Native Watercraft has been voted “2008 Manufacturer of the Year” for boats, an honor announced at the recent Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Salt Lake City, Utah by the publishers of Canoe & Kayak Magazine. The award was determined by votes cast by store owners and buyers at 384 specialty stores that sell Canoe & Kayak.

“Native Watercraft has charged into the industry with an unheard-of capacity for innovation, detail, customer service and on-time delivery for such a new company,” notes Jim Marsh, Canoe & Kayak Advertising Director. “Feedback I have received indicates that retailers feel boats like the Ultimate have been driving new types of customers into their stores. Others expressed that shelf appeal of the product was a driving force behind their vote.”

“We appreciate this indication of confidence by our retailers in the brand and in our team,” comments Andy Zimmerman, President and CEO of Legacy Paddlesports, parent to the Native Watercraft brand. “Since the brand’s birth two years ago, we have truly focused on offering, high quality and great service to the specialty retail trade. We will continue this commitment in an effort to grow the universe of end users, and to do so profitably for both our customers and our company.”