ACE Supercentre at White Marl, St Catherine

The Hi-Pro division of Jamaica Broilers Group, known more for its marketing of animal feeds and farm supplies, has landed the exclusive dealership for three watersports brands.

The company's ACE Superstore, which has diversified beyond agriculture into equipment and hardware, will now sell the Hobie Cat, Kawasaki and Carolina Skiff/Carolina Sea Chaser brands to "growing and lucrative fishing and leisure markets" in Jamaica.

Hi-Pro says the market for the products is about US$2 million to US$3 million - which converts to $140 to $210 million - Jamaica Broilers Vice-President Conley Salmon told the Financial Gleaner Thursday. But he declined comment on projected revenues from the product diversification.

Hobie is a California-based operation which sells boats, and other watersport equipment and clothing. Carolina Skiff is a boat company in the United States.

Kawasaki is as well known for its jet skis as its motorbikes.

Salmon said HI-Pro is the first local company to go after those dealerships.

There are at least 200 Hobie Cat sailing boats on the island which are owned by individuals, as well as by resorts along the north coast.

Under its deal with Hobie, boat owners who before now had to import parts individually, can now turn to ACE for supplies.

The Hi-Pro subsidiary will distribute three models of Hobie Cat sail boats - the Hobie Bravo, Hobie Wave and Hobie Getaway - capable of seating two to six persons, depending on the model.

The store will also stock Kawasaki jet skis and motorbikes, as well as Caroline Skiff and Carolina Sea Chaser motor boats for fishing and leisure, together with spare parts for all the models.

"We already have the shop floor space at ACE Supercentre to display these items and we will use existing inventory capital to acquire stock," said Salmon.

business@gleanerjm.com