New Ownership

MILLTECH MARINE ACQUIRED

Leader in AIS solutions, Milltech Marine, is acquired by former Vesper Marine head of sales.

For immediate release January 3rd, 2022 – Milltech Marine, a global leader in marine safety specializing in Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) and communications today announced that it has been acquired by former Global Sales Director for Vesper Marine, a leading manufacturer of AIS solutions, Jason Young.

“Milltech Marine was founded sixteen years ago with a focus on providing cost-effective Automatic Identification Systems for both recreational and commercial boaters,” said Doug Miller, founder, Milltech Marine. “Over that time, we have sold over 20,000 AIS solutions and other marine products to over 10,000 customers. I am thrilled that Jason Young will be taking over Milltech Marine and expanding the business over the coming years.”

“I am very proud and excited to be taking over from Doug and lead Milltech into the future. We have some big plans for Milltech!” said Young.  When it came to what customers can expect, “We are very much looking forward to continuing the high level of customer service that Milltech customers have come to depend on over the years.” As far as the future is concerned, “By focusing on safety, AIS in particular, Milltech was able to establish themselves as experts and a global authority in the field.” Jason closed by saying, “We intend to continue that focus on safety while broadening our offering to be the ultimate authority in marine safety, all while maintaining product expertise and the highest level of support.”

Milltech Marine

Doug Miller started Milltech Marine in 2006 in the early days of AIS. At that time, very few products existed for recreational boaters that would allow them to gain the safety and collision avoidance features of AIS. AIS or Automatic Identification System is a standards-based solution used worldwide to help provide vessel situational awareness through the use of AIS transponders and receivers. Boaters who use AIS can see other vessels equipped with AIS transponders identified on their navigation systems. This allows boaters to monitor other vessel traffic even in low visibility conditions and avoid collisions. 

Since the company’s launch, focus has expanded to address the AIS and other marine safety and communications needs of commercial, fishery, military, and law enforcement customers. Milltech Marine has also expanded its range of offerings and currently is the master US distributor for Alltek Marine Electronics Corp and Comar Systems and a major distributor / dealer for em-trak, Rose Point Navigation Systems, TimeZero and Vesper Marine. The company is also an authorized dealer for Furuno, Garmin, Navico, Raymarine, Standard Horizon and other marine brands. 

Solutions are mainly sold through the company’s online ecommerce store at www.MilltechMarine.com.

In 2019, Milltech Marine expanded into mobile internet connectivity solutions for boaters and became a Certified Gold Partner with Peplink, a leading provider of cellular and Wi-Fi based communications products. The mobility connectivity solutions segment of Milltech Marine will remain with Doug Miller under the Onboard Wireless name. 

Jason Young

Jason Young is an industry leader with over 15 years of experience in marine electronics and technology spanning global management, sales, and service capacities with top marine industry corporations.  Most recently Jason was the Global Sales Director for Vesper Marine Ltd. where he managed the global sales and distribution networks. Jason also oversaw Vesper Marine Inc., Vesper’s North American subsidiary, and was a key contributor in the development and success of the revolutionary Vesper Cortex. Before joining Vesper, Jason was the Outside Sales Directory and Brand Manager for CWR Wholesale Distribution, the nation’s largest marine electronics wholesale distributor. While there, Jason managed the team of outside sales professionals as well as all aspects of some of the biggest manufacturers in the industry, including Garmin, Furuno, and Icom.

Jason was elected to the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) Board of Directors in 2017. In 2019, he founded the NMEA Young Professionals Group (YPG) to attract and retain the next generation of thought leaders while promoting diversity, inclusion, and encouraging personal and professional growth in the marine electronics industry. Jason became Secretary after being elected by the Board of Directors and has faithfully executed the role of Secretary since January 2020. 

Jason also holds an FCC General Radio Operators License (GROL) with RADAR endorsement, NMEA Certified Marine Electronics Technician (CMET) and NMEA 2000 Certification. 

Doug Miller

Doug Miller has been an avid sailor since childhood and has owned several boats in the Puget Sound area. Having come from the computer software industry, Doug has always had an interest in the intersection between technology and boating. Doug started Milltech Marine after leaving Microsoft in 2004. Before joining Microsoft, Doug was co-founder and CEO of Softway Systems, a UNIX subsystem developer, which was acquired by Microsoft in 1999. 

Doug is NMEA certified as an Advanced Marine Electronics Installer and NMEA 2000® Installer. He also holds Peplink Certifications as a Peplink Certified Engineer and Peplink Certified Sales Specialist. 

He is a frequent speaker at the Seattle Boat Show as well as cruising and yacht clubs around the country.