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Zodiac Of North America News

06 Feb 2019

Tracy to Lead Marine Division of Viega

Industry veteran T.J. Tracy has been named Director of the Marine Division at Viega LLC.Tracy is charged with further developing the company’s fast-growing marine division. Viega offers a full line of fittings and valves designed specifically for joining pipe systems on board military vessels, commercial vessels, oil platforms, cruise ships and mega yachts.  Tracy has spent his entire career in the maritime industry. Prior to joining Viega, he was vice president of sales and marketing at Survitec Group & Zodiac of North America.The Coast Guard veteran has a criminal justice degree from State University of New York College at Oswego. He and his wife have twin daughters. They live in Cambridge, Md.

24 Jun 2010

Zodiac’s New Distributor in Mexico

Zodiac of North America recently signed Yates y Costas S.A. de C.V. as their exclusive distributor for mainland Mexico. Yates y Costas S.A. de C.V. is based in Guadalajara with a rapidly growing distribution network in key markets including Cancun and Acapulco. Director General of Yates y Costas S.A. de C.V., Rodolfo Hagemann, has 30 years marine industry experience. Yates y Costas S.A. de C.V. has already delivered the largest Medline RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) ever sold in Mexico and has customers lined up to experience Zodiac’s newest model – the 420 Bayrunner which will arrive in July. Yates y Costas S.A. de C.V. will represent the full Zodiac range from 7.5 to 27.8 ft including portable boats…

24 Apr 2009

Stimulus Sale for Zodiac & Avon Jet Tenders

Zodiac of North America, Inc., manufacturer of inflatable boats and rigid-hull inflatable boats (RIBs), announced a "Spring Stimulus Sale" for Avon and Zodiac Jet Tenders currently in inventory. The Spring Stimulus Sale saves customers 25% off the Zodiac ProJet 350 and Avon Seasport 320 Jet models. Freight and pre-delivery inspection fees are extra, and the sale is limited to in-stock models, on a first-come, first-served basis. Both jets feature compressed 4-stroke turbocharged engines that produce 104 horsepower. They also feature closed-circuit liquid cooling systems to maintain prime operability. Jet Tenders are primarily used as ship-to-shore service boats for motoryachts. As such, they have low, streamlined profiles optimized for davit use and on-boat cradle storage.

07 Apr 2009

Zodiac Warranty through Boaters World

Zodiac of North America, Inc. announced its warranty policy for all Zodiac products bought by a consumer through a Boaters World liquidator. Zodiac will warrant all boxed boats, which are inflatable models, as though purchased through a normal dealer. Zodiac RIBs sold through liquidators do not come with a warranty, but if the customer takes the RIB to an authorized Zodiac dealer for a safety and pre-delivery inspection, then they can purchase the warranty from the dealer. "Our concern over RIBs sold through the liquidators is that damage may have occurred during the transition from Boaters World to the liquidators," a Zodiac representative said. "A safety inspection from an authorized dealer is essential to the safety of the buyers and the safe operation of our boats.

12 Mar 2009

Zodiac Promotions, Seigel, Beck, Tracy

Zodiac of North America, Inc., manufacturer of military inflatable boats and rigid-hull inflatable boats (RIBs), announced three essential staff changes. Vice President and General Manager, Steve Seigel, has been promoted to President and General Manager of the Military and Professional products business. Bob Beck has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer, and T.J. Tracy has been promoted to Director of Sales and Marketing. In the next twelve months, the Zodiac Military and Professional business intends to add more U.S.

02 Mar 2009

Zodiac of North America Website Award

Zodiac of North America, Inc. announced that several of their websites have received ADDY Awards at the 44th Annual ADDY Awards show held February 21, 2009 in Knoxville, TN. The Knoxville ADDY Awards is the first tier of a three-tiered national competition, which recognizes creativity, originality and strategy in the industry. Gold, Silver, and Bronze ADDY's are awarded in several categories. A series of Zodiac recreational products sites, www.zodiacyachtline.com; www.zodiacpro15.com; and www.zodiacprojets.com, won Silver ADDYs. Two social networking sites designed for Zodiac, www.hellonwater.com and www.savemoresouls.com, received Gold ADDY's, with savemoresouls.com also taking home the Best of Interactive.

24 Feb 2009

Zodiac of North America, Marie Retires

Zodiac of North America, Inc. announced that Jean-Jacques (J.J.) Marie, its President and Chief Executive Officer, is retiring from the company at the end of February. The company plans for Howard French to lead their Recreational Products division and Steve Seigel to lead their Military Products division. Marie, who will assist with the transition as a consultant, will also remain on the Board of Directors. Marie has been with the Zodiac family of companies for 25 years including serving as President for the last 19 years. "I have mixed emotions about retiring in such trying times, but I'm confident that Zodiac is in good shape and will weather this current storm well," Marie said. Marie served on the Boards of the NMMA, U.S.

11 Feb 2009

Zodiac Introduces Trade in Program

Zodiac of North America, Inc., manufacturer of inflatable boats and rigid-hull inflatable boats (RIBs), announced a trade-in program for Avon and Zodiac jet-tenders in an effort to move the marketplace toward the more environmentally-friendly four-stroke models. "Our new four-stroke jet-tenders represent the latest technology, which in addition to maintaining their spirited performance, are also more in tune with today's environmentally-savvy customer," Gary Durnan, Vice President, Zodiac of North America, said. The trade-in program, Jet Set 5000, guarantees owners of Avon and Zodiac jet-tenders $5,000 for their trade to upgrade to a new four-stroke model.

21 Jan 2009

Zodiac, New Law Enforcement RIBs

Zodiac of North America, Inc., is launching their new Zodiac Enforcer line of RIBs tailored to the needs of marine law enforcement agencies. The Enforcer series was first displayed to the public and law enforcement customers at the Miami International Boat Show this month. "Our military and Coast Guard customers have long understood the performance advantages of Zodiac RIBs and Zodiac Hurricane RIBs. What we needed for law enforcement was a vessel that could deliver these same characteristics, but at the price point of a production-built boat," said Steve Seigel, Vice President and General Manager of the Zodiac Military and Professional Products Division. "We achieved this with the Enforcer line by distilling the options down to build the quintessential law enforcement boat.

20 Jan 2009

Zodiac’s Consumer Rebate Program

Zodiac of North America, Inc., manufacturer of inflatable boats and rigid-hull inflatable boats (RIBs), announced their Save Fuel Keep Boating Consumer Rebate program to stimulate early season sales of their inflatable boats and RIBs. "Recreational RIBs are taking hold in America as primary boats due to their fuel efficiency and ride quality," Gary Durnan, Vice President, Zodiac of North America, said. "Offering a rebate program in today's tough economy will further encourage customers to put Zodiac on their list and give us a try.

15 Dec 2008

Seigal Appointed VP at Zodiak

Zodiac of North America, Inc., manufacturer of military and commercial inflatable boats and rigid-hull inflatable boats (RIBs), has hired Commander (Ret.) Steve Seigel to lead their military and professional business unit. Seigel’s Naval career includes both enlisted and commissioned service in multiple SEAL and Underwater Demolition Teams, and the US Special Operations Command. Following his operational and command tours, he reported to the USSOCOM acquisition and logistics directorate after completing the Defense Systems Management College. “Commander Seigel was assigned to the program management office responsible for the development…

25 Jul 2008

Marie named “Honorary Frogman”

J.J. Marie, ADM Bonelli, and Jack Lynch, UDT-SEAL Association President.

At 10:00 AM on July 19, 2008, Zodiac of North America, Inc. President and CEO, J.J. Marie, became the newest SEAL in the United States Navy. Rear Admiral Garry J. Bonelli, Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, presented Marie the certificate during the East Coast SEAL Reunion Breakfast/Business Meeting at the Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek. Only 175 people have been named "Honorary SEALs" in nearly 50 years. Marie received a standing ovation from the 200-plus in attendance for his ardent support of the Naval Special Warfare community.

04 Sep 2003

Zodiac Pens Multi-Million Hurricane

Zodiac of North America has weathered its own “hurricane” with the signing of a contract in excess of $5 million with the U.S. Coast Guard to supply the new Marine Protector Class of 87-ft. Coastal Patrol Boats (CPBs) with custom-built Hurricane 558 rigid-hull inflatable boats (RIBs). Per the contract, Zodiac is to supply a total of 52 H-558 RIBs to Coast Guard stations nationwide. The 558s will be used to support the 87-ft. (26.5-m) CPBs in a wide range of Coast Guard operations, which include Homeland and port security, search & rescue, boarding suspect vessels, drug interdiction, law enforcement, and fishing and environmental regulation. Measuring 18 ft. in length, the H-558 is specially designed to launch from the stern ramp of the 87-ft. CPB – even in heavy seas.

28 Oct 2003

Zodiac Files Suit Against Brunswick

Zodiac of North America, Inc., Zodiac International, S.A. and its AVON Inflatables Ltd. subsidiary filed a lawsuit against Brunsweick Corporation, charging that Brunswick infringed a Zodiac patent creating the Amanzi 380 Deluxe rigid hull inflatable boat (RIB), recently introduced by Brunswick’s Mercury Marine Division. Zodiac is claiming that Brunswick intentionally copied the patented technology of a Zodiac RIB design as well as features of the AVON Seasport De Luxe series. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, located in Baltimore.

17 Feb 2004

Brunswick, Zodiac Drop Suit

reached last week by the two companies. Inflatables Ltd. on a Zodiac patent and AVON's trade dress. The suit, filed in the U.S. Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation, introduced the Amanzi model. boat is appropriate for sale by Brunswick. lawsuit. Mercury Marine. Zodiac President and Chief Executive Officer J. happy to have the issue resolved. rights across the globe.

11 Jan 2001

People & Company News

D.F. International logistics service provider D.F. Young, Inc. has announced the relocation of its headquarters office from New York City to Jersey City, N.J. in the first quarter of 2001. The company is leasing 14,000 sq. ft. at 1 Journal Square in Jersey City, after operating from downtown New York for most of its 97-year history. "When this company was started in 1903, all the shipping companies and banks were located in downtown Manhattan," said Thomas Mosimann, president of D.F. Young. "But the port has moved, and most of the other forwarders have followed it to New Jersey over the last 10 to 15 years. D.F.Young already has its Marine Department located in Port Elizabeth, N.J., as well as offices across the U.S. in Jamaica, N.Y.

24 Jan 2001

People & Company News

Maritime Surveys Ltd., Shoreham, Sussex, U.K., recently took delivery of the first SeaBat 8160 multibeam echosounder system from RESON A/S. The SeaBat 8160 was installed on one of Maritime's survey vessels, the Scotian Shore. Alastair MacDonald, managing director of Maritime Surveys, commented on the success of the sea trials: "The SeaBat 8160 delivered the highest quality multibeam survey data in a swath width of 1,300 meters at 3,000 meters water depth, even when experiencing a near 20 degree roll and 12 degree pitch. The excellent data quality combined with the system's portability makes the 8160 extremely valuable for our operations." During these trials the system was supported by GSE Rentals of Aberdeen who supplied a TSS POS M/V 320 system.

20 Mar 2006

Prime RIBs

The Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) has become an invaluable part of 21st century Coast Guard cutters. "Often the mission of the cutter is to get a RIB and its crew on scene for interdiction, rescue and other missions," said J.J. Marie, president and CEO of Zodiac of North America, headquartered in Stevensville, Md., a leading manufacturer of RIBs. RIBs have been used on cutters for many years, especially the large Legacy Class of vessels. Those RIBs were attached to the ships via davits and lowered in the water and recovered and stowed on deck. Fast-forward to February 2003, and the start of the Deepwater program, a $20 Billion, 25-year program to upgrade the Coast Guard's land, sea and air assets. The first part of the program was to renovate and upgrade the 49 Island class, 110-ft.

20 Jun 2006

JJ. Marie Appointed to Board of AFRAS

JJ. Marie, President and CEO of Zodiac of North America (ZNA) has been appointed to the board of the Association for Rescue at Sea (AFRAS) _ a non-profit organization dedicated to providing much needed support to voluntary lifeboat services all over the world.

23 Apr 2001

Zodiac to Offer F470 Training Class

Zodiac of North America, Inc. will offer two upcoming F470 training classes is Stevensville, Md. The first one will be held May 7-18, 2001. The second course is scheduled for July 9-20. The two-week course offers basic training for the first week and advanced instruction for the second week. The first week covers basic gluing techniques, simple patching, valve repair and replacement, and overall maintenance. The second week will include, but is not limited to, baffle repairs, transom replacements and complete overhauls. Units are encouraged to bring their own crafts to the course. All training is hands-on and led by Albert Czartoryski, technical manager. The fee for the class is $350 per student, per week. Per diem will be at the student’s expense.

23 Apr 2001

ZNA’s J.J. Marie Inducted into French Legion of Honor

J.J. Marie, president and CEO of Zodiac of North America (ZNA), was inducted into he French Legion of Honor, holding the title Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur. He was presented with the award in January at a private ceremony in the residence of Francois Bujon de L’Estang, French ambassador to the U.S. in Washington, D.C. The Legion of Honor, which is considered France’s highest honor, was created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. Marie began his career in the French Merchant Marine, followed by the French Navy. He became president of ZNA in 1990, after serving the company for 10 years. Marie is a high-profile advocate of boating safety and holds leadership positions at many boating safety organizations.

02 Mar 2000

Zodiac Enters Agreement to Expand Engine Options

Zodiac of North America (ZNA) has entered into an agreement with Honda Marine to offer Zodiac rigid inflatable boats pre-rigged for Honda engines. Zodiac already has such an agreement with Yamaha. All Honda Marine outboard motors now feature four-stroke designs, with models ranging from 2-130 hp. Yamaha offers a full line of two-stroke marine engines and four-stroke engines up to 115 hp. Customers of any ZNA leisure boat dealer may now request their Zodiac boat be delivered from the manufacturer pre-rigged for either a Yamaha or Honda engine. ZNA dealers carrying Honda engines can sell and install the Honda engine at the dealership, or request factory pre-packaged boat and morot combinations.

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