Thetford Marine Products Debut at Miami Beach Show

MIAMI BEACH Ð Thetford Corporation is introducing the broadest range of new refrigerators, toilets and boat-care products for the marine industry in the companyÕs 44-year history.

The company previewed three new Norcold refrigerator lines, a ÒrevolutionaryÓ new manual-pumping toilet and an all-new ÒgreenÓ line-up of marine-care products at the International BoatBuildersÕ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) in Miami Beach, Fla. (Oct. 10-12).

Thetford has invested more than $2-million in the development of new marine products set for introduction in 2008, according to President and CEO Jack Tierney.

ÒThis is our largest single marine new-product launch in history,Ó Tierney said. ÒThe innovations weÕve showcased at IBEX meet boater needs, are environmentally friendly and clearly demonstrate our commitment to this important market segment.Ó

New products unveiled at the companyÕs 400-square-foot IBEX exhibit included:
New 1.7-, 2.7- and 3.1-cubic-foot Norcold refrigerators and freezers with contemporary styling, space-saving designs and energy-efficient features,
ComfortMateª, a new-model manual-pumping toilet, that offers best-in-segment styling, comfort and overall performance, and
Twelve all-new marine-care products packaged in bright green, recyclable containers, including a deck cleaner, foaming mildew remover, liquid wax and foaming canvas cleaner.
The company introduced nine Norcold-brand 0740-model 1.7-cubic-foot refrigerators that will replace its popular 0040-models and nine new 2.7-cubic-foot 0751-models to replace its 0051 line-up. New 788 Series side-by-side, undercounter refrigerator/freezers also debuted at the IBEX show.

ÒThese Ônext-generationÕ refrigerators are specially designed for marine use,Ó said Kevin Phillips, ThetfordÕs vice president of sales and marketing. ÒThey feature contemporary styling with front-mounted stainless-steel or black-panel doors, heavy-duty hinges and easy-to-access controls.Ó

Phillips said the companyÕs new ComfortMateª toilet offers a Òrevolutionary new designÓ that Thetford expects to become the marine toilet of choice in the future.

ÒComfortMateª combines best-in-class comfort with a compact footprint and distinctive residential styling,Ó he added. ÒOur research indicates that it provides what boaters want.Ó

The company also unveiled its new Thetford Marine brand name and an environmentally-friendly line of aftermarket marine-care products at IBEX.

ÒThetford Marine will be the marketing umbrella for a wide range of products that we will introduce for the boating community in the coming years,Ó Phillips said. ÒWe plan to support our branding efforts with a variety of advertising, sales promotion and general marketing activities as well.Ó

IBEX featured more than 800 marine-industry suppliers displaying the latest in boatbuilding products and technology. In addition, more than 60 seminars, exhibitor workshops and demonstrations were held during the conference.