60 Years of Quality & Innovative Marine Hardware
Established in the 1960s, Martin Klacko started building metal parts for Erich Bruckmann’s Custom Boatworks in Bronte. Amidst the sailboat boom of the 70s, Klacko was the lead metal fabricator for C&C Yachts and a number of major Canadian yacht builders. Many product developments and metalworking techniques are owed to Martin’s creativity and innovation.
In the late 80s, Klacko Marine established the well known fabrication shop on Third Line. During this expansion the workshop was busy fabricating metal parts for all the major builders of the time as well as custom projects for varying industries from resource exploration to museum exhibitions.
By the early 90s, Martin Klacko focused on supplying commercial clients with production stainless steel and aluminum from the newly minted Grimsby Shop. Despite a downturn in the North American boating industry, we were busier than ever with an abundance of new and diverse projects.
During this time, Martin’s younger brother Danny Klacko continued separately with the Spar Division in Oakville under the new name Klacko Spars. Today, Tim and Dannial are actively running day to day operations at the Oakville Third Line location.
In 1995, Doug Gierula began apprenticing alongside Martin at the Grimsby Klacko Facility. During his apprenticeship, Doug also completed degrees in Biochemistry at Queen’s and Mechanical/Chemical Engineering at McMaster. Upon Martin’s retirement, Doug took the helm of Klacko Marine as the company’s new owner and principle fabricator at the St.Catharines, Ontario Shop.
More history on Klacko’s contributions can be found in the following article by Rob Mazza.