White River Marine Re-Organizes After Hatteras Purchase
The addition of Hatteras Yachts to the White River Marine group of boat manufacturers will result in a new saltwater division that will be headquartered in an updated facility in New Bern, N.C. White River Marine is owned by Bass Pro Shops. In addition to reviving the Hatteras line, White River will relocate the production of saltwater brands Mako and Ranger Saltwater to the new factory. The move frees up capacity at existing manufacturing plants in Miami, Okla., and Flippin, Ark., for additional freshwater-boat production. White River says it anticipates zero job losses.
New Leader
During the event announcing the Hatteras acquisition, White River Marine Group’s president Scott Ernest named Lauren Good, a 12-year veteran of the company director of Saltwater Operations. She started in retail operations and held several leadership roles in the company. Good will oversee the Hatteras facility.
Passion for Boating
In a statement, White River Marine owner and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, said, “We are inspired by the many similarities between the pride and passion of the master boat builders from our home in the Ozarks and the legendary boat builders of North Carolina and the New Bern area in particular. Both share the same genuine commitment to American craftsmanship, with scores of family members working together and generations of highly experienced boat builders taking pride in what they do.”
Morris continued, “We’re committed to support Hatteras in staying true to its roots as a legendary saltwater brand by a passion for fishing while expanding our operations to better serve all those who love the sea.”
Commitment to Conservation
To honor the legacy of longtime friend and North Carolina conservationist Eddie Bridges, Morris announced a $1 million conservation pledge focused on the coastal area to be paid over 5 years. Bridges was expected to attend the event to announce the acquisition of Hatteras, but he passed away earlier in the week. He had established the North Carolina Wildlife Endowment Fund and the not-for-profit North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Foundation.
The pledge awards several grants to conservation organizations working to advance wildlife and habitat conservation in North Carolina. The grants are funded in part by the not-for-profit Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund that unites customers to round up their purchases to support the company’s conservation efforts.
First year commitments include $100,000 to the North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Foundation, $50,000 to the University of Maine for a North Carolina-based bluefin tuna tagging project and $50,000 to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) for a Marlin satellite tagging project.
Additionally, Morris previously co-chaired the Morris-Deal Commission on Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Management, leading to the congressional reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act in 2015.
Among the prominent conservation leaders from North Carolina who were on-hand for the Hatteras announcement were Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Sportfishing Policy, IGFA president Jason Schratwieser, and Ellen Peel, president of the Billfish Foundation.
“This is not just a business investment for us,” Morris said. “It’s at the heart of who we are. Fishing, boating and conservation have been lifelong shared passions in our company, and we are grateful to our team members and independent dealer network members for their boundless enthusiasm and support.”