Press Release
ONAWAY, MICH. – Moran Iron Works (MIW) and Superior Boats, LLC (Superior Boats) have
entered into a teaming agreement to merge their respective talents. Superior Boats brings
decades of experience with marine architecture, fabrication, marketing, and vessel operating to
the team. The idea to merge these two companies was born between John Madigan (Pictured
Rocks Kayaking) and Tom Moran (Moran Iron Works). The goal is to bring the best value to the
customer by providing insights of a successful owner / operator in Mr. Madigan and the
ingenuity of a high-quality fabricator in Mr. Moran. "Mr. Moran has built an impressive vessel
manufacturing facility with highly qualified craftsmen and it is an honor to be part of this
organization," said Madigan.
Both organizations recognized the potential such a venture could produce, so Superior Boats
was born. The goal of joining forces is to realize a vision of both entrepreneurs; the creation of
a serial product that could be delivered consistently and generate repeat business through
quality and performance of the vessels.
The venture is currently working on its first order which began in late November of 2023. This
vessel is a state-of-the-art vessel design by Sterling Marine, LLC to allow visitors the ability to
travel to sites by boat, deploy the kayaks, and have the safety of a vessel with them in case of a
change in weather or other safety issue that might occur to be removed quickly and brought
back to the dock. The vessel will be a kayak deploying and retrieving platform for tourists in the
region. The vessel is was delivered early May 2024.
About Moran Iron Works:
Moran Iron Works (MIW) is a dynamic fabrication facility that provides a full range of custom
design, engineering, fabrication, installation, service, repair, and modification services
throughout a number of industries including marine, power, industrial and hydro. MIW is a
HUBZone-certified Small Business Concern, founded in 1978 by Thomas Moran and headquartered in Onaway, Michigan. For more information visit moraniron.com
About Superior Boats:
Superior Boats, LLC (Superior Boats) is a company that was founded by John Madigan for the
purposes of teaming with Moran Iron Works for the sale, production, and delivery of turn-key
vessels to clients nationally. Other entities tied to this organization are Sentinel Boats, Pictured
Rocks Cruises, Pictured Rocks Kayaking, Sterling Marine Architects. With these other
endeavors, Superior Boats brings a combined 60 plus years of marine design, fabrication, and
owner operating to the team.
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