More than Doubled Marine Shade Units Sold for First Half 2014; 15 New OEMs Added Shade as Factory-Installed Marine Accessory, Including 6 International Boat Manufacturers
SureShade, the U.S. designer and manufacturer of retractable sunshade systems for the marine industry, reports sales for their marine shade systems have more than doubled in the first half of 2014 with unit sales up 108% as compared to the same time period in 2013, putting 2014 on track to be the fifth consecutive year sales have at least doubled each year since the company’s commercial launch in 2009.
SureShade’s sustained growth has been fueled by the rapid adoption by builders and private boat owners of their innovative retractable sunshade systems as a must-have marine accessory. New boat models debuting with the shade are driving steady demand for aftermarket sales as well as the growth of more OEM clients.
SureShade also reports that 15 new OEMs have added their shade systems to new boat models as a factory installed option or standard feature since the start of 2014. New OEMs include 6 international boat builders, as SureShade capitalizes on recent patent approvals in Europe and China to further expand their global presence.
“We are thrilled that our market growth as a marine accessory is further evidenced by the overall uptick in the boating industry,” said Dana Russikoff, co-founder and business leader at SureShade. “Builders and dealers are telling us that boat models with our shade are selling at a faster pace than others in the same segment, and we’ve even seen dealers retrofit shades on floor models in order to help sell a boat.”
Sales have been boosted in 2014 by popular boat model launches like Sea Ray’s 350 SLX and L650 Fly, as well as SureShade’s growth in the high volume category of boats under 40 feet with recent model launches from builders like Boston Whaler, Grady-White, Cruisers Yachts and Formula Boats. Demand for the retractable shade systems is further evidenced by the increase in website traffic and inquiries, with first half 2014 traffic up 83% and leads up 81% from the same time last year.
SureShade is projecting to continue or exceed their growth pace throughout 2014 and is gearing up for another record presence of new and existing boat models on display at the 2014 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in October.
