Rosie-Ann Grover
Special to The Hamilton Spectator
(Jun 28, 2007)
Who: Beach Marine Custom Fiberglass
Where: 1127 Beach Blvd., Hamilton.
What they do: Manufacture fibreglass and Kevlar canoes, and offer sales and rentals in canoes, kayaks and pedal boats. Using polyresin and epoxy Kevlar, the construction of one canoe takes six hours and two people to complete as it is 100-per-cent hand laid with foam-filled flotation chambers. Some larger canoes are up to 4.8 metres in length and up to .4 metres deep.
Another interest of the owners is the manufacture of parts for the SUV 4X4 International Scout made by International Harvester. Harvester had a plant in Hamilton until 1980.
Years in business: Since 1975.
Percentage of market share: Their U.S. customers have travelled from West Virginia and New York City.
Some buyers have come from as far as Australia. Canadian orders have come from Quebec, Alberta, other parts of Ontario, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
The adventure travel industry in Canada saw gross profits of more than $40 million in 1999.
Smaller companies make up most of the adventure travel sector.
Beach Marine is a growing company that sells an average of 400 canoes per year and welcomes lots of competition in Hamilton, Burlington and Oakville.
Where have we seen their wares: Retail canoe dealers across the city.
Hot products: A 4.8-metre, lightweight fibreglass canoe.
Number of employees: Two -- the owners, Paulette McHugh-Gendreau and Real Gendreau.
Special to The Hamilton Spectator
(Jun 28, 2007)
Who: Beach Marine Custom Fiberglass
Where: 1127 Beach Blvd., Hamilton.
What they do: Manufacture fibreglass and Kevlar canoes, and offer sales and rentals in canoes, kayaks and pedal boats. Using polyresin and epoxy Kevlar, the construction of one canoe takes six hours and two people to complete as it is 100-per-cent hand laid with foam-filled flotation chambers. Some larger canoes are up to 4.8 metres in length and up to .4 metres deep.
Another interest of the owners is the manufacture of parts for the SUV 4X4 International Scout made by International Harvester. Harvester had a plant in Hamilton until 1980.
Years in business: Since 1975.
Percentage of market share: Their U.S. customers have travelled from West Virginia and New York City.
Some buyers have come from as far as Australia. Canadian orders have come from Quebec, Alberta, other parts of Ontario, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
The adventure travel industry in Canada saw gross profits of more than $40 million in 1999.
Smaller companies make up most of the adventure travel sector.
Beach Marine is a growing company that sells an average of 400 canoes per year and welcomes lots of competition in Hamilton, Burlington and Oakville.
Where have we seen their wares: Retail canoe dealers across the city.
Hot products: A 4.8-metre, lightweight fibreglass canoe.
Number of employees: Two -- the owners, Paulette McHugh-Gendreau and Real Gendreau.