The Making of Viking Brand Masters
The Viking Masters program provides team members with invaluable hands-on insight in to Viking’s production facilities and includes an open discussion forum where the Viking Sales Team receives feedback on their boats to help improve on their designs and innovations in the future.
“The most impressive aspect of Viking’s production facilities is how they take care of their employees.” Bluewater’s Scott James continues, “They have this unique culture within the plant, even with over 1,200 employees at New Gretna, they are all like a big family.” Viking has their own on-site medical facility which has provided an impressive array of services to employees for the last 30 years. Employee productivity is incredible due to the available medical services at the plant. “It’s remarkable the lengths Viking will go through to uphold their motto of building a better boat every day,” exclaims James.
Bluewater team members have also recently spent time touring Viking’s newer Mullica facility where boats from 37 to 52 feet are built by over 200 employees under the direction of John Leek IV. James recalls visiting the Mullica facility a few years ago shortly after it was acquired by Viking. “It is like a completely different facility now,” he explains. Viking is implementing the same efficient work flows and production lines at Mullica found at the main plant in New Gretna.
While touring the main production lines in New Gretna, Bluewater’s team confirms that Viking’s reentry to the motoryacht segment has gained traction as they watch hull #8 of the 75 MY make its way down the line. Less than 6 months after making her debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Viking has already sold the third hull of the Viking 93 MY which is the first of this model to be powered by the Cat C32 ACERT engine option. Bluewater’s Johnny Hicks exclaims, “Viking is definitely committed to the Motoryacht market in full force.”
