This week hosts Nick Kuhn and Bethany Hartley talk with Phil Smoker, Vice President of Sales at Smoker Craft Boats. Phil shares the history of the family-owned business and how the company transitioned from a lumber company to building boats and eventually merged with StarCraft to create a larger and more innovative product line. He also highlights the cooperative spirit in the South Bend Elkhart region and the company's focus on innovation and technology, including the use of robotics in their manufacturing process. Phil shares his own entrepreneurial experience and emphasizes the importance of creating a thriving community for future generations.
South Bend business owners and entrepreneurs, if you’ve been in business for five years or less reach out to us to be featured on the Rooted and Reaching Podcast!
QUOTES
TIMESTAMPS
00:23 The history of Smoker Craft Boats
03:49 Cooperative spirit and competition in the South Bend Elkhart region
10:17 Innovation and problem-solving at Smoker Craft
11:14 Implementation of industry 4.0 and automation in the manufacturing process
13:45 The increase in boat sales during the pandemic
RESOURCES
CONTACT
Nick Kuhn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kuhnnick/
Bethany Hartley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethanyhartley/