In a rented building, with a loan from his father, Bob Alkema and his partner opened for business. It was May 22, 1982, 3 days after Bob’s 25th birthday. With borrowed molds, production began at a modest pace of 2 boats per week. Not once did they think from this humble beginning it would turn into a company that by the year 1996 would be the world’s largest manufacturer of custom, high quality ski boats leading the industry with their cutting edge innovations. With Bob gelcoating, Andy Soltero laminating, Steve Marshall making the upholstery and the three of them working together to assemble the boats and take turns making deliveries, the Malibu train had left the station. It wasn’t long before there was a significant backlog of orders and in August ‘82 Randy Woods, Osmin Orellana and Armondo Casillas joined the company. With this crew (5 of whom are still at Malibu today) production was increased to a mind boggling 5 boats per week. Blood, sweat and tears were shed by these young entrepreneurs that first year, but the result was a solid foundation for a company with modest ambitions but great expectations. Malibu built over 100 boats that first year and as their popularity increased, so did sales … at a feverish pace.
Malibu CEO, Robert Alkema’s inception mission focused on supplying ski boats of the absolute best value, performance and quality available to consumers. Today, Malibu celebrates its 20th full season of quality boat building and Robert Alkema’s philosophy has turned Malibu into the largest custom ski boat manufacturer in the world and one of the most technologically advanced companies in the marine industry. Innovations such as the first on-board computer system, patented swivel head pylon, patented Fiberglass Engine Chassis System; the Wedge and smoother riding hull designs keep Malibu on the cutting edge of technology. Based on the belief that the success of the corporation is a direct result of the employees’ commitment to quality, Malibu Boats initiated an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in 1988 -- An ESOP designed to encourage employees to consider long-term employment with the corporation by providing them with the benefits of mutual ownership.
Malibu’s perspective is one of necessary change -- adapting to the current needs of aspiring skiers and families alike. The result has been an unprecedented 9 Ski Boat of the Year awards this decade from industry publications, 11 World Record performances behind a Malibu, General Motor’s selection as a partner in the Corvette Limited Edition Ski Boat project, and the Impact Design of the Year award from Performance Report Wakeboard for Malibu’s Wedge.
The technology and designs have evolved since the very first Malibu Skier, but the company philosophy and the customer intimacy that made Malibu so popular in the beginning, is still flourishing as they approach their third decade of boat building.
