Viking Yachts celebrating 59 years
by Viking Yachts 31 Mar 2023 17:38 PDT
Viking's main manufacturing facility in New Gretna, New Jersey © Viking Yachts
Tomorrow marks our 59th anniversary - and we're stronger than ever as we head into our 60th year as a continuously family-owned and operated boatbuilding company. Above: A recent aerial image of Viking's main manufacturing facility in New Gretna, New Jersey.
Founded by brothers Bill and Bob Healey in 1964, Viking built wooden fishing and cruising yachts for several years before transitioning to fiberglass. Since those early years, we've climbed the marine industry ladder to become the No. 1 boatbuilder of sportfishing yachts and center consoles in the world.
The premiere this year of the Viking 90 and Valhalla 55 - our two new flagships - reasserted our commanding position and commitment to building a better boat every day. With our sister company Princess Yachts America's luxury cruising yachts, the Viking Marine Group possesses the most comprehensive selection of premium boats in the industry.
"It's amazing how far we've come," says Rudy Dalinger, Viking's longest tenured boatbuilder who was hired by Bill Healey in September of 1964. "The leadership of the Healey family has been the most important part of that success. Bill Healey was incredibly committed right from the start, and he knew that the people - the boatbuilders - were the backbone of the company."
Bill's son, President and CEO Pat Healey, has carried on that philosophy. "It's been passed on from generation to generation," says Pat. "We treat our boatbuilders like family."
Three generations strong. Pat Healey, Bill Healey, Bob Healey and Bob Healey Jr.
Pat with his children: Sean, Kaitlyn and Justin. Like their father, they grew up at Viking and take great pride in their various roles at Viking Yachts and Valhalla Boatworks.
Above: Lines 1 and 2, where we build our largest Vikings - the 68, 72, 80 and new 90. We currently have 1,260 boatbuilders working at our main plant, and another 258 at our second New Jersey manufacturing facility - Viking Mullica - where the Valhalla Boatworks V-33, V-37, V-41 and V-46 are built.
Part of the company's continuous growth has been the addition of more than a half dozen subsidiaries over the years, which includes the establishment of the Viking Yacht Service Center, Palm Beach Towers and Atlantic Marine Electronics more than 20 years ago.
We'll be celebrating our birthday all weekend on social media, with plenty of vintage photography of Vikings through the years. (We've delivered more than 5,000 boats!) Follow along @vikingyachtcompany and @valhallaboatworks.