Swell Krell
1/30/2007 10:38:16 AM by Sandy Lindsey
Langer-Krell Marine Electronics’ president, Bobby Krell, prides himself on keeping up with technology, which is why his company will prosper well past the four decades it already has under its belt.
For more than 40 years, Langer-Krell Marine Electronics, located on the Miami River, has been at the forefront of marine technology.
“The key to our success is changing with the technology,” says Bobby Krell, president, whose father founded the firm. “We work hard to stay ahead of customer demand. Boat owners are becoming more sophisticated and educated regarding all forms of technology. They have in their house a flat panel monitor, satellite television and mobile phones at home, that they want to have on their yachts. We have to keep up with the general technology available to the masses.”
A typical Langer-Krell client may want to go cruising for a few days, a few weeks, or longer, or be able to sneak a busman’s holiday and still check in with the office. The modern yacht almost always has a telephone, Internet, fax and satellite entertainment system on board. Today’s multi-function display units not only present critical navigation data, but can incorporate cameras for security and equipment monitoring purposes. The latest additions to the “must-have” list is FLIR infrared cameras for navigation and security at night. And just about every yachtsman wants to have home theatre movie access available throughout the boat.
“We’re completely driven by the consumer,” says Krell. “The firm constantly deals with unending change. We have to go where the equipment is going, where the industry is going. The marine electronics field is constantly improving in response to consumer demand.”
When not dealing with state-of-the-art paraphernalia and all the details it entails, Krell enjoys using one of his four boats, which range from a sportfisherman, which works equally well for cruising, down to a single-engine inflatable.
“I’m an avid boater. I spend virtually all of my spare time on the water,” admits Krell. His family is equally enthusiastic about all aspects of water pursuits. “My father gave me a love of the water and I’m passing that love on to my children, who are now college age.” Krell, his wife and two children have run the gamut of watery adventures from diving blue holes in the Bahamas to swimming with sawfish and manta rays, as well as waterskiing and surfing.
“The water has been and continues to be a lifelong passion for me,” he adds. “We’ve done just about everything on the water that can be done, whether the pursuit is fast or slow, over or under the sea.” Krell did some serious powerboat racing in the 1970s, both in offshore and outboard classes.
“In the 1980s, I had to go work for a living,” he laughs. As the leading provider of marine electronics for Florida and the Caribbean, the company maintains a large inventory, representing products from virtually every major marine electronics manufacturer. Krell plans to move into the future with the same combination of quality service and attention to detail that has served the company well for the last 40 years. While he is going to be very busy, we know that won’t keep him off the high seas for long.