The first key element of Silver Ship’s strategy is multiple growth opportunities. R&D, technology, and product design are also key elements of Silver Ship’s strategy. McCarty adhered to the highest possible quality and performance standards and made taking care of his employees a high priority. The generic strategy that Silver Ships is using is planned proactive moves to attract customers and out compete rivals via improved product design, better features, higher quality, wider selection, lower prices, etc.
2. Explain the competitive pressures facing the aluminum military and workboat industry. What can a five-force analysis tell us about the nature and strength of the competitive pressures facing Silver Ships? Which of the five-forces is the strongest?
Pricing remains an integral success factor in this industry. Price variances have been challenging, ranging between as low as .65 cents per pound to as high as $1.40 a pound from 2003 to present. Strategically Silver Ships implemented a program to maximize the scrap cost. Cost of logistics has likewise presented a challenge to the military and work boat industry, resulting from transportation costs to deliver to distant locations (versus local delivery), together with transportation limitations such as road/lane width and bridge and overpass height. Lastly, competition exists in the areas of performance, reliability, and the ability to make timely delivery. Rivalry among competing sellers is the strongest of the five forces.
3. What are the key success factors for competing in the aluminum boatbuilding industry?
One of the key success factors for competing in the aluminum boat building industry is key product attributes; producing high quality and performance boats. It is frequently mention throughout the case. McCarty built the company focusing on this key success factor