Andrew Short Marine at full throttle

by Bob Wonders on 14 May 2010 When Andrew Short, the charismatic, popular and highly-experienced yachtsman died in a tragic accident off the NSW south coast in October last year, many believed it could also see the end of Andrew Short Marine.

The prominent marine dealership, established by Andrew Short about 28-years ago, had spread across four sites and under his leadership blossomed into a major marine retailer in the truest sense of the term.

Those who thought the loss of the dealership's founder would signal negativity did not make allowance for Andrew's wife Kylie.

Now CEO of the business, Kylie has impressed the industry far and wide with her determination to ‘get things done'.

Not only that, but she intends to maintain the successful image, customer confidence and best business practice necessary to a continuance of the company's growth.

'Andrew and I were always looking at various ways and means to expand the business, while ensuring it remained profitable for all involved,' she explained.

'Since losing Andrew I have become committed to firmly following his ideas and his passion for the business,' she added.

There seems absolutely no doubt that Kylie Short has taken a very firm grip on the company's reins and intends to run the company ‘as Andrew would have it.'

Andrew Short Marine is the authorised distributor for many of the boating industry's best-known and most respected brand names.

They include Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Baja, Brooker, Stacer, Sea-Al and Haines Signature boats, Quicksilver, Zodiac and Briggs inflatables and the best in engines with Mercury, MerCruiser and Cummins Diesel.

A recent acquisition has been the XFi specialist ‘ski and wakeboard boats to give the dealership a range of stock to meet all forms of maritime activity.

Andrew Short Marine has shown the world how it's done when it comes to marketing the US marque Sea Ray.

Named Sea Ray International Dealer of the Year on no less than four occasions, Andrew Short Marine was named recently as the sole dealer for the brand in Sydney.

Kylie Short has not been backward in coming forward!

She has already brought into play a number of key changes to the day-to-day operation of the business, no encompassing four individual facilities; Box Road, Taren Point, remains the company's HQ and showroom, there's the Yowie Bay Marina, just a few kilometres south and heading to the north side of the harbour the two marina operations at The Spit, Mosman.

Andrew Short Marine has been well entrenched at the Fergusons Boatshed facility on the eastern side of Spit Road, while almost directly opposite is the newly acquired showroom on the d'Albora Marina.

Kylie has named Beau Short as Sales Manager, answering directly to her, with Greg Marshman to head the Parts and Accessories division with Stella Tzonis appointed Operations Manager.

'I have also engaged the services of Ken Evans, well known throughout the industry and recently retired as a director of Mercury Marine,' Kylie explained.

'Ken will assist me in several areas and we will be examining all sectors of the dealership's business with the view of composing a comprehensive business plan.

'The aim will be to produce a plan that will ensure sensible, profitable and increased growth in the years ahead,' she declared.

Kylie and her team are already well advanced in planning for a major effort at the 2010 Sydney International Boat Show (July 29 – August 2).

The company will host displays on both the spectacular Cockle Bay Marina and within the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre.

For further information contact Andrew Short Marine, telephone (02) 9524-2699 or visit the website, www.andrewshortmarine.com.au