Freedom Marine Group has a new owner
Yacht brokerage company Freedom Marine Group is being acquired by Technomarine Group, a 35-year-old marine company based in North Palm Beach, Fla.
Industry veteran Dennis Close is set to assume the role of president of Technomarine Yachts, the new yacht sales and charter division for the group. Close also will serve as a managing partner of Technomarine Group, where he will be responsible for growing the international brand and the strategic growth of the company’s core businesses and other responsibilities.
Prior to founding Freedom Marine Group, Close served in executive roles during the past 15 years at marine industry companies such as Rybovich, Cabo Yachts and Brunswick Corp.
A Navy veteran, Close spent nearly 10 years of active duty service in leadership roles while conducting submarine operations at sea, in the shipyard and in the classroom, mentoring young sailors and Marines. An active supporter of veterans groups and non-profit organizations, Close lives in Jupiter, Fla., and is married with two daughters.
“To bring the industry connections and strong reputation of Freedom Marine to a group like Technomarine is a strong move toward developing one of the world’s premier yacht brokerage and charter operations,” he said in a statement. “We will be able to coordinate yacht sales and brokerage with a fully integrated staff and unparalleled customer service. I look forward to the challenges that lay ahead for us all.”
The company will be based in Old Port Cove Marina in North Palm Beach, with additional sales locations in Sarasota, Fla., and North Carolina, and international locations in Panama City, Panama; Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; and Canada. Additional locations are actively planned for the near future.
Technomarine Yachts debuted at the Palm Beach International Boat Show, where it was a title sponsor of the Yachts International Pavilion.
Among other recent Technomarine developments is a $12 million contract for the Island Gardens at Deep Harbour marine construction project on Miami’s Watson Island, which is set to be one of the largest megayacht marinas on the east coast of the United States. The project also will have a 150-key hotel on the waterfront with 360-degree views of Biscayne Bay.
"We are very proud to be involved with this prestigious project, which is having such a national and international impact in the superyacht market. Technomarine is no stranger to such projects, as we are continually setting new, innovative and higher standards in the marina industry space worldwide," Technomarine Group CEO Erik Sanderson said.
