You have that impression, well, fine. But let me tell you two things, two "impressions" I have:
- I have the impression that I've never mentioned Mr. Ted Penfield, I know nothing about him, and therefore I've never referred to him, nor will I in the future.
- I have the impression, from everything I've read on this forum, that Mr. ondarvr, who I assume is a reputable seller of fiberglass and other materials, has no idea how to build boats. No offense intended, this isn't a statement, it's just an impression.
Having said that, I stand by the comment I made in a previous post: a stockist, a seller of metal plates and reinforcements, I have the impression that no matter how many materials he sells, he'll never know how to build metal boats.
Perhaps some of you have seen shipbuilding companies born, grown, and disappeared. But that doesn't qualify you to advise anyone on whether or not they should start a shipbuilding company. Looking out the window and seeing neighbors start businesses doesn't mean we know how to create one like theirs. We might be able to create some kind of business, but not one where we have no idea about the issues surrounding it. Giving advice is easy; giving good advice is not. Being negative is easy; being positive, it seems, is very difficult.
I started working on and repairing fiberglass boats at the age of 10 while living on an island, that was in the mid 1960s, then built boats for a friend's dad who was in the business. After that during high-school I worked in a glass shop, we built chemical tanks of all sizes. I was handed a blue print and was told to "build it".
Did several other things over the years, plus had my own boat, swimming pool and hot tub molds that I built parts off in my own shop. Also had my own business relining chemical tanks, water tanks, fish holds, lengthening and modifying boats, etc. I had jobs where I was running a chopper gun or gel coating most of every day. Along with being a plant manager for much of that time building high pressure filament wound filtration tanks with computerized systems, along with other items. When you see the water features in Las Vegas and large Aquariums like Sea World, and resorts around the world, we built and installed the water filtration systems.
After 30 years of that I jumped to this side of the industry. I started in tech service, then did product development, testing, and training for the major boat manufacturers. Part of that was spending weeks in their plants doing production and process audits, this was to help streamline production and get the best results from the resin and gel coat we supplied. I could spray gel coat, run a chopper gun, and do repairs as good or better than their employees, so it wasn't difficult to gain their respect. Then it transformed into infusion and other forms of production.
I was also the Marine Market manager for one of the larger resin and gel coat companies, I worked with all the big players in the industry, actually the small ones too.
That is only the marine side of it, I was also involved in all aspects of composites fabrication and production, aerospace, RV, architectural, job shops, etc. I traveled all over North America ever week going into multiple shops a day doing tech service and training. Did that until I started doing it internationally too.
Now I work mostly with tooling and speciality products, I do less travel now, but have a test lab in my shop where I mix up stuff for product development and testing. I still work with our sister company that is a distributor to help their sales people and customers trouble shoot and select products for specific applications. One current project is working with ultra high end automotive restoration and customization market. They like our products but we don't know enough about their type of business, so I'm learning that.
I frequently do recorded webinars for certain product lines, or training for customers. Along with numerous zoom meetings with companies that have plants in many different countries. We will go over details of using our products, or others, while I demonstrate how to use them live on camera in my shop.
Now other things. I work with universities and colleges by supplying our products at no charge and guiding them through building their specific project. Frequently it's the solar car challenges, they need to make tooling and the parts, and have zero experience, but are very intelligent.
And back to the original subject, working with people new to the industry because they have an idea for a new widget. I get these calls every week because they are directed to me from other sources to fine tune their ideas and processes into something that makes sense and is buildable. I'm the first call because they need to build tooling, and I've probably built what they have in mind. Most of these people never really get going, others create new thriving businesses. There are signs that some may succeed and others not.
If they have no money, are not in good health, have no knowledge of composites, and don't really know anything about what they plan to build, it's not a good sign.
So what more would you like to know about my experience in the industry?
PS, that was the short version.
