Great Lakes Marine

What Great Lakes Marine does

Great Lakes Marine is a privately held wholesale distributor of lakefront and marine equipment, founded in 1979 as part of the KMW Group, a diversified conglomerate built by Dave Mehney. The company sources and resells boat lifts, docks, boat trailers, boats, hoist motors, and marine accessories through a network of 250+ dealers across 11 states, principally serving Michigan, Northern Ohio, Northern Indiana, Northeast Illinois, and more recently the East Coast from a new Hinsdale, New Hampshire facility. Great Lakes Marine itself does not manufacture products; its catalog is an aggregation of roughly ten third-party vendor brands (Floe International, Max Manufacturing, Lakeshore Products, Karavan, Lift Tech, Liftco, Boat Lift Boss, HydroSweep, LC Covers, and Varatti Boats), several relationships of which date to the early 1990s and longer.

The operating model is wholesale distribution with two-warehouse inventory positioning for quick dealer replenishment. Headquartered at 5000 36th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI, the company operates a secondary warehouse in Gaylord, MI (historically 45-50% of annual sales) and the Hinsdale, NH location, giving it physical reach across both ends of its distribution territory. Pricing is quote-based through the dealer channel rather than list-priced, and revenue is generated through unit sales to dealers who then resell to end customers. The company runs an ebizcharge-integrated Dealer Portal for order and payment workflows.

Leadership is family-tied: founder Dave Mehney established the KMW Group umbrella (which also includes Skytron, a surgical-equipment company), his son Jim Mehney has been CEO since 2019 after joining in 2015, and Bryant Hutchinson has served as President since 2005, a period the company describes as producing multiple "record-setting sales years." The company has no public revenue disclosure, no external funding on record, and reports a headcount in the 11-50 range, with no material disclosures regarding AI, software platforms, or proprietary technology.

Name

Great Lakes Marine

Legal name

Great Lakes Marine

Website

https://glmarine.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Great Lakes Marine is a privately held wholesale distributor of boat lifts, docks, trailers, boats, and marine accessories, sourcing from ten vendor brands and reselling to 250+ dealers across 11 states from warehouses in Grand Rapids, Gaylord, and Hinsdale, NH.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Equipment Wholesale Distribution

NAICS

Boat Dealers (441222)

SIC

Wholesale-Machinery, Equipment & Supplies (5080)

akta.pro primary industry

Boat & Personal Watercraft (PWC) Retail (CRAMAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Parts, Accessories & Maintenance Supplies Retail (CRAMAIAB), Marine Trailer & Transport Equipment Retail (CRAMAIAL)

Keywords

• Marine equipment distribution
• Boat lift distribution
• Dock systems supply
• Boat trailer distribution
• Marine accessories wholesale

Headquarters

HQ city

Grand Rapids

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Distribution: Great Lakes Marine generates revenue as a wholesale distributor of lakefront products, selling boat lifts, docks, trailers, and marine accessories to a network of 250+ dealers across 11 states. Revenue comes from product sales to dealers who then resell to end customers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Core offering

Great Lakes Marine is a wholesale distributor of lakefront and marine products, including boat lifts, docks, boat trailers, boats, hoist motors, marine covers, and cleaning/accessory products sourced from 10 vendor partners. The company sells exclusively to a network of 250+ authorized dealers across 11 states, stocking inventory at warehouses in Grand Rapids, MI; Gaylord, MI; and Hinsdale, NH to ensure quick product availability.

Product overview

Great Lakes Marine is a distribution business offering waterfront equipment and related products rather than a unified software product. Their portfolio consists of marine equipment sourced from multiple vendor partners, organized around five core product categories: Boat Lifts (from FLOE, Max Manufacturing, Lakeshore Products, Liftco, and Boat Lift Boss), Docks (from FLOE, Max Manufacturing, and Lakeshore Products), Trailers (Karavan and FLOE's Cargo Max/Versa-Max lines), Boats (Varatti Boats), and Accessories (Lift Tech motors, HydroSweep cleaning systems, LC Covers, and Liftco/Lift Boss add-ons). The company operates as a distributor with warehouses in Grand Rapids and Gaylord, MI, plus a new location in Hinsdale, NH, serving 250+ dealers across 11 states.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FLOE International Dock and Hoists Distribution of FLOE International's line of boat lifts, docks (roll-in, floating, and sectional options), and trailers (Cargo Max and Versa-Max) to marine dealers for resale to waterfront customers.
• Max Manufacturing Lifts and Docks Distribution of Max Manufacturing (Max Dock Systems) quality, innovative dock systems and boat lifts for marine dealers across the Great Lakes region.
• Lakeshore Products (LSP) Dock and Hoists Distribution of Lakeshore Products' marine products including vertical boat lifts, cantilever pontoon lifts, PWC lifts, canopy options, and configurable dock systems to marine dealers.
• Liftco PWC Lifts Distribution of Liftco Personal Watercraft (PWC) lifts in 64-inch and 76-inch sizes with accessories including benches, dock ladders, and dock supports to marine dealers.
• Lift Tech Marine Hoist Motors Distribution of Lift Tech Marine AC and DC lift motors with direct drive, wheel drive, PWC, and winch box options featuring built-in safety warning systems, plus accessories including battery cables, motor covers, and remote controls.
• Boat Lift Boss Hoist Motors Distribution of Boat Lift Boss lift systems with Quick-Mount Direct Drive System, plus ladders, stairs, weed rakes, dock benches, and marine accessories to dealers.
• HydroSweep Marine Cleaning System Distribution of HydroSweep chemical-free aquatic vegetation and algae deterrent products, including HydroSweep Pro for vegetation control and deicer capability for off-season use, to marine dealers.
• LC Covers Distribution of LC Covers custom boat lift covers and canopy accessories made with Shelter-Rite vinyl and Sunbrella fabric, including storage nets, zipper doorways, and side curtains, to marine dealers.
• Karavan Trailers Distribution of Karavan boat trailers (featuring SwayControl engineering, QuietTow componentry, ShortFree lighting), personal watercraft trailers, and pontoon trailers ranging from electric minis to 31-foot tritoons to marine dealers.
• Varatti Boats Distribution of Varatti Boats premium powerboats including Z2272 (22-foot, 14 passengers), Z2373 (23-foot, 15 passengers), and Z2474 (24-foot, 16 passengers) with 370 or 430 HP engine options to marine dealers.
• Wholesale Distribution Services Michigan's largest wholesale distributor of lakefront products, providing stocking, logistics, and fulfillment services to 250+ marine dealers across 11 states (Michigan, Northern Ohio, Northern Indiana, Northeast Illinois, and the East Coast from New Hampshire).

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Varatti BoatscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Varatti Boats offers boats featuring unique combination of power, functionality, and style. Models include Z2272 (22ft, 14 passengers), Z2373 (23ft, 15 passengers), Z2474 (24ft, 16 passengers) with 370 or 430 HP options. Partnership since 2023.
• Boat Lift BossminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2021Boat Lift Boss offers lift systems with Quick-Mount Direct Drive System, ladders, stairs, and marine accessories. Products made with high quality standards. Partnership since 2021.
• LiftcominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2021Located in Elkhart, IN, Liftco offers PWC lifts at 64 inches and 76 inches plus accessories like benches, dock ladders, and dock supports. Partnership since 2021.
• LC CoversminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2020LC Covers offers high-quality sewn boat lift covers and canopy accessories since 2001. Products include vinyl options from Shelter-Rite and Sunbrella fabric options. Partnership since 2020.
• Max ManufacturingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2015Max Dock Systems provides quality, innovative dock systems and boat lifts with dedicated management overseeing every stage of production. Partnership since 2015.
• HydroSweepminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2015Dockside Solutions offers HydroSweep Pro for aquatic vegetation and algae control. Chemical-free solutions for waterfront preservation. Partnership since 2015.
• Floe InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2010Floe International founded in 1983 with four facilities in three cities and 300,000+ square feet of production space. Offers boat lifts, docks, trailers, and Varatti Boats. Partnership since 2010 - became main product line in 2014.
• Lift Tech MarinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2009Lift Tech Marine offers AC and DC hoist motors with safety warning systems. Products include direct drive, wheel drive, PWC, and winch box options. Partnership since 2009.
• Karavan TrailerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2002Karavan Trailers builds a reputation for outstanding products and excellent customer service. Offers boat trailers, personal watercraft trailers, and pontoon trailers featuring SwayControl engineering, QuietTow componentry, and ShortFree lighting. Partnership since 2002.
• Lakeshore ProductscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1991Lakeshore Products (LSP) has been manufacturing quality marine products in southern Michigan since 1982. They offer boat lifts (vertical, cantilever pontoon, PWC), dock systems, and accessories. Partnership since 1991.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• FLOE International: FLOE is a manufacturer of boat lifts, docks, and trailers and is GLM's primary vendor partner (and product line since 2014). Not a peer, but a key supplier relationship; relevant because GLM's competitive position depends on FLOE's continued go-to-market through distributors.
• ShoreStation: ShoreStation is a manufacturer of boat lifts and dock systems — historically a key vendor for GLM until the recent transition away from the line. Comparable product offering but operates upstream as a manufacturer/supplier rather than a distributor.
• KMW Group, Inc. (parent): KMW Group is the parent conglomerate that owns GLM alongside unrelated businesses (e.g., Skytron surgical equipment). Not a peer — included because GLM's strategic and capital structure is governed by KMW Group's broader portfolio priorities.

Broad incumbents

• Overton's: Overton's is a large, established marine and watersports retailer/distributor serving boating and PWC customers across the U.S. While broader in product scope and more retail-oriented, it is comparable as a large-scale operator in the recreational marine supply value chain.

Direct peers

• Wholesale Marine: Wholesale Marine supplies marine aftermarket products including dock and lift hardware, trailers, and accessories to dealers and retailers. Closely comparable product mix and dealer-supply model to Great Lakes Marine.
• IMTRA (Industrial Marine Distribution): Imtra distributes marine equipment and accessories including propulsion, hardware, and deck equipment to a dealer/installer network. Comparable as a marine products distributor; overlap with GLM in equipment-focused categories versus recreational boats.
• CWR Wholesale Distribution: CWR distributes marine electronics, accessories, and hardware through a dealer network. Comparable distribution model; differs in product category emphasis (more electronics/technical) versus GLM's emphasis on docks, lifts, and trailers.
• Land 'N' Sea Distribution: Land 'N' Sea is one of the largest wholesale distributors of marine parts and accessories in the U.S., serving a broad dealer network. Directly comparable to GLM's wholesale distribution model, though Land 'N' Sea's catalog skews more toward parts/accessories versus GLM's heavier focus on boat lifts, docks, and trailers.
• Sea Wide Marine Distribution: Sea Wide distributes marine products to dealers across multiple U.S. regions, covering accessories, electronics, and hardware. Directly comparable as a multi-vendor marine wholesale distributor serving a dealer base similar in function to GLM's 250+ dealers.

Regional players

• Dock Rite / Boat Lift Distributors (regional): Regional boat lift and dock distributors operating in overlapping or adjacent territories to GLM's Michigan and Great Lakes footprint. Comparable in product focus (lifts, docks) but generally smaller scale and more geographically limited.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Great-Lakes-Marine-100063624127747
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/great-lakes-marine

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Great Lakes Marine