Andrew Short Marine reveals expansion plans

by Bob Wonders on 24 Mar 2010 Andrew Short Marine, based on both sides of Sydney Harbour and arguably one of Australia's largest marine dealerships, has unveiled plans to extensively expand the business and its product lines.

Kylie Short, whose late husband Andrew established the company in the early 80s has taken a firm grip on the reins and intends to run the company in true ‘Andrew Short style.'

Following Andrew Short's tragic loss in November last year, when his yacht stuck a rocky island off the NSW coast, many industry observers had been questioning the company's future.

Kylie Short is not just a pretty face; she has well and truly ‘put to bed' any thoughts of the company not maintaining its highly successful operations. She is absolutely intent on maintaining customer confidence and ensuring best business practice is utilised to continue the company's growth.

'Andrew and I were consistently looking at ways and means to grow the business in a profitable and sustainable manner,' she explained. 'Since Andrew's passing, I have become firmly committed to following that plan.

'I have engaged the services of recently-retired Mercury Marine director Ken Evans to assist me and together we will examine all facets of the company's business with the aim of developing a business plan to ensure sensible, profitable and increased growth of the dealership,' she added.

Andrew Short Marine is an authorised retailer of many of the most respected brand names in the marine industry, among them Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Baja Boats, Brooker Alloy Boats and Trailers and Haines Signature, together with Quicksilver, Zodiac and Briggs inflatables.

The company has also announced within the last few days that it will become a dealer for Stacer aluminium boats and XFI water ski and wake board boats.

It is also a prominent dealership for the Mercury and MerCruiser range of outboard, stern drive and inboard engines and for the renowned Cummins Diesel Sterndrive range.

Kylie Short has already implemented a number of key changes to the day-to-day operation of the business.

Beau Smith has been appointed Sales Manager, Greg Marshman has been named to head the Parts and Accessories division and Stella Tzonis has been named Operations Manager.

'There will be a number of major new initiatives and product announcements in the near future and we look forward to sharing these with our customers and with the boating industry,' Ken Evans said.

'It is all very exciting for Kylie and for Andrew Short Marine,' he added.

Andrew Short Marine currently operates from four facilities; its head office and primary showroom is at 1 Box Road, Taren Point and it also owns and operates the Yowie Bay Marina just a few kilometres to the south.

On the north side of the city, Andrew Short Marine is at the well-known Ferguson's Boat Shed, on The Spit, at Mosman and has an additional showroom opposite on the d'Albora Marina.

For further information contact Andrew Short Marine, telephone (02) 9524-2699.