COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 336612

Boat Building

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

8companies1954–1986founding years8still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedPolaris Industries Inc.FoundedPolaris Industries Inc.
1954
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedFountain Powerboats Industries, Inc.FoundedFountain Powerboats Industries, Inc.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedMacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc.FoundedMacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedGenmar Holdings, Inc.FoundedGenmar Holdings, Inc.
1986
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Polaris Industries Inc. →
Active · founded 1954
Polaris Industries Inc.
Polaris Industries Inc. →
Active · founded 1954
Polaris Industries Inc.
Fountain Powerboats Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1979
Fountain Powerboats Industries, Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary Fountain Powerboats, Inc., is one of the…
Fountain Powerboats Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1979
Fountain Powerboats Industries, Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary Fountain Powerboats, Inc., is one of the…
MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc. →
Active · founded 1984
MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc.
MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc. →
Active · founded 1984
MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc.
Genmar Holdings, Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Genmar Holdings, Inc.
Genmar Holdings, Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Genmar Holdings, Inc.
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