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Friday, March 29, 2024

Senior Beats Competitors After Just Two Years in the Market

Last updated Wednesday, July 3, 2013 14:10 ET

Gary Lee Carter of ITR Marine was awarded the title of Master Dealer 2012 by Webasto Thermo & Comfort North America.

Fort Lauderdale / Miami, US, 07/03/2013 / SubmitMyPR /

ITR Marine has competed successfully with much larger competitors to grow its business locally, nationally and internationally. The Master Dealer of 2012 awarded to ITR Marine at the Miami International Boat Show was one of four given out. The other three went to: Sure Marine of Seattle, an established local retail and service company; West Marine; and Land N’ Sea. The latter two are both nationwide companies providing supplies to dealers and retail markets.

Dave Wollard, director marine division, presented the awards at Webasto's Series 40 Sunroof launch reception during the show. “Webasto owes much of its growth and success to these well-respected companies,” said Wollard. “We were glad to publicly congratulate them and show our appreciation for their outstanding work and continued growth in 2012.”

How it happened

In March of 2010, Gary Lee Carter, at age 69, used his corporation Integrated Trade Resources, Inc. dba ITR Marine, and contracted to sell 143 air conditioning units. Although he had no experience in this market, he accomplished his goal in 16 months – resulting in a 100% return to investors.

In the meantime, ITR Marine became a Master Dealer for Webasto Marine Products, selling their current line of air conditioners, FCF line of self-contained 5,000 -24,000 BTU 115 and 230 Volt air

conditioners, the Blue Cool Premium line of chilled water air conditioners, Air Top and Hydronic Diesel Heaters and Sun Roofs.

Additionally, ITR Marine became a dealer for:

Dometic and MarvAir, competing lines of Marine Air Conditioning.
Nautic Air and Dometic Breathe Easy Air Purification Systems used to improve the quality of air on boats, removing odors, mold and other airborne pathogens
Indel, Webasto, Vitrifrigo, Dometic, Norcold, and Raratan lines of refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, and water heaters
Iwaki, Pan World, March and Depco Pumps
First Watch safety and flotation gear
Odyssey Batteries
CWR Electronics

This was all accomplished during a severe downturn in the boating market – even more serious than the depression in the national market. ITR Marine accomplished this growth by developing a dealer network, utilizing eBay, working the Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Boat Shows, vending at several local flea markets yearly, and developing a practical website at www.itrmarine.com/

Continued growth

In March of 2013, ITR Marine joined with John Ladue, former owner of Permafrost Air Conditioning and Refrigeration of St. Martin, to create ITR Marine Service, which provides expert, dependable service for the customers of ITR Marine. John’s experience in St. Martin was primarily with the larger motor and sailing craft and super yachts that serviced the lower Caribbean.

For more information contact Gary Carter at (772) 342-4968 or 1-800-552-4360 or visit www.itrmarine.com