3A Marine Service , Inc. is a marine sales and service business, servicing and selling boats to 45 feet and all types of recreational marine power.

Prior to 1981, 3A Marine Service was a proprietorship owned by Edwin Lofgren who was a full time high school teacher and part time at the business.

The business grew by leaps and bounds together with the high-energy economy of the 1980s and public interest in boating.

Two significant steps were taken by the company in response to the above-mentioned growth. First, 3A Marine Service was incorporated and secondly, the land and buildings that house the business were purchased.

This growth was chiefly spawned by our service orientation. Everything was, and is today, driven by Customer Service, and structured around a service center. Today, 3A Marine Service has an excellent reputation as one of the best marine service facilities in Massachusetts, and for Customer Service. This service, is, and will remain a focal point for the business.

By 1988, growth was admittedly a management threat to business. The accountant for the business gave Mr. Lofgren a choice - run the business full time or sell to someone who would. The former route was chosen.

Controlled, managed growth was a successful plan, and 3A Marine Service prospered until the recession hit.

Although the business took its hits with this recession, once again a plan was developed to stay the course and to ensure the future. The business retreated into its service base, which became its chief profit center. Inventories were drastically cut to match the downsizing in sales activity.

A bold step forward was taken in the newly important service department -- expansion. A new shop facility was built on location and two new full time and four new part time technicians were hired and schooled. It worked like a charm ~ people were not buying but needed service more than ever to stay on the water. There were twelve major marine dealerships on the South Shore of Boston prior to the recession. 3A Marine Service was one of the three that remained at the conclusion of the recession.

In the 1980s, we developed a need for additional service space and boat storage. The two acres at 292 Lincoln Street were rented (and later purchased) from an old friend. This land and building gives us a second service center and a solid storage facility. We now employ five full time and four part time technicians and we have maintenance and repair work that occupies us year round. In fact, service demand often strains our capabilities.

Sales rebounded in 1994 and sales growth has exceeded expectations.

We now handle three major boat lines: Four Winns, Parker, and Seaswirl Boats: five major motor lines: Mercruiser, Volvo, Johnson, Evinrude and Tohatsu. We also sell and service Yamaha pre-packaged outboards.

We have developed a Parts And Accessories Department which has become a very successful additional profit center, managed by Melanie Krause, who is set up as the heir-designate for the business. Melanie is computer literate and educated, and has led the company in this direction in the bookkeeping, service and parts department, with links to suppliers. With Melanie's guidance, we have a keen eye on the Internet, and the role it plays in our industry and our own business. Our company web site is very active and is playing a significant role in sales.

With our basic service center nucleus, key lines and an eye to the economy and the future, 3A Marine Service is poised for continued success.

In 2005, 3A Marine Service became one of the first U.S. Marine Industry 5 Starr Certified Dealers. We consider this to be a great honor and we will strive to continue to excel in facility, operations and customer service to remain a certified dealership.

One other development is worthy of mention. Mr. Lofgren, in the last few years, has had the opportunity to serve the industry outside of the business. 3A Marine Service is a member of Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA), Marine Retailers Association of America (MRAA), and Save the Harbor/Save the Bay (SHSB). Mr. Lofgren is a past President of MMTA and serves on the Board of Directors for SHSB, MMTA and MRAA. One interesting sidelight here is SHSB participation in the development of the newly created Boston Harbor Islands Park. Here we will push for preservation, for managed access, and perhaps create a major destination for recreational boaters right here in our area.