Dagger Consolidates in South Carolina

Easley, S.C.—Watermark is moving the majority of its Dagger subsidiary's operations in Harriman, Tenn., to Easley, S.C., where Watermark is headquartered.

The move will let Watermark consolidate its boat division, which includes the Perception brand. Full operations will continue in Harriman through December.

Jim Clark, the boat division president, said the move will help the company better serve retailers.

"With customer service under one roof, we will streamline our service process, resulting in single-order entry, single invoicing and reduced freight costs," Clark added.

Dagger's rotomolding manufacturing operations, research and development, marketing, customer service and sales will move to South Carolina. The Harriman site will continue to produce canoes and composite boats under the Dagger and Perception brands.

A core group of Dagger's upper managers will remain with the company although some will change duties. Dagger founder Joe Pulliam continues as vice president of design and development, and Mike Steck continues as Dagger's marketing manager.

Doug Ragan, Dagger's general manager and vice president of sales, becomes vice president of specialty sales for the Watermark boat division. Tony Lee becomes the boat division's director of product design and development.

Watermark is also investing in a new research and development facility in Easley that promises to be one of the industry's largest investments in product design and development. It's expected to be ready in the first quarter of 2002.

—J. Michael McGovern