{"id":260882,"date":"2026-05-06T17:41:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T17:41:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/260882\/"},"modified":"2026-05-06T17:41:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T17:41:11","slug":"fort-myers-contractor-goes-global-with-marina-storage-niche-technology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/260882\/","title":{"rendered":"Fort Myers contractor goes global with marina storage niche technology"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Gulf Star Marina in Fort Myers Beach was completed in late 2020, it became much more than just a place to store boats. It also earned the distinction of being the first marina in the world to use the new ASAR automated storage solution developed by Fort Myers\u2013based GCM Contracting Solutions<\/a> in conjunction with Austria-based LTW Intralogistics.<\/p>\n

The hydraulic, electric-powered, automated storage and retrieval system replaces the traditional forklift or crane method of storing and retrieving boats, for a faster and more efficient process. LTW Intralogistics, which already had an automated system for moving pallets, is the manufacturer of the machinery, and GCM co-developed how to apply it to the marine industry. ASAR was set up as its own company under the GCM umbrella.<\/p>\n

The project cost between $10 and $20 million.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Six years on, CGM is finding that, even at the high price, there are growth opportunities in this niche. GCM is currently in the permitting process for a second Southwest Florida smart marina in the Isles of Capri. Another marina project is already in permitting in Corpus Christi, Texas, and GCM is close to signing a design contract for a smart marina in Newport Beach, California.<\/p>\n

GCM also recently launched another company, Marina Partners, that focuses just on high-performance marina development and operations.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"GCM<\/p>\n

GCM Contracting Solutions CEO Robert Brown<\/p>\n

Courtesy image<\/p>\n

\u201cThe launch of Marina Partners is about taking what we\u2019ve already proven in the field and scaling it,\u201d says Robert Brown, founder and CEO of GCM Contracting Solutions and ASAR. \u201cWith Gulf Star Marina, we demonstrated how automation and integrated delivery can transform marina operations. Now, we\u2019re applying that same model to help the industry meet growing demand with smarter, more efficient infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n

The ASAR automated storage solution is also being incorporated into the upcoming 5th Avenue Car Club auto condominiums project in Naples. Additional auto storage projects in the U.S. and Middle East are highly likely.<\/p>\n

GCM has a long history in marina construction that began with the Hamilton Harbor Yacht Club Dry Storage Facility and Boat House in Naples. That was the \ufb01rst solid concrete tilt-wall boat storage facility of its kind in the world, and that method of constructing marinas makes use of a system like ASAR possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt takes a lot of structural integrity to move 47-foot boats side by side and up and down a lane at 60 feet in the air,\u201d says Brown. \u201cThat\u2019s where our expertise married up with LTW\u2019s expertise.\u201d<\/p>\n

The ASAR automated storage system can safely store boats two or three deep on one level and can even store the heaviest vessels on the top rack with a ceiling height of up to 65 feet. That increases a marina\u2019s rentable cubic space by 30% to 50% without needing to increase the facility\u2019s footprint.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

It also requires a much smaller turning radius than a traditional forklift, dramatically decreasing the size of the drive aisle needed. With a forklift, the marina\u2019s drive aisle needs to be about 1.6 times the length of the biggest boat. With ASAR, it only needs to be two feet larger than the biggest boat.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll that wasted empty space turns into rentable or sellable space for the developer and project owner,\u201d says Brown, 62. \u201cIn certain conditions, we\u2019re able to put away more than three times the amount of boats in the same building footprint. So with the constraints on available waterfront properties, that\u2019s a huge advantage for the project owner and developer.\u201d<\/p>\n

And Brown points out that when a marina is solid concrete as opposed to steel, it has a superior fire rating that makes amenities like rooftop restaurants, bars, pools and even condos a possibility. \u201cSo we bring a huge advantage for upside potential to waterfront properties,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

LTW already works with Ikea, and Brown also sees further applications for the ASAR system in manufacturing and distribution facilities. \u201cBelieve it or not, we\u2019re in discussions with someone in the fruit business to automate their shipping pallets,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

\"GMC<\/p>\n

GMC Contracting Solutions says the ASAR automated storage system can increases a marina\u2019s rentable cubic space by 30% to 50% \u2014 without needing to increase the facility\u2019s footprint.<\/p>\n

Courtesy image<\/p>\n

Incorporating the ASAR technology does come with upfront costs. \u201cIf you want more, you\u2019re going to get more, but you\u2019re going to pay more,\u201d says Brown. But the return on investment is typically at least double over a traditional marina, he says.<\/p>\n

Careful analysis on the front end \u2014 often led by Brown\u2019s sons, Max and David \u2014 helps determine if ASAR is a good fit for a project. \u201cOur ASAR system does really well with expensive land and high rent rates,\u201d says Brown. \u201cIt is not so helpful with cheap land and low rent rates. In that case, we have other systems that we can employ. Our ASAR product is a premium product that, like everything in life, has a place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Being able to assess that fairly quickly benefits everyone. \u201cWe like to find out if the project can make money for the client or not very early on,\u201d says Brown. \u201cThere\u2019s no sense in wasting the customer\u2019s time or our time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Developers and land owners often hear about the ASAR system and reach out about it. But it doesn\u2019t work if the project\u2019s land size is too small or if a project doesn\u2019t have enough height. \u201cIt has to get to a certain size and have enough rental income potential to pay for the land and the system and the building, or the deal doesn\u2019t work,\u201d says Brown.<\/p>\n

And when it doesn\u2019t work, GCM and ASAR don\u2019t hesitate to say so. \u201cOur motto for our customers is their success is our success,\u201d says Brown. \u201cSo we don\u2019t want to walk them into a losing proposition, because it\u2019s not good for them or for the industry to have a failed project either mechanically or financially.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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