Soundings Trade Only named Garmin the first-place winner in the annual Top 10 Most Innovative Marine Companies Awards. The program recognizes businesses that are transforming the industry through new manufacturing processes, marketing approaches, technologies, products, purposes, directions, workforce culture and other initiatives.
The awards were announced during a pre-IBEX reception Monday.
“Innovation is truly in our DNA, and it’s what drives our team every day,” said Garmin director of marine and RV sales David Dunn. “It’s an honor to be recognized by Trade Only among so many esteemed companies in our industry. This award is a testament to the hard work of our entire team and our relentless pursuit to deliver the most innovative products on the water.”
The remaining top 10 winners were also announced. Where they placed on the list will be revealed in the November issue of Soundings Trade Only. They are, in alphabetical order:
• Avikus
• Brunswick Corp.
• Chris-Craft
• Dometic
• ePropulsion
• Groupe Beneteau
• Radian IoT
• Suzuki
• Volvo Penta
Honorable mentions went to Boatyard, Hyperfuels and Lippert.
The awards were judged by a five-person panel that comprised:
• Michele Goldsmith, vice president and general manager, Soundings Trade Only Group
• Gary Reich, editor-in-chief, Soundings Trade Only
• Bill Sisson, editor-at-large, Active Interest Media Marine Group, executive editor, Anglers Journal
• Sara Anghel, past president, National Marine Manufacturers Association Canada, Darlene Briggs award winner, and president and CEO of the Greater Toronto Hotel Association
• Lou Sandoval, former national director of business development for Brunswick Corp., author, and CEO and president of the Halo Advisory Group, a management consulting firm
“We’d like to congratulate Garmin and all the award winners for the great strides they took to push innovation forward during the last year,” Reich said. “Innovation is what pushes us forward and makes the boating experience safer, more enjoyable and easier for end consumers, which is good for the entire industry.”
