Water Bonnet Manufacturing - Taylor Made Systems

A Century of Taylor Made
1908 Company founded by Nelson A. Taylor
1945 Offered first marine products, canvas covers
and tops
1946 Willard Taylor is named President upon his
father Nelson’s passing
1951 Introduced the first wraparound plexiglas windshield
1959 Established windshield, canvas, and warehouse facility in
Waxahachie, TX
1960 Introduced the first curved TaylorHMade ® Safety Glass
windshield, the “Safety Glass Holiday Windshield”
1963 Established new windshield and canvas facility in Kendallville, IN
1964 Developed first glass windshield with a walk-through door
1966 Introduce the first rotationally-molded boat fenders —
“Hull-Gard Inflated Vinyl Fenders”
1968 Purchased first glass tempering facility in Payne, OH
1971 First company to offer vinyl fenders “Guaranteed for
the life of your boat”
1973 Construction of the “South Blvd.,” Gloversville, NY
windshield facility
1977 Established Marine Air Systems
1979 Willard Taylor enters into a partial retirement, Bill Jones
named President
1984 Acquisition of the Marine and R.V. division of Mansfield
Plumbing Products to become Sealand Technology
1985 TaylorHMade ® takes curved glass technology to new heights and ushers in
the modern era of boat windshield design by introducing the first Clear
Curve ® windshield
1986 Jim Taylor named President / Patent “J-Bottom”
windshield extrusion — a significantly improved,
unique shape that allowed for a better and easier fit
of windshields to the deck of any boat
1987 Acquisition of Templemore, Ireland glass facility
1990 Acquisition of Norceram Products / Introduction of first Taylor Made
stainless steel windshields
1994 Established new windshield and canvas facility in Tifton, GA
1996 Jim Taylor named Chairman, Dennis Flint named President / Taylor
Made pioneers the art of welding stainless steel — previously
considered highly problematic, if not impossible — and introduces the
first welded-stainless marine glazing products
1997 Acquisition of Spenco Manufacturing
1998 Acquisition of Aldon Industries / Established Taylorbrite ® LLC —
advanced lighting solutions for the marine, RV, and truck markets
1999 Acquisition of Marine Development Corporation
2000 New glass bending furnace in Ohio ($14M investment to date)
2001 Acquisition of Condaria
2002 Divested of Sealand Technology / Introduced our
first Power Roof System, taking the lead in poweractuated
glazing products for the Marine Industry
2003 Acquisition of Perimeter Industries / Established
new windshield facility in Reynosa, Mexico / Divested of Taylor Made
Environmental (Marine Air Systems and associated acquisitions)
2004 Merger with Trend Marine / Acquired control of New Zealand company
2005 Acquisition of Water Bonnet Manufacturing / Introduced the Integrated
Tower System (ITS), melding wakeboard towers and windshields into
one streamlined unit
2006 Introduced the Eclipse Flush-glazed Sportboat Windshield System,
further fusing sleek automotive styling & marine windshield design
2007 Investment in Tempabend / Debut ITS Hardtop version
2008 100 years in business!
Whether designing
smaller pleasure craft
or luxury megayachts,
OEMs can turn to
the Taylor Made
Marine group…
Ever since a century ago, when Nelson
A. Taylor put the finishing touches on his first custom
canvas piece, the TaylorHMade ® name has been
known for its legendary quality, innovation, and
unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction.
Our company grew and expanded quickly, along
with our quest for innovation in new applications,
processes, and products — including the introduction
of the first wraparound acrylic windshield for
motor boats.
Today, Taylor’s entrepreneurial spirit, high standards
of excellence, and dedication to customer
service have firmly established us as the world’s
largest manufacturer of marine glazing systems and
the undisputed leader in framed glass windshield
technology. We also offer a large selection of
custom-quality marine products, including canvas,
deck hatches, portlights, and doors.
But success has not made us complacent. Our goal
is to continue to meet — and exceed — your expectations
in the years ahead by providing innovative,
high quality, state-of-the-art solutions to the boating
industry’s toughest challenges... And that,
clearly, gives you the OEM advantage.