(JEANERETTE, La.) — Louisiana-based boat manufacturer Metal Shark Aluminum Boats has hired marine industry veteran Carl Wegener as its director of commercial sales.
Wegener brings a diversified background in engineering, strategic planning, and business development, with over 25 years of experience in the boat and shipbuilding industry. At Metal Shark, he will utilize this background and his extensive list of industry contacts to develop the company’s relationships with operators in the passenger ferry, fast crew, utility, entertainment, and pilot boat markets.
Earlier this year, Metal Shark announced significant growth plans, including the acquisition of a 25-acre shipyard in Franklin, La., and a commitment to expand its focus to include commercial interests in the shipbuilding sector. According to company executives, the hiring of Wegener is an integral component of these plans.
“I have known Carl for many years and have always been impressed by his encyclopedic knowledge of the commercial shipbuilding sector,” explained Chris Allard, president of Metal Shark. “He knows all the players and he fully understands the challenges and opportunities. With our new Franklin shipyard preparing to come online, the timing was perfect, and we’re pleased to welcome Carl to the Metal Shark team.”
Construction is wrapping up on a new 60,000-square-foot production building at Metal Shark’s new shipyard. The company is preparing to transfer the assembly of several 50-foot, 55-foot and 75-foot pilot boats and dive support vessels from its facility in Jeanerette, La., to the new yard in Franklin, which is expected to be operational by mid-month.
About Metal Shark
Established in 1986, Gravois Aluminum Boats LLC and its government/commercial boat entity Metal Shark Aluminum Boats are leading suppliers of welded aluminum boats for defense, law enforcement and commercial entities. Key customers include the United States Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, Army, and the militaries of partner nations worldwide. From its two fully self-contained facilities in south Louisiana, Metal Shark produces a wide range of custom monuhull and catamaran center console and pilothouse patrol boats, fireboats, pilot boats, workboats, and other speciality vessels ranging from 16 feet to 250 feet. Visit the company’s website at www.metalsharkboats.com.
