passion for customer satisfaction in everything we do," Gomes continued.

J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information firm that represents the voice of the consumer. The company is well known for customer satisfaction studies in the automotive industry. NMMA is the largest boat builder association in the world, conducting boat shows, customer satisfaction studies and many other activities for the recreational marine industry.

*J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Boat Competitive Information Studies.SM Study based on responses from a total of 12,255 owners of 2004 and 2005 model year boats registered between June 1, 2004 and May 31, 2005. Includes fiberglass center console, dual console and walkaround fishing boats from 17 to 28 feet, usually outboard powered. www.jdpower.com/cc

Source: Grady-White Boats