Propspeed continues US expansion with two new hires

(AUCKLAND, New Zealand) — Propspeed, a leading innovator of underwater foul-release coatings, has announced expansion of its United States operations with the appointment of Alan Ferland as Southeast regional sales manager and technical support, and Bobby Matos as Gulf Coast regional sales manager and technical support.

Ferland has been servicing the marine industry for over 14 years. He has held positions spanning from electronics/electrical installations, maintenance, distribution and management. Having spent most of his time in South Florida, Ferland started a mobile marine service company that has evolved into a profitable storefront business in St. Petersburg, Fla. In addition, he has held several positions in the recreational motoryacht and sportfishing market working in maintenance capacities, before transitioning to distribution prior to joining Propspeed.

Matos has been involved in the marine industry his entire life, from racing to manufacturing and even distributing. He began his career racing offshore powerboats in the United States and eventually competed in Europe and the Middle East. In 1999, Matos started a Norwegian-based business in Oslo, Norway, importing U.S. marine products and serviced performance boats such as Sunseeker and Princess Yachts. Ironically, in 2001, he went from helping boats go fast to stopping them by importing and selling a European-brand windlass system and eventually designed and marketed his own in 2010. A year later he won the IBEX Innovation Award with the Nautilus windlass system.

Propspeed’s topcoat is specially formulated to prevent marine growth from bonding to metal surfaces below the waterline. It is proven to increase boat efficiency, reduce drag, and save fuel and maintenance costs. It features a chemical and mechanical bond between the metal substrate, the etching primer and the clear coat – ensuring that the Propspeed coating sticks to running gear, and any other underwater metals. Propspeed products include Propspeed for running gear and all underwater metals, Foulfree for transducers and Lightspeed for underwater lighting.

– Propspeed

By Professional Mariner Staff