| Malibu
Boats had won Powerboat magazine’s TowBoat of the Year
award eight times, more than any other boat company.
Founded in 1982 by Robert
Alkema, an ex–plant manager of the Ski Centurion boat
company, Malibu went from being a small upstart to the “most
popular inboard boat in the world” (according to Boating
News magazine).
Malibu had purchased the Australian
ski boat company Flightcraft in 1989, and since then had gone
on to capture 22 percent of the Australian market. Malibu’s
sales in Australia had grown 75 percent in the past three
years, forcing a plant expansion to twice current capacity.
Malibu’s expansions were not just limited to Australia;
despite tough U.S. economic conditions in 2000–2001,
Malibu experienced rising demand for its models, especially
east of the Mississippi.
In 2001, Malibu’s production
increased 12 percent, resulting in a doubling of the Tennessee
plant’s capacity. One characteristic that distinguished
Malibu from its competitors was its employee stock ownership
program; in 1989 employees were awarded stock equal to 10
percent of their annual salary.
For 2002, Malibu expanded
its product line to 15 models, including the addition of three
new wakeboarding boats and a “true cross-training”
model. Malibu’s wakeboard boats featured the innovative
Malibu Wedge concept, a hydrofoil attached to the underside
of the boat.
Malibu sponsored the U.S.
Open waterski tournament each year, and in 2001 the company
had 23 professional skiers, wakeboarders, and barefooters
endorsing its product.
How
to buy a boat? | History
Of The Competition Ski Boat Industry| Boat Shows|
Suppliers
To The Inboard Boat|
USA Water
Ski| Malibu
Boats| Buying
a Used Boat| Guide
to Buy a Water-ski Boat| Drive
a Ski Boat|
Buying
a Water Skis as a Gift| Jump
on Water Skis |
