CANT LONG ESTABLISHED, INNOVATIVE, AND NICHE COMPANIES SURVIVE?
It will be challenging for many of the smaller suppliers. Just as few could have foreseen the degree of industry change since 1986, there is little reason to believe that this pace will slacken. In addition to the boat-building operations of Yamaha and Brunswick, the newly expanded Genmar, with apparently favorable ties to the power companies, will further flex their muscles. Other major independents such as Tracker have long-standing ties with power companies which place smaller companies at a competitive disadvantage, while adding to the collective industry control by the power companies. As the size and strength of these companies increases, they will likely apply more and more pressure on the suppliers to compensate them for their market-share. There is, however, some reason for optimism regarding the continued viability of the independent builders and their ability to sustain a successful relationship with the suppliers. Since its split from the former OMC, Volvo has reorganized a
