Paul Leavy/The Valdosta Daily Times A group shot of the employees at Regal Marine who earned the JD Power Awards.

VALDOSTA — Regal Marine was honored by J.D. Power and Associates as being ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction of Express Cruisers (24-33 feet)” as well as “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Small Runabouts (16-19 feet).” The ceremony took place Thursday, Feb. 15, at the Miami International Boat Show.

The J.D. Power and Associates Boat Competitive Information Study, now in its sixth year, measures owner satisfaction with new boats among 76 different brands in seven different categories. Overall customer satisfaction index scores are based on performance in eight factors for small runabouts including engine, ride/handling, helm/IP, design/styling, sound system, maintenance, water sports and fishing, while it is based on performance in seven factors for express cruisers including cabin, engine, ride/handling, helm/IP, design/styling, sound system and maintenance.

Regal Marine is an independent business that builds high-end luxury performance boasts. The company was established 37 years ago by Paul Kuck, with Christian principles as its foundation. Kuck passed away last year, however his sons Duane and Tim carry on the same tradition and beliefs.

With production facilities in Orlando and Valdosta, Regal builds boats from 19-44 feet and is now introducing a luxurious new 52-foot yacht. The local facility builds boats that are 24-30 feet, including large runabouts and mid-size cruisers.

“We build the 26-, 28- and 30-foot Express Cruisers here in Valdosta,” manager Greg Justice said.

“I believe we won because of the dedication and skill of our employees. The significance of this award tells us that we have the very best boatbuilders right here in South Georgia.”

He continued: “In the past, this segment has been dominated by Sea Ray, one of the largest boat manufactures in the world. In comparison, Regal is a small, privately owned boat company, yet we dominated the competition.”

Last year, Regal Marine won the J.D. Power award for small runabouts. It is also a perennial winner of the prestigious National Marine Manufacturers Association Customer Service Index Award in the same boating segments. Regal has received numerous awards for the trademarked Fas Trac hull design, and was even named Manufacturer of the Year for 2005 by South Georgia Business Magazine.

Justice wants Valdosta/Lowndes County to know how important his team members are and what a great job they are doing. This includes a leadership team of Marcus Harmon, Johnny Justice, Chip Northcutt, Laura Fitch, Amy Medley, Carey Davis and Hoyt Self. He is actually looking for more people to join his team in Assembly, Lamination and Woodshop.

“We want to make this plant the employer of choice,” Justice said.

Multiple J.D. Power awards appeal to future employees as well as potential customers. The new awards will help in selling additional boats because most consumers want to ensure they get value for the money they spend.

Justice believes that quality and performance are what sets Regal apart from competitors. The company was actually a close second for the J.D. Power award in large runabouts. In fact, the winner, Pat St. Clair of Cobalt Boats, stated upon the acceptance of the award that he was going to have to work hard to ensure Regal does not make three trips to the podium in 2008.

According to Justice, he and his team will give Cobalt a run for its money.



J.D. Power Awards:

J.D. Power and Associates sent out more than 54,000 questionnaires to boat owners in all boating segments. The company employs hundreds of professional researchers and statisticians and it goes to great lengths to make sure that the consumers they survey are chosen at random and actually own the product or company they are rating. Ratings are based entirely on consumer opinions and do not reflect the opinions or preferences of the firm.



Regal Marine

General Manager: Greg Justice

Phone: (229) 247-2045

Location: 601 Gil Harbin Industrial Blvd.