In an industry where handshake deals still matter and reputation carries more weight than marketing budgets, Venture Trailers has carved out something rare: a manufacturing philosophy that treats innovation not as disruption, but as evolution.
When you’ve been in the marine business for more than 30 years, you learn a thing or two about what matters. For Richard Cromwell of Maritime Solutions in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, success has always come down to one thing: reliability.
When you’ve been in the marine business for more than 30 years, you learn a thing or two about what matters. For Richard Cromwell of Maritime Solutions in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, success has always come down to one thing: reliability.
At Venture Trailers, innovation does not mean pursuing shiny objects or holding a brainstorming session once every few years. It’s a daily practice. “If there’s one thing Matt and I are always doing,” says Stephanie Van Slyke, CEO of Venture Trailers, “it’s looking around and asking, ‘How can we make this better?’
Five years ago, Tyler Kane walked into Venture Trailers for a job interview, and promptly canceled all his others. “I met Matt and Steph,” he recalls. “And, I saw the opportunity that was just all over the place on the production side of things. I decided to cancel all my other interviews and accept Venture’s offer upfront.”
As tariffs, supply chain shifts and price hikes continue to ripple through manufacturing, Venture Trailers is quietly holding the line. “We’ve been getting price increases since February of this year,” says Stephanie Van Slyke, owner.
Why Diamond Marine ditched the middleman, partnered with Venture, and built a reputation around reliability.
Over 20 years ago, Diamond Marine, an established boat dealer in East Haven, Connecticut, was growing fast. But their trailer supplier wasn’t keeping up. Inventory was unreliable. Delivery times slipped. And customers were losing patience.
Walk through the doors of Venture Trailers on any given day, and you might find yourself in the middle of a nacho bar, a holiday-themed raffle, or a Friday afternoon cocktail hour. But don’t mistake this for fluff. Having fun is part of a much deeper commitment to a workplace culture rooted in appreciation, recognition, and respect.
When it comes to selling boat trailers, choosing the right manufacturer to stock your lot isn’t just about picking a brand—it’s about finding a partner that helps your dealership succeed. Let’s face it, any trailer can tow a boat, but the manufacturer you choose should also deliver reliability, service, and support to make your job easier.
Five Questions to Ask Before Choosing Your Trailer Supplier Partner
When Sheriff Charles Miller of Salem County, New Jersey needed help with his boat trailer, he wasn’t expecting much. Like most of us, he’d grown accustomed to transactional customer service: call in, wait days for a response, get basic help, move on. But when he contacted Venture Trailers and spoke to Dennis, parts and warranty manager, his attitude completely changed.
In the competitive waters of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, Jerry’s Majestic Marine operates among seven of the nation’s top 100 boat dealers. As a family-owned business, they needed a way to maintain their edge while staying true to their values of exceptional customer service and product quality.
It’s not the product, it’s the company itself, says Matt Van Slyke of Venture Trailers. This simple philosophy has been the cornerstone of their success in the boat trailer industry for over 37 years, shaping everything from daily operations to long-term strategy.
When Tara Betz walked through Venture Trailers’ doors for the first time in 2007, she was just a 20-year-old community college graduate happy to be starting her career. “I was just super excited to have an office job and start adulting,” she recalls. Eighteen years later, that excitement hasn’t faded—it’s only grown deeper, shaped by countless interactions with dealers, coworkers, and the extended Venture family.
When you step into Venture Trailers’ Baltimore facility today, you’ll find a modern manufacturing operation complete with automation, customized work orders, and streamlined processes. But spend a few minutes talking with owners Stephanie and Matt Van Slyke, and you’ll quickly understand that while the technology may be cutting edge, the company’s core values remain firmly rooted in its 1988 founding principles.
Make some waves … 2023 Boat Shows are underway!
Get the complete list of boat shows below.
A good boat show combines the elements of a convention, a reunion, a swap meet, and a treasure hunt all in one event. They can be big or small but they all share one key element: lots of boats, accessories, and information, all in one place filled with people like you who love being on the water.
Get your Beginner’s Guide to boat shows below:
Another New Year is upon us and this is the perfect time to set your intentions for the upcoming boating season.
Are you going to get out on the water more?
Are you going to purchase new safety equipment to have the safest season possible?
Are you going to invest in new gear, or possibly a new boat, and show up at the marina like #newboatwhodis?
Regardless of what resolutions you choose, Discover Boating has two really important ones that you need to make sure you have checked off your list.
Click the link below to read their list of resolution ideas.
New Year’s Resolution Ideas For Boaters
The laws regulating the private use of trailers, including trailered boats, are determined by each state, and there are some key differences in those regulations state-to-state. Your first step should be to research the laws for your state and any other states in which you may be towing your boat. This information is available from your state department of transportation.
Click on the button to get more information now!
Disc brake “Lot Lock”. Do you know what that is? Test your knowledge by clicking the button below!