MINNEAPOLIS, December 15, 2016 — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced recently that SeaDek Marine Products has come on board to support MRAA’s efforts to field and finalize a retail compensation and benefits study.
As a manufacturer of non-skid, closed-cell EVA traction products, SeaDek has demonstrated a deep commitment to supporting the marine dealer body with its new membership with the MRAA and its participation in the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo. SeaDek COO Serenity Gardner and VP of Marketing/Advertising Jason Gardner have also voiced a desire to help the industry work to solve its workforce issues.
“We talked with the SeaDek team about its sincere interest in supporting industry efforts on the workforce front as far back as the American Boating Congress event,” explains Matt Gruhn, President of MRAA. “We’re honored to work alongside them on this compensation and benefits study, as one of our first steps in identifying and addressing the workforce issues our industry is faced with.”
This first-of-its-kind study has already seen participation from hundreds of retail outlets in the United States and Canada. The deadline to submit compensation data, which will be collected in confidence, is today, December 15th. Retailers have received an invite and two follow-up reminders to date. If they have not received an invite but would like to participate in this survey, please contact Matt Gruhn at matt@mraa.com or 763-333-2421.
This compensation study follows an intensive Workforce Assessment project conducted by MRAA, which outlined that, among other factors, one of the largest issues the marine industry faces in hiring and retaining employees is its ability to compete with the compensation rates of other industries.
“As a fast-growing U.S. manufacturer, hiring and retaining employees is an important issue we face every day,” says Jason Gardner, VP of Marketing for SeaDek Marine Products. “The only way to properly address a complex challenge such as this is with a more comprehensive understanding of the underlying factors at work. We feel that this study will help our industry better comprehend and contend with the issues surrounding this problem.”
The survey itself asks dealers to provide some demographic information, such as geographic location, total revenue category, type of retail operation, employee benefits offered, and service rates, in addition to specific compensation data for 34 common job titles. MRAA partnered with Readex Research, a third-party firm that specializes in self-administered research methods, association research projects, and specifically, salary and benefits surveys to conduct the survey on MRAA’s behalf.
About MRAA
At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the companies that interact with the boater in their community must thrive. Those businesses determine the boater’s experience and are the leading factor in the industry’s success. The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those businesses, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, please call 763-315-8043.
About SeaDek Marine Products
SeaDek manufactures a wide range of EVA non-skid products for OEM boat builders, aftermarket customers, and dealers. In addition to custom products, SeaDek offers an extensive line of retail items, including DIY sheet material, anti-fatigue helm station pads, coaming bolsters, and more. As a safe and comfortable alternative to molded-in non-skid, paint-on textures and other marine traction products currently available, SeaDek provides exceptional traction and aesthetically pleasing stylistic options. Made from UV protected non-absorbent EVA foam, SeaDek utilizes an acrylic-based 3M™ pressure sensitive adhesive for a lasting bond and simple peel-and-stick application. In 2014, SeaDek became an employee owned company with the implementation of an ESOP profit sharing plan. With a wide array of colors, textures, and thicknesses available, there is a place for SeaDek on every boat. Learn more at http://www.seadek.com.
