Pier One Yacht Sales said the NI’O Yacht Group, which is owned by Shirley Nelle, merged her company with Pier One.
Pier One said the NI’O Yacht Group, which is located in Madeira Beach, Fla., is the sixth brokerage firm to join under the Pier One banner in the last four years.
Pier One said the merger makes it one of the largest brokerage firms on Florida’s west coast. It has six offices and 51 brokers serving the state.
Nelle started in the industry in 1991 by joining U.S. Yacht Brokerage in Clearwater. She started the NI’O Yacht Group in 1993.
“This is a win-win situation with benefits,” Nelle said in a statement. “With the collective knowledge and experience of all parties involved and the worldwide exposure of Pier One Yacht Sales, this is one merger where the most important part will be for our clients. They are the ones who will benefit the most.”
“We will not be closing the office in Madeira Beach,” Nelle added. “If anything, we will be expanding its impact. This gives both NI’O Yacht Group clients and Pier One clients who are from St. Pete Beach, Madeira Beach, Clearwater, Treasure Island and the surrounding areas a closer office while still getting all the benefits of Pier One’s five other locations.”
Pier One has an office in downtown St. Petersburg at the Municipal Marina.
Pier One’s locations are Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda; Cape Harbour Marina in Cape Coral; Salty Sam’s Marina in Fort Myers Beach; and its main office in Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda.
Its charter division, which is based in Fort Lauderdale, was started in May 2016.
