Tom Rowland Podcast Episode 433 is my conversation with Bill Watters of SymTech Industries, one of the largest deckhouse and marine component builders in the world. SymTech has been manufacturing blow-molded composite marine parts for nearly forty years and makes Reflex Marine Decking, a product that keeps boats slip-resistant for over fifteen years. On top of that, Bill runs a 200-head Black Angus seed-stock cattle operation. We get into composites, decking, sustainable recycled-plastic products, and cattle genetics.
Listen now: Megaphone · Spotify · YouTube.
Bill Watters is a representative of SymTech Industries, one of the largest deckhouse and marine component builders in the world, which has been manufacturing blow-molded composite marine components for nearly forty years. He also owns and operates Watters Cattle Company, a Black Angus seed-stock operation with roughly 200 head of cattle, where he specializes in advanced breeding techniques to sell genetics to ranchers nationwide.
Reflex Marine Decking is SymTech Industries' premium decking product made from high-performance thermoplastic composite material with a unique texture that provides excellent slip resistance and traction even when wet. It is installed with marine-grade adhesive and is supplied to major boat builders, solving one of boating's biggest safety challenges on wet decks.
According to Bill Watters, SymTech has customers whose Reflex Marine Decking has lasted over fifteen years and still looks great. The thermoplastic composite material is highly durable and weather resistant, and it requires minimal maintenance, mostly rinsing with fresh water and occasionally using mild soap.
Blow-molded composites are becoming the standard for marine components because they are durable, lightweight, and consistent. SymTech has used the process for nearly forty years to build deckhouses and marine parts, and Bill explains how the company grew from a handful of employees to around 200 by leaning into this technology.
Bill runs Watters Cattle Company, a Black Angus seed-stock operation with roughly 200 head. He specializes in advanced breeding techniques including embryo transfer and artificial insemination to produce and sell superior genetics to ranchers across the country, a business he balances alongside his work in marine manufacturing.
Tom Rowland Podcast Episode 433 with Bill Watters is available on Megaphone, Spotify, YouTube, and the Tom Rowland Podcast feed. The video version is embedded at the top of this page.
I wanted Bill on because he sits at the intersection of two worlds I find fascinating, high-tech marine manufacturing and old-school cattle ranching. SymTech makes parts that end up on boats all over the world, and most boaters have no idea how much engineering goes into something as simple as the decking under their feet. Then he goes home and runs a serious cattle genetics operation. I wanted listeners to hear how one person builds excellence in two completely different industries.
Press play in the player above to hear it.
Bill walks through nearly forty years of blow-molded composites and how SymTech grew from a handful of employees to around 200, supplying major boat builders. Hear how it happened in the episode.
The thermoplastic composite holds traction when soaked and survives over fifteen years with almost no maintenance. Bill explains what makes it different from everything else on the market. Listen to that section of the conversation.
Bill is developing decking made from recycled plastics that maintains performance while reducing waste. He explains where the marine industry is heading. Press play in the YouTube player above.
Bill breeds Black Angus seed stock using embryo transfer and artificial insemination while running a global manufacturing business. He talks about balancing both. Worth hearing in full.
Listen to the full conversation: Megaphone · Spotify · YouTube.
What stuck with me about Bill is the discipline it takes to be genuinely good at two things that have nothing to do with each other. Whether he is talking about composite chemistry or cattle genetics, he goes deep.
If you are interested in how things get built and how excellence transfers across industries, this one is worth your time. Press play in the player above, or grab Episode 433 on Megaphone or Spotify.
Bill Watters · SymTech Industries · Reflex Marine Decking · Watters Cattle Company · Brunswick · MasterCraft · Tom Rowland (host)
The Tom Rowland Podcast brings you long-form conversations with the most accomplished anglers, hunters, conservationists, and outdoor professionals in the game. Listen to every full-length Tom Rowland Podcast interview.
Bill Watters is a representative of SymTech Industries, one of the largest deckhouse and marine component builders in the world, which has manufactured blow-molded composite marine components for nearly forty years and produces Reflex Marine Decking for major boat builders including Brunswick and MasterCraft. Outside the marine industry, Bill owns and operates Watters Cattle Company, a Black Angus seed-stock operation with roughly 200 head of cattle, where he specializes in advanced breeding techniques including embryo transfer and artificial insemination to sell genetics to ranchers nationwide.
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