As Kristin Luke and I walked outside to begin day three of our semi-odyssey, it was immediately obvious that the heat wave that had been gripping eastern Wisconsin was over — replaced with a driving rain.
We were heading to Marlin Technologies, Horicon, Wis., a designer and manufacturer of custom electronic control products for severe duty mobile applications, including marine applications. The jeep we were driving in almost qualified on both counts as the rain increased and the highways we rode across, unfamiliar to us, were more often than not under construction.
We made it to Marlin unscathed, and were welcomed by Lloyd Brown, director of sales and marketing and Liz Porth, a marketing specialist. The pair told us that their company provides custom and off-the-shelf M-Flex customizable components and integrated systems such as I/O controllers, CAD keypads, power distribution units, digital switches, CAN bridges, displays, converters/inverters, and motor controllers.
“We’ve been building like this for over 50 years. We decided about five years ago to get into the marine industry,” said Brown. “Mostly boats between 18 and 36 feet in the recreation industry.”
Marlin has been thinking of moving into the commercial marine side of the industry and wanted to talk to Kristin about the International WorkBoat Show.
Our next stop was H.O. Bostrom, Waukesha, Wis., global manufacturers of standard and configurable seating systems, including the company’s newest premium helm seat — the Pacifica AL.
We met with Paige Bostrom, sales and marketing manager, and Ron Ogren, sales specialist.
The pair said they are aware of Bostrom seats that have been on the same boat for many years.
“Almost anything on our seats is replaceable,” said Ogren. “We have some seats in the field for 20, 25 years.”
The Pacifica AL features an aluminum pedestal; pneumatic lift system with 112 lbs. of lift force; molded, high-density foam cushion; 4" diameter stanchion tube; 360° locking swivel; 6" fore/aft travel, locking in 1" increments; reclining back; 4" height adjustment that ranges from 21" to 25" from the floor or 14" to 18" from the floor. There is also an optional footrest.
“We sell a lot into the tug market,” said Ogren. “It hits a good price point for the customer.”
