The Kadey-Krogen Group, builder of Krogen trawlers and the performance cruising brand Summit Motoryachts, has acquired Washington-based American Tugs.

American Tugs was founded in 1999 by marine industry veterans who recognised the need for high-quality, US-built coastal cruisers. Today, American Tugs builds five models ranging from 36 to 48 feet and has delivered more than 250 cruising boats to date, as well as five commercial vessels, from its 28,000-square-foot facility in LaConner, Washington.

“It’s really an exciting opportunity for us to acquire such a successful boatbuilder, led by a team that we’ll be collaborating with on day one,” says Tucker West, Kadey-Krogen Group president. “They have a healthy backorder of boats, a great reputation in this market, and most importantly, a customer base that really loves their American Tugs.

“We immediately identified how our companies will complement each other and, most importantly, how the customers will benefit. This includes expanded distribution for American Tugs through Kadey-Krogen’s sales offices in Portsmouth, R.I.; Annapolis, Md.; Seattle, Wash., and Stuart, Fl. We are also working with American Tugs leadership to expand service and refit offerings for Krogen and Summit customers at their LaConner facility and leverage their west coast sales.”

American Tugs. Image courtesy of Jeff Calvert

Additionally, the company will explore leveraging the opportunities for sales in the Great Lakes region through their existing relationship with mid-west-based yacht broker Schwartz & Co. Yacht Sales.

The acquisition will not impact the production of either the American Tugs, Krogen, or Summit brands, and the Kadey-Krogen Group plans to continue to market each brand separately.

“We are certainly looking at ways of combining forces on the production side where it makes sense,” says Fran Morey, Kadey-Krogen Group production manager. “Initially, we see opportunities through purchasing, and even on tooling on new models. American Tugs has a world-class team of engineers and builders, and we’re looking forward to working with them to create some incredible boats.”

American Tugs co-founder and current CEO, Kurt Dilworth, will remain on the team, as will Jeff Calvert, who currently manages sales.

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