Viking Yachts: A local company and global leader

To anyone not familiar with the boating industry, Viking Yachts, located on the idyllic Bass River in New Gretna, New Jersey, might sound as if it were simply another quaint mom and pop marina along the Jersey coast, with bait and tackle shop and antiquated ice machine to complete the typical shore scene.

Founded in 1964 by brothers Bill and Robert Healey, Viking is anything but typical or ordinary. With over 800 employees, an 810,000 square foot plant, on-staff medical crew, and on-site power generating and wastewater treatment plants, Viking Yachts is more like a small industrial city than a privately owned business at the Jersey Shore.

It’s the collective efforts of that community of designers, engineers and electricians that continue to create the superior products, making Viking the leading manufacturer of premier sport fishing vessels in the world. Viking produces up to 60 boats a year, each between 42 and 60 feet in length with 90 percent of what goes into each yacht being manufactured on site.

Living up to its mantra “to build a better boat every day,” Viking unveiled its newest and biggest flagship at this year’s Miami International Boat Show, the 92 Convertible. Over 92 feet in length, the 92 Convertible is rightly touted as a showpiece of elegance and luxury. Among the vessel’s numerous appointments are six state rooms, each with private head and shower, master suite with king-size bed and walk-in closet, outside grilling area, mezzanine decks, full galley, dining room, and furnished living room with custom-built teak cabinetry and a 60-inch flat screen television.

Like any good ship, Viking Yachts has seen its fair share of storms. Most notable of these “storms” was the luxury tax. In 1991 Congress levied a 10 percent tax on all luxury items, including boats over $100,000. The tax threw hundreds of boat builders and suppliers out of business and would have sunk Viking Yachts if not for the focused and clearheaded leadership of the Healey brothers. With Viking Yachts suffering an instant 90% percent decrease in business, the Healeys cashed in personal 401Ks and sold real estate holdings to keep the business afloat. Though their quick action forestalled the looming demise of Viking Yachts, it did not change the harsh reality that wealthy consumers had stopped purchasing high-priced luxury items.

For the next two and a half years, as business decreased, a staff of 1,500 workers was reduced to 64, a skeleton crew for a company the size of Viking. With many sleepless nights and countless trips to Capitol Hill, Bill and Bob were unrelenting in their lobbying efforts. In May of 1993 the luxury tax was up for repeal and seemed to be a lost cause for the boating industry. When tabulating the potential votes, Bob concluded there would not be enough to support a repeal.

With the chips down, Bob made a final and critical move that would result in saving what remained of the boating industry from complete collapse. Bob enlisted the help of New Jersey Congressman Bill Hughes, persuading him to change his previous stand on the luxury tax and vote in favor of the repeal. Congressman Hughes’ vote proved to be the swing vote needed to sway the outcome. The legislation was moved past the House of Representatives and onto the Senate. In August of 1993, the luxury tax was successfully repealed. 

The Healeys’ efforts in repealing the luxury tax made them instant heroes among their peers and competitors in the marine industry. In 2003, by a unanimous vote, Bill and Bob were inducted into the National Marine Manufacturers Association Hall of Fame.

Bill’s son Patrick Healey, who serves as Executive Vice President of Viking, explains that Viking holds a 70 percent market share of the sport fishing industry, with 30 percent of its overall business coming from the international market. With business at Viking being as strong as ever, Pat predicts a 10 to 15 percent increase in business over the next three years.

Pat addressed the keys to Viking’s success in the marine manufacturing industry. “It starts with private ownership,” Pat said, “and the continuity of the management. It also has a lot to do with the people who are here. We all work together, not only as a team but as a family.”

As Viking celebrates its 50th year in business, Chief Operating Officer and President Bill Healey maintains the same hands-on approach that he did when he and his brother purchased the mismanaged Peterson-Viking Builders in 1964. He was an iron worker and his brother Bob, a lawyer. Bill’s pride for Viking and love for his employees was evident as he guided Cape May Magazine through the vast Viking plant. Greeting each worker with a friendly hello and a word of encouragement, he expressed his feeling that his staff are not merely workers but people he values as if they were family, citing that many of the people at Viking are second and third generation employees.

Bill is equally proud of Viking’s commitment to maintaining an eco-friendly plant. In 2008 Viking opened their own wastewater treatment plant, allowing them to close the septic field on their property. In addition, Viking installed 798 solar panels, an energy source that has reduced the plant’s CO₂ emissions by 3,000 tons annually. 

At the helm of Viking Yachts, the Healey family maintains a course for the next 50 years. Their pledge to maintaining the highest environmental production standards, building a better boat, and commitment to excellence in the workplace is equal to their concern for the education and welfare of today’s youth. Bob Healey has founded five non-profit charities, including the Catholic School Development, which has funded the installation of solar panels in schools.

This is just another example of the top-down, bottom-up approach that the Healeys have employed for the past fifty years, and the same philosophy that is propelling them into the future.

When visitors arrive at Viking Yachts in New Gretna, 75-year old security guard Joe Kammler is the first to greet them. For nearly 18 years, Joe has manned the main entrance guard house of the 810,000-square-foot Viking plant.

If anyone at Viking can make the claim of “seeing them come and seeing them go,” it’s Joe.

His unwavering allegiance to Viking Yachts is only fitting for what he says is owed back to Viking for the loyalty and kindness that has been shown to him by Viking co-founder Bill Healey and the Healey family. 

Joe tells of Viking’s efforts during Hurricane Sandy to aid many of its 800 plus employees. “In the aftermath of Sandy,” Joe says, “Viking had a large area upstairs loaded with canned goods, clothes, new beds, everything you can think of for any employees who had been displaced from their homes. They do so much for us.”

“Look at me,” Joe said as he fondly recalls a time when Viking Yachts reached out to him in a time of need. “My wife died about a year and a half ago, and I lost everything. Steve Marks, who is the nurse-practitioner here at Viking, helped me find a new place to live. I call Steve my little brother from another mother. Drew, in Human Resources, gave me some gift cards to Walmart so I could get some things I needed. Everyone at Viking is so caring and giving and they never ask for anything back.”

Joe tells how, at a recent company picnic, Bill Healey made the rounds, being sure to speak to everyone. Joe’s fondest story tellsabout Bill Healey’s expression of loyalty to his employees. “For many years Bill stood in the doorway each afternoon at 4:30 to say good night to each employee as they clocked out at the end of the day. And he feels the same toward his customers,” Joe continues. “Bill always says that if you own a Viking boat you are part of the family. Even if the Viking owner bought their boat used from another dealer, Bill sees that person as part of the family.” 

Joe explains that he feels it is such practices that contribute to Viking Yachts’ considerable success. “I don’t know how other companies work, but if they want to be as successful as Viking, I would tell them to learn from Viking and respect people.”

After visiting the Viking Yachts plant, our staff photographer remarked on being impressed with a Viking employee’s description of the company as a Disney World for grownups. “Impressed?”  Joe said, “They create the unimaginable and they do it the right way. How can you not be impressed?”