The World Headquarters of Mercury Marine, a division of the Brunswick Corporation based in Wisconsin, USA, was the venue for the E.P. Barrus, Marine Division, 2007 VIP Dealer Incentive Programme attended by over 80 Mariner and Mercury dealers.

The visit was planned to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the launch of Mariner in the UK, the 90th anniversary of E.P. Barrus Ltd, and the important announcement by Barrus of the launch of the five-year warranty scheme for all Mariner and Mercury four-stroke and OptiMax engines.

Dealers were able to see first hand the impressive R&D facilities and the modern production plant for four-stroke outboards, OptiMax and Verado engines from 80 to 300hp and the Mercury Racing plant at Fond du Lac. The group then flew to the Stillwater plant in Oklahoma where all MerCruiser inboard and sterndrive engines are produced including Vazer, a new compact design 100hp sterndrive engine, SeaCore, a comprehensive sterndrive corrosion protection system and Axius, a revolutionary sterndrive control system.

During this intensive visit there was time however for dealers to socialise and enjoy the hospitality in the evenings hosted by Barrus and Brunswick staff. The visit was a tremendous success and here are just a few of the comments received by dealers:

“The scale of the operation over there is truly overwhelming and I think you have to see it to believe it! The sterndrive production was particularly interesting and it was surprising to see how much is actually produced in-house”. Andy Wyer – Fletcher Boats.

“Many thanks for your excellent hospitality during the Barrus trip to the US. We enjoyed ourselves immensely, but more importantly we learned a great deal about the Mariner/Mercury product and the organisation behind it”. Andrew Nunn – Seamark Nunn

“The hospitality and experience provided by yourselves and the factories will stay with me for a long time. I hope that the bringing together of so many dealers will further strengthen the Mariner brand”. Jerry Hobkirk – Falmouth Yacht Brokers.