Yanmar has acquired Boatswain’s Locker, its long-standing marine distributor for the western United States, as part of a plan to expand dealer coverage, servicing and customer support in the region.
Founded in 1939, Boatswain’s Locker has acted as Yanmar Marine International’s exclusive servicing distributor across California, Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Hawaii. The business will work with Mastry Engine Center as Yanmar develops its US recreational marine operations.
The acquisition is intended to bring product development, sales and aftersales support closer to US boatbuilders, dealers and owners. It also adds Boatswain’s Locker to Yanmar’s international network of more than 2,000 authorised dealers in over 130 countries.
Boatswain’s Locker also distributes Vetus products. Vetus forms part of Yanmar’s Marine Recreational Business Unit alongside Maxwell, Flexofold and Smartgyro.
Integration and coordination
Robert Apted will remain president of Boatswain’s Locker to oversee integration and coordination between the two businesses.
“It builds on our strong partnership, aligns with our strategic direction, and supports our shared ambitions for future growth,” said Wouter-Jan van der Wurff, president and chief executive of Yanmar’s Marine Recreational Business Unit.
Kevin Carlan, Yanmar’s director of Americas business, said bringing the distributor into the group would strengthen support for owners, dealers and builders across the western US.
Apted added: “We can combine our local knowledge, trusted dealer relationships, and service expertise with the strength of the wider Yanmar Marine Recreational Business Unit.”
