Zucker Marine Supply Company was founded in 1926 by Albert Zucker with brother Carl joining as a 1/4 partner in 1939. The founders were sons of German immigrants who were taught the value of hard work, education, and high integrity behavior. Starting a business just before the Great Depression was both challenging and defining for the brothers. Like many young businesses, the company did anything possible to generate revenues and profits. In the early years, the company serviced outboard motors, serviced Indian motorcycles, and provided marine supplies for boaters. The founders sacrificed and toiled to build the foundation for a successful business.
In the years following the Great Depression, the American economy grew and flourished. The economic success in America and especially in Cleveland fueled the growth of a middle class with both disposable income and time. Zucker Marine flourished during these growth years as a result. The company opened their first location at the corner of East 53rd and St. Clair in Cleveland, Ohio. The company entered dealer relationships with well-known boat manufacturing companies such as Lyman and Starcraft boats. Carl and Albert shared responsibilities in running and building the business. Tragically, Carl passed away at an early age during the 1950’s. After Carl’s passing, Albert’s twin sons entered the business.
In 1960, Bert and Jack Zucker were recent mechanical engineering graduates from Case Institute of Technology. They both decided to forego other career options and join the family business. Albert, Sr. was now in his 60’s and his twin sons were looking to make an impact on the business. And what an impact these two men had on the business over the next three decades.
Albert and Jack forged new strategic relationships with boat manufacturers who desired quality dealerships to help sell their boats. The years of experience, proven service models, and underlying integrity made Zucker Marine very appealing to many boat manufacturers. The company entered a relationship with Connie Ray from Sea Ray Boats. The upstart boat manufacturer was focused on building high quality cruising boats for the middle class. The Great Lakes market and specifically the South shores of Lake Erie were the ideal location for his boats, and they desired the best representation in this market and Zucker Marine was his choice. Over the next two decades, Albert and Jack grew the business to be the 4th largest boat dealer in America. They grew the business to these heights despite only having one facility which was located 30 minutes from Lake Erie. Truly an impressive and exceptional achievement.
The innovation and leadership provided by the Zucker twins was remarkable. During the tenure, they built the first dockside boat repair service fleet. Their fleet of uniquely designed service trucks along with well trained technicians brought much needed quality and timely service to boaters. The successful dockside service program extended Zucker Marine trucks (and ZM boat flags) from Sandusky to Lake Chautauqua and beyond.
As with many businesses, the transition to the third generation was bumpy. The desire to create better service for their customers and opportunities for Bert and Jack’s children led to the decision to expand the business. The expansion plans called for new dealership locations in Mentor, Avon and eventually Akron. The multi-million-dollar expansion project was conceived and planned in the height of the robust economic times of the mid 1980’s. Unfortunately, the expansion plans and investments were met with unfavorable market conditions. The fateful “Bush tax cuts”, higher interest rates, and other factors led to a severe downturn in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. After 64 years of serving Northeast Ohio’s boaters, the successful business ceased to exist.
We thank you for your service and the many fond memories and lessons that your effort created for all!
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