All In The Family
While the Palm Beach International Boat Show is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year, family owned and operated Ward’s Marine Electric is excited to announce their very own anniversary celebration – 60 years in the industry.
The Ward’s Marine name has become synonymous with quality, safe and dependable service and therefore they have become one of the largest recreational marine electric providers in the nation. Kristina Hebert, COO of Ward’s Marine Electric and granddaughter of the company’s founder, spoke about the company’s place in the marine industry, their secrets to success and the importance of the Palm Beach International Boat Show to their company.
Q: First, can you give us an overview of Ward’s Marine Electric?
Ward’s Marine Electric specializes in everything “marine electric” including refits, custom panel production, engineering new systems, switchboards, wire, shorepower, surveys, fire inspections, lighting inspections and protection, insurance and brokerage reports, power conversions and more. We are one of the only, if not the only place to have every aspect of your marine electrics serviced in one location.
The first year we opened we were located in my grandfather’s garage, but over the last 59 years we have been located in the same three-block radius in downtown Fort Lauderdale. We also have a second facility in Riviera Beach.
Q: Is the Riviera Beach location the reason you have chosen to exhibit in the Palm Beach International Boat Show over the last ten years?
Our location in Palm Beach County has opened up so many lines of communication with the large number of boaters in that area. From the time we opened in Riviera we knew the Palm Beach show was important for us. The show itself has grown so much over the years with the addition of Rybovich Marina and now Palm Harbor Marina and the updated West Palm Beach Waterfront, and we are happy to have been a part of the growth of the show. It is a beautiful and laid back show where our Palm Beach technicians and sales reps get the opportunity to meet the local community, mingle with dealers, captains, owners and crew and really get the word out about Ward’s Marine Electric.
Q: What makes Ward’s unique to the marine industry?
It’s not one thing we do that sets us apart; it’s everything we do. If you are out in the middle of the ocean, you don’t want to have to worry that your gauges or generators aren’t working. Our customers range from weekend boaters to large luxury yacht owners and everyone in between. We are able to provide inside and outside technicians who can service vessels in any port of call, an engraving department, painting department, an incredible sales team and more. Our personal customer service and family oriented atmosphere also set us apart from the rest.
Q: Water and electricity combined does tend to pose problems. How have you managed to avoid hazards and problems over the last 60 years?
Today’s megayachts are marvels of electrical engineering. Their sage operation is inherently dependant upon the failsafe operation of their electrical systems so safety is always our number one goal. We keep our finger on the pulse of the industry and one of the best parts of having such long-term employees is that we can work with our electricians and even our sales force to continue education and training as the industry changes.
We believe education is the key to success and we have the ability to work with ABYC, RENA, LLOYD’S, CFR, and ABS standards to name a few. We also have quarterly training from various vendors, either updating technical specs or introducing new products. We also look to educate the customers as well with newsletters, notifications and assistance with all their boating needs. An educated boater is a safe boater.
Q: It is amazing that Ward’s is a third-generation, family run business. Can you tell us more about that?
The key word for us is family. Ward Eshleman Sr., my grandfather, started the business in 1950 and Ward Jr., my father, took the helm in 1983. My brother, Ward Eshleman III, and I both work here and the fourth generation, our five children, has already started to grow. That aside, our entire staff is one big family. We share birthdays, holidays, weddings, divorces, funerals and new babies. We have fathers and sons, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters and even in-laws who all work here together. The entire “family” shares in the profits and losses and two-thirds of our management team has been with the company over 25 years. Over the last 60 years there have been changes in the industry, the economy and the lives of our employees but we work as a team to get through it. No matter what changes, the company’s core values never have.
