![]() ![]() With Porter as President, Signa’s growing success attracted the attention of Fuqua Industries. This venture resulted in a quality line of tri-hull boats manufactured in Decatur and marketed throughout the Midwest and East. Vic Porter once again exercised his entrepreneurial spirit in 1970 and, along with five business associates, founded the Signa Corporation. An Atlanta-based conglomerate, Fuqua Industries, acquired Thunderbird /Formula in 1969. Both Formula and Thunderbird models were then produced in North Miami. In 1961, Thunderbird was acquired by Alliance Machine and Foundry, and they followed up by purchasing Formula in 1964. While today’s Formulas have matured well beyond the speed-only image, the deep-V influence originating with past racing victories is still quite evident in the highly successful FAS³TECH Super Sport hull. Formula was the first of Aronow’s boat companies. The original 233 deep-V hull design was built at his direction and later earned notable victories on the national offshore racing circuit. Meanwhile, Don Aronow founded Formula in 1962 in Miami, Florida. For a time, Porter stayed on as president of Duo. Because of its timely product and increasing popularity, Starcraft, a larger regional boat manufacturer, purchased Duo in 1966. This boat line was developed early in marine fiberglass technology, and with Porter as President, was marketed under the Duo, Incorporated name. In 1958, Vic Porter began building small fiberglass runabouts, enjoying success largely in the Midwest and Northeast. Decisively proving its staying power and stability, an eighteen-foot Thunderbird made the first successful sterndrive crossing from Miami to Nassau in 1959. Thunderbird was founded by Woody Woodson in 1956 in the Miami, Florida, area, and Richard C. The fourth generation has joined the workforce as summer help. Ted’s three sons also work in the business, Danny is the Research and Development Manager, Chris is a Product Engineer and Josh is a CAD/CAM Design Engineer. Jean’s son, Jason Brune, is the Product Engineering Manager. Jeremy is the Transportation Manager and Sarah is the Director of Marketing Promotions. Two of Wayne’s children, Jeremy and Sarah, work full-time for Formula. Third-generation Porters work in the business as well. Scott’s wife Shelley is active in the IT department and is also involved in various Formula sales projects. Vic’s wife Kris serves on the Board of Directors. The eldest son, John, also a company shareholder, is a medical doctor not involved in daily business activities. Chairman Wayne Porter is Vice President of Sales, Jean Porter Brune is Vice President of Marketing and Ted Porter is Vice President of Human Resources. Scott Porter serves as a knowledgeable, energetic President while Executive Vice President Grant Porter directs all product development and manufacturing. Now, four sons and a daughter actively manage the business. Until his passing in October of 2021, Vic Porter held the office of Chairman Emeritus of Formula Boats. The guiding force behind Formula’s vision of excellence is the Victor B. Company history reflects the constant evolution of forward-looking product in the FAS³TECH® hull, trendsetting Crossover, Bowriders, Sun Sports and also in luxurious Performance Cruiser models. With a long-established philosophy of uncompromising quality in every detail, Formula is recognized as today’s premier powerboat. A family-owned company located in Decatur, Indiana, Thunderbird produces boats that are world renowned for beautiful styling, advanced engineering and exciting performance on the water. Model year 2022 marks Thunderbird’s 66th year in the production of fiberglass powerboats. Formula History We are Formula, world-renowned and family-owned. ![]()
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