Inside The Walls At T-H Marine Products

Founded in Madison, Ala., in 1975, T-H Marine Products has grown into one of the world's premier manufacturers of OEM and aftermarket boat accessories. If you own a fiberglass or aluminum boat, fishing or recreational, there's a good chance T-H made at least one thing on it.

The company currently employs 130 people across three locations – two in northern Alabama and another in Oklahoma – and continues to grow. On Wednesday, BassFan was invited to take a tour of the company's headquarters not far from the Huntsville International Airport. It was a typical day at the office, with workers collaborating on ideas and delivery trucks being loaded with products heading out the door.

Welcome, Anglers!

BassFan editor Todd Ceisner had the opportunity to tour the Madison, Ala., headquarters of T-H Marine Products on Wednesday. The following is a sampling of what he saw and learned.

On the Inside

The lobby at T-H's headquarters is decorated with company logos and fishing memorabilia and mementos, both saltwater and freshwater.

Good Material

While waiting in the lobby, visitors have their choice of fishing publications to pass the time.

An Annual Thing

The hallway inside the front door is decorated with the cover from each company catalog since its founding in 1978.

Where It All Began

The cover of the first company catalog from 1978. The “T-H” stands for Trim Handle.

Founder’s Wall

Plaques celebrating T-H Marine founder Bill Huntley’s induction into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame greet visitors as they make their way further into the office. Huntley, 83, is still very active in the day-to-day operations of the company.

Boss’ Office

Huntley wasn’t in his office Wednesday, but it’s clear it’s still a hub of activity. On the back wall is a Bumble Bee Tackle sign, a reminder of Huntley’s first business venture in the fishing industry. He was the first person to use a ball bearing swivel to attach blades to a spinnerbait after seeing a swivel used to connect leader material while on a saltwater outing.

Outdoors Friendly

Many of the office walls at T-H Marine are adorned with mounts of trophy fish or deer. The company follows a Monday through Thursday work week to allow employees to take the weekend and enjoy the outdoors – and possibly test new products.

All in the Family

Down the hall is the office of Huntley’s son, Jeff, who has served as T-H’s president since 1994. He was hard at work today catching up on paperwork after being out sick earlier this week.

School Pride

Jeff Huntley is a graduate of Auburn University (as well as the Harvard Business School), and his connection to Auburn is evident from some wall hangings in his office.

No Jacking Around

This is the jack plate room where the Atlas Jack Plate, one of T-H’s most popular products, is assembled and prepped for shipping.

Bits & Pieces

These nuts and bolts will soon be holding an Atlas Jack Plate to the back of a new bass boat.

Cutting Room

This room is where the tubes that are used in boat storage compartments are cut to size. T-H makes the rod tubes for just about every major boat manufacturer.

Raw Material

Here is a box of tubes ready to be cut down to size. T-H makes tubes for more than 60 boat design layouts, from fiberglass to aluminum.

Finished Product

T-H Marine makes all of the components to keep rods organized in your boat’s storage compartments.

Ready to Go

One part of the warehouse contains the finished goods that are ready to plucked off the shelf and shipped out. T-H currently has approximately 3,800 SKUs.

Setting the Table

These wiring harnesses will eventually go with the Oxygenator livewell aeration pump. The wires are potted in order to prevent moisture from penetrating the connections and causing shorts.

Mass Production

Dozens of wire harnesses can be prepped at one time.

Got Parts?

This is just one section of the parts and component warehouse, which holds all of the pieces needed to construct all of the products T-H Marine makes.

Lab Rat

This is T-H Sale Manager Luke Dunkin’s old boat, which now sits in the back of the warehouse. It serves as an on-site testing ground for new products.

First of Its Kind

On the demo boat is the first Shock Lock bracket, which is used to mount electronics on the bow and console.

Compact Power

This is the Lane Blaster, named for Elite Series angler Chris Lane. It’s a 1,000-lumens light that mounts to the trolling motor for better navigation in low-light conditions. It was introduced in 2015.

Loc ‘Em up

Here’s a shipping crate full of Loc-R-Bars, a great investment for any angler who wants to prevent burglars from rummaging through a boat’s storage compartments.

Support the Sport

T-H has three technical and tournament support trailers. One was currently on site at the Toledo Bend Elite Series and another was preparing to be on its way to the Texas Team Trail championship. The service crews can assist anglers if they’re having issues with their T-H Marine products.

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