FB Marine Group Creates ‘Virtual Dealership’ Solution

ByMatt Trulio March 23, 2020May 16, 2020

With marinas and launch ramps in South Florida shut down until further notice in response to social-distancing concerns—a key element of federal, state, and local municipality strategies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic—FB Marine Group is taking its act on the road, literally and figuratively. The Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-headquartered company, has a mobile fleet of 13 service technicians making house calls to waterfront homes with boats at docks and on lifts throughout the area.

South Florida marine dealership tackling economic shutdown head-on.

The company, which currently has most of its administrative staff working remotely, has dubbed the program its Mobile Marine Unit.

“All of their vans are equipped with parts, tools and disinfectant products,” said Kim Sweers, who operates FB Marine Group with her husband, Randy. “We assign them their jobs the night before or early in the morning and off they go.”

In addition, through its Porter Team, FB Marine Group also has created a parts and boat delivery service as part of its “Customer Experience Strategy.”

Sweers said that the company’s technology partners including Citrix, Lightspeed, Boats Group and Level 5 to name a few have made it possible for the company’s essential services—including boat sales and delivery— to go virtual. “We had a client reach out to us over the weekend,” she said. “We sent photos, came to an agreement on price quickly. Our F&I department is handling contract paperwork and financing. The boat will be delivered, fueled up, washed, and completely sanitized at the customer’s dock by Friday.”

FB Marine Group Creates ‘Virtual Dealership’ Solution

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