WOW, talk about sliding doors ….
Our good friends spanning 30 years Mark Stothard and his wife Leanne Stothard came to Margaret River for a weekend get away and whilst down we all caught up for a social visit.
Timing plays such a huge part in future outcomes, and this was a classic case of being in the right place at the right time for both parties. And of course a very large factor being Marks wide vision and his intuition to act on opportunity.
At the time JahRoc was 14 days away from an Auction, selling off 40 years worth of accumulated plant and equipment; timber, machinery, tools, patterns etc which would mark the end of JahRoc Furniture manufacturing as we knew it.
Strong sentimentality and reflection on a fantastic career and the joy JahRoc has given to so many were thrown into conversation between Gary and Mark over dinner.
Mark, also a professional photographer, thought he would visit the workshop the following day and take some photos for memorabilia before it was all wrapped up.
Whilst there he felt the passion, the creative energy, and the idea that he could remodel and bring JahRoc into a new chapter, working it along-side his highly successful Superyacht company, Echo Marine Group.
The concept was born, and within 3 days the deal was drawn up, highlighting Mark Stothards highly driven personality and power to move mountains.
Mark Stothard of Echo Marine Group, the new owner of the JahRoc Brand!
Mark Stothard, under the helm of Echo Marine Group has acquired the JahRoc brand and IP, and has exclusive rights to manufacture the JahRoc Furniture designs going forward.
All be it in a slightly different direction and business model to us, you will be pleased to know that JahRoc Furniture designs will still be produced under the capable hands of Echo’s very skilled and capable crafstmen.
Echo Marine Group manufacture high spec luxury Superyachts from concept to completion, enjoying the reputation of building the largest Superyachts in the Southern Hemisphere. Mark Stothard is fired up to run JahRoc alongside his thriving shipbuilding business in Henderson, WA.
We are extremely excited and honoured to see our JahRoc brand being picked up by such a prestigious Western Australian company.
Carrying on a brand such as JahRoc would be a daunting task for most, however the passion, drive and integrity that Mark has shown in all of his endeavours, confirms that he of all people can do it justice, and no doubt take it to a new level of prestige.
The unfolding of JahRoc’s new chapter under the helm of Echo Marine Group will be a very exciting journey for us all to follow.
Gary Bennett
Watch the Video…
Echo Marine Group owner director, Mark Stothard talks to Gary Bennett of JahRoc about how this acquisition came about, the remodeling and future of the JahRoc Brand, and the history of their long standing relationship.
Gary and Dave say Goodbye…
This acquisition will see Gary Bennett and David Paris stepping out of their JahRoc shoes, and saying goodbye to their incredibly successful business partnership of 40 years.
JahRoc Furniture as you have known it under the ownership of Gary and David is now finished and Mark Stothard of Echo Marine Group will take it forward from here.
Mark Stothard – Financial Review Article
This article was written by Jacinta Burton in November 2025 and tells you a lot about Mark Stothards journey from manufacturing Crayfishing vessels to luxury Superyachts worth hundreds of millions.
Mark’s positivity, compassion, and ability to visualise and take new ventures head on, has been instrumental in his success.
Find out more about Echo Marine Group