Bertram Yachts establishes international headquarters in Tampa
July 15, 2016
Legendary American boat builder Bertram Yachts has chosen Tampa as its new home, and is on track to create at least 140 new jobs and invest $35 million in the local market. Bertram chose the Florida city over locations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia as the optimal spot for its new manufacturing facility, which will house the international headquarters, production, yacht service, retrofit and maintenance operations and other functions under one roof.
Bertram Yacht got its start in 1960 when founder Dick Bertram, a yacht broker, bluewater sailing yacht racer, and powerboat racer, built the first Bertram, the 31-foot fiberglass Moppie. The company was acquired in 2015 by Italian industrial conglomerate Gavio Group.
“This announcement signals another exciting chapter in the history of Bertram Yachts,” said Peter Truslow, CEO of Bertram LLC. “We are proud to partner with the State of Florida, Hillsborough County, and the City of Tampa and look forward to building our organization’s future here.”
The yacht builder has taken over a 115,000 square foot existing facility in Tampa just a few miles south of the city’s downtown, making it a perfect destination for yacht owners and their crews from around the world to enjoy the city’s amenities while they are monitoring building and servicing progress on their luxury vessels.
State and local incentives, a skilled and experienced pool of boating industry talent, and a desirable location with an international airport helped seal the deal for Tampa.
Mayor Bob Buckhorn of the City of Tampa said, “We are honored to have one of our nation’s most iconic brands in the boating industry call Tampa home. Bertram recognizes what people around the world are realizing – that this city is on the rise. We are excited to have Bertram with us on this journey, and we will make sure they find the talent and support here that they need to be successful.”
We invite you to read more coverage of the Bertram headquarters relocation from the Tampa Bay Business Journal and the Tampa Bay Times.
