History – it all started in Magasinet…
1998 Niklas and Robert had a question for Johan. We were thinking of opening a store in Magasinet in Mollösund. Since you’re importing a lot of boat and water sport accessories, could you help us with this? Johan’s answer was; Of couse! We filled the store with inflatable boats, wake boards, water skis, and swim wear and waited for the sun. What happened? We had the worst summer in recorded history as many of you might remember. But the collaboration had started and the idea of making something of Magasinet was born.
1999 Robert and Niklas lease Tappen in Mollösund.
2000 Robert and Niklas are hired to run the operations of the guest harbor in Mollösunds.
2001 Johan, Rober, and Niklas runs Tappen together. They are hired to run the operations of the guest harbor on Käringön. They also start the company Ribtours.
2002 The operation continues and the renovation and remodeling of Magasinet is started.
The opening of Magasinet is a success and people from all over are attending.
2003 The company Ocean Group is started and all lines of business are now operating under it. On May 31 Magasinet is opening its bar, kitchen and conference room. Ribtours expands its operation with the addition of three water scooters in collaboration with Erik Wintzer and Erik Kennvik.
2004 The purchase of Mollösunds Wärdshus makes it possible to become a one-stop shop for conferences, activities, food and lodging on the West Coast. A new RIB-boat with a V8 is added for the new season to transport customers between Gothenburg and Mollösund. The inn is renovated and expanded to make a larger restaurant and create a new atmosphere.
Here is Johan and Eric back from Hamburg after picking up one of the RIB boats that were shipped there from South Africa. It put the old Chevy to the test.
2005 Another RIB boat of the new model is purchased. Ocean Group has a tough year working on getting all the new operations going.
2006 Bathrooms are added to the rooms of the inn. Tappen in Mollösund is now owned instead of just leased. Ocean Group is for the first time successful with making their concept known; combining the unique environment on the West Coast and Mollösund with activities, accommodations, and good food. All done in-house to ensure high quality.
2007 Total remodeling of the inn’s garden. The goal is to create a unique environment never before seen on the West Coast. The food concept is revamped and two additional rooms are added to the inn.
Ribtours purchase two additional boats with the goal to take the RIB-charter to new heights. Shown for the first time at the Boat Show 2007
Tappen is renewed and a café with Internet connection is created among other things.
2008 Ocean Group has a fantastic year and season and qualified as a Gazelle Business in Sweden.
2009 Ocean Group owns and operates Mollösunds Wärdshus, Magasinet in Mollösund, Ribtours, Mollösunds guest harbor, Emmas Café, and an extensive event business. We are a total of 55 employees during peak season. We as owners have realized that we personally have different goals for the future and we start the process of dividing the operations so we all can all feel comfortable in our new roles in life as all of us, among other things, have become parents.
2010 Robert and Niklas take over the operation of Magasinet, the guest harbor and Tappen in Mollösund.
Johan Wintzer and Eric Wintzer continue to operate Ocean Group and start to refine the operation into an event business. The operation of Mollösunds Wärdshus is left to Lasse Nilson and a close collaboration is started. The office is moved to Sankt Jörgen Park. The business is fortified with three new associates. Fredrik Strömgren with a depth of knowledge and network within sport and entertainment, Maria Pihl is improving the project management, and Per Olson who’s been working at Mollösunds Wärdshus and as a captain on Ribtours, join us as sales and project leader.
The season starts with events as Poker Race and Kennet Cup.
Match Race weeck in Marstrand is intensive with events for Castellum, BMW, and Stena.
During the fall we had our first large event in Barcelona with 120 participants.
To be continued, and we promise it will be exciting…