Published on: 06 October 2022
Barrus is pleased to announce the appointment of Craig Gutteridge as area sales manager (South) for the Marine Leisure Division.
Craig has spent almost all his career in the marine industry working for Rutherford Marine, based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Rutherford Marine is the sole importer and wholesale distributor of Mercury Outboards and MerCruiser Inboard engines, in addition to an extensive portfolio of Parts and Accessory brands. Craig held several sales, marketing, and managerial roles during his 12 years with Rutherford Marine, progressing to divisional director before immigrating to the UK with his family.
Craig explained, “My experience with Rutherford Marine has provided me with extensive commercial skills in sales and multi-channel product distribution as well as managing and developing OEM accounts, cultivating dealer relationships, and implementing innovative marketing programmes.”
In his new role, Craig will support Barrus’s well-established network of marine dealers and promote the outboard, boat and equipment product portfolio with brands including Mariner, Mercury, Zodiac and Bombard Boats and the extensive Barrus Marine Equipment line-up.
Looking forward to joining Barrus, Craig commented, “I am excited to meet and build relationships with Barrus’s existing customer base, maximise sales opportunities and develop and grow potential new business areas for the company. Barrus not only offers industry-leading brands and equipment, but the chance to be part of an amazing team with years of experience combined with an innovative and visionary mindset attracted me to this role. I have a passion for water sports, and boating and fishing have certainly influenced my career path.
“Craig’s experience makes him a perfect fit for this position as he has worked in a similar operation at Rutherford Marine,” commented Ben Allen, general manager of the Marine Division at Barrus. “I am sure he will relish the challenge of being part of a dynamic sales and marketing team with ambitious plans for the future.”
