Shepler’s Ferry, which has shuttled millions of visitors to Mackinac Island since the 1940s, was sold to David Hoffmann from Naples, FL. The Hoffman family runs a multibillion-dollar operation with a presence in 27 different countries, including Europe, China, Latin America, and South America. Hoffman’s portfolio of businesses includes tour boat companies around the U.S., making a natural fit with Shepler’s.
Shepler’s Ferry currently employs 190 people and transports more than 650,000 passengers each year between April and November. With the sale, everything will remain the same including the name, leadership, and staff. “We’re thrilled with the management of the company and all the employees,” Hoffman said. “We really don’t want anything to change. It’ll be a great company for many years to come, hopefully for another 75 years.” He added, “We’re very much about maintaining the culture of Mackinac Island and that’s what we bought into. We don’t want to see that change.”
Chris Shepler, President at Shepler’s Ferry, said, “This is the right time, the right company, and the right guy to carry on our legacy for future generations of guests and our cast.” Read more here.
