It's the age-old question: how do you build a quality product and offer a competitive price? The Robinson family, manufacturing Econo Lift® boat lifts in Camdenton since 1984, has figured out a way. The three-generation family-owned business run by Bill and Joyce Robinson, son Steve Robinson and his children, builds a quality lift at an affordable price; hence the name: Econo Lift.
In so doing, the Robinsons have built a successful business, and they say one of their greatest assets is trust. “Our database consists of happy, repeat customers, and many of our 25 employees have been with us for 15 to 19 years,” Econo Lift Marketing Specialist Megan Baldridge said. The Robinsons started by manufacturing and selling lifts at the Lake of the Ozarks, but now they have expanded to shipping Econo Lifts to nearly 40 dealers in approximately 25 states. Over half of the lifts they manufacture go to out-of-state dealers. Those lifts are protecting boaters' investments across the country, not only from boat wakes while docked, but also from moss, zebra mussels and fungus.
And that's the recipe for a lower price: Econo Lift sells on scale: a high volume of lifts sold to dozens of dealers means they can afford to charge less.
But that doesn't mean they scrimp on quality. “Econo Lift is one of the few companies at the Lake of the Ozarks that services their own products,” Megan added. Everyone involved—from construction to service—is from Econo Lift. The company does not contract out their labor, but always sends their specially trained service crew, who is familiar with the product and has a vested interest in customer satisfaction.
“Since this is a family-owned business, we have a lot of pride and loyalty in our product and services,” Steve Robinson said. “People here care about how the work gets done and that is what keeps our customers coming back. We stand behind our product. I truly think we are still in business because we take care of people the way we would want to be taken care of, and the rest takes care of itself,” Robinson said. “It is all about relationship. It is absolutely crucial to provide excellent customer service. When our customers need us, we go to them as quick as we can, and we stay out as long as it takes.”
Handling Main Channel Rough Water, & Shallow Water Too
At Lake of the Ozarks, the main channel of the lake is known for rough water in some areas, on busy summer weekends. “We install a rough water stop kit on lifts where there is a lot of wave action,” Robinson explained. “This eliminates movement, as the dock, the lift and the boat all move together, as one unit. This way, the lift is not pitching up and down or side to side. Anyone that tells you they don’t have a problem on the main channel, without one of our stop kits, is fibbing. The main channel is a tough place for a boat to be docked.”
Since Econo Lifts manufactures their own lift, they are continuously looking for ways to improve their product. Their engineering team has designed a state-of-the art shallow water tank, that requires less water to put a boat on and off a lift. Not everyone needs a shallow water lift, but for boaters in coves with gently sloping banks, this is a much-needed solution to a perennial challenge.
An Up-Close Look At Econo Lift Quality
photos by Al Griffin
Original purchasers get a lifetime warranty on their Econo Lift tank, a five-year warranty on all galvanized metal parts, and a one-year warranty on the lift motor. Customers who purchase their lift directly from Econo Lift also receive a discount on fall maintenance.
Econo Lifts is located at 3847 Old Route 5 in Camdenton, Mo. To find out what kind of lift your boat needs, call 573-346-7161 or visit them online at econolift.com.
