10 Minutes with… Fred Inman Sr. IMCO Marine

For over three decades, California based IMCO Marine has been a market leader in the engineering and manufacture of winning marine components. History has proven that innovators are winners and that why IMCO engineers have developed literally hundred of parts for high performance powerboats and each part is tested thoroughly before reaching the market, We took the opportunity to have a brief chat with Fred Inman Senior who has played a major part in the design and production of components for some of the world’s fastest powerboats.

WOP: SINCE 1976, IMCO HAS BEEN A LEADER IN THE ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING. WHO FOUNDED IMCO AND HOW LONG HAS THE COMPANY BEEN OPERATING?

I, Fred Inman Sr. founded Inman Marine Corporation almost 34 years ago in 1976.

WOP: WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE THE FOUNDING OF IMCO?

I was in the construction trade?

WOP: WHAT IS YOU MAIN LINE OF BUSINESS?

Fabrication, drives and accessory hardware.

WOP: OUTSIDE OF THE USA, WHO IS YOU BIGGEST CLIENT OR WHAT COUNTRY DO YOU DO MOST BUSINESS WITH?

We mostly do business with Europe but Australia is growing as well.

WOP: HOW HAVE YOU FOUND TRADING TO BE IN THE RECESSION?

It’s still slow, in other words: we’re not setting the world on fire here in the U.S. or Worldwide.

WOP: DO YOU THINK THE NEW US GOVERNMENT WILL HELP THE MARINE INDUSTRY?

No I do not. Obama is into the automotive industry and doesn’t seem to be interested in the marine industry.

WOP: AWAY FROM WORK WHAT HOBBIES DO YOU HAVE?

I enjoy golfing, power boating and travelling.

WOP: HOW DO YOU RELAX?

I love watching NASCAR! The entire family gets involved and we enjoy making bets between us on our favourite drivers.

WOP: DOES POWERBOAT RACING HELP YOU BUSINESS OR IS IT MAINLY LEISURE CUSTOMERS?

Powerboat racing is how we started manufacturing drives. We were involved with racing for approximately 10 years but have retired to continue our drive business.

WOP: DO YOU OWN A BOAT YOURSELF AND IF SO, WHAT IS IT?

Yes, we own a 44’ Hallett poker run boat with two 1000 h.p. Paul Pfaff motors. We use it for testing as well as the events we participate in and sponsor.

WOP: IS THERE A COUNTRY IN THE WORLD YOU WOULD LIKE TO VISIT?

Australia and New Zealand. I have many customers and friends that ski race and use our equipment from Australia and New Zealand. It would be nice to see them and get to see the country they grew up in.

WOP: HOW DO YOU SEE IMCO IN 5 YEARS TIME?

I feel it will be a slow process to rebuild business in this state of economy. I’m always on the lookout, researching new ideas for new products as well as working to expand out client base here in the United States as well as Worldwide.

WOP: THANKS FRED FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION.