OUTSTANDING LARGE Business of the Year honors were presented in a surprise announcement Thursday, Jan. 7, to Crest Marine co-owners Patrick May and Patrick Fenton by Chemical Bank Community President Craig Bishop.
Gathered were: (from left, front row): David Hood; Barb Nagengast of Chemical Bank; Tim Jenc; Crest Marine co-owners Patrick May and Patrick Fenton; Craig Bishop of Chemical Bank; Brent Jones of the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnerhips; Mark Hudson; Don Levi of Chemical Bank; and SEDP President/CEO Justin Horvath. Sitting in the boat were Crest Marine employees (from left): Kyvan Abbott, Jordan Wood and Stephen Locker.
Crest Marine co-owner Patrick Fenton said, “I’m clearly honored by this award. But all the employees deserve this award. They work their tails off every day. It’s about them.”
Fenton also added that plans are in the works for the company to add on a new building. Part of the building will be for manufacturing and part of it will be for prototype/design. Construction is expected to begin within 6 to 8 months. (Independent Photo/MELISSA SHEPARD)
Crest Marine of Owosso Charter Township is this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Large Business Award, said presenting sponsor Chemical Bank during a surprise presentation Thursday morning at the plant on S. Delaney at M-52.
The business was selected for outstanding growth in both employment and sales in 2015. Crest Marine LLC is a boat manufacturer that makes Crest Pontoons. The company began operations in Owosso in 1957 as Maurell Products, whose owner Maurice Shell, ran the company for almost 50 years. In 2010, the company was purchased by a small group of businessmen and renamed Crest Marine. The company’s leadership includes CEO Patrick Fenton and CFO Patrick May.
The company has produced tens of thousands of pontoon boats over the more than 60 years of boat building. Currently, Crest Marine sells five different levels of pontoon boats as well as custom commercial pontoon boats.
The five retail pontoon boats, starting with lowest price first, are the Wave, Crest II, Classic, Caribbean and Savannah. All of these boats were redesigned in 2010 to 2011, the initial beginning years of Crest Marine. The Crest pontoon boat’s claim to fame is in the innovation, design and quality craftsmanship. Over the years, Crest pontoons have sold in almost all 50 states with some selling in Europe, Canada and Australia.
The Annual Outstanding Business Awards were established in 2003, are sponsored by Chemical Bank and were created to recognize Small, Medium and Large Businesses in Shiawassee County for their contribution to the region’s economic success. Criteria for the award include demonstrated business creativity/innovation and involvement in Community or Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce activities.
The Outstanding Business Award recipients will be formally honored at the SRCC 2016 Annual Dinner and Awards Night on Thursday, Jan. 28, at D’Mar Banquet & Conference Center of Owosso. Tickets are available at the chamber office or at www.shiawassseechamber.org.
