Anchored in Success: Northrop & Johnson’s 75-Year Voyage
The 75th anniversary, known as the Diamond Anniversary, symbolizes strength, brilliance and resilience. In a world where businesses come and go, achieving such longevity is an extraordinary demonstration of dedication and adaptability.
For Northrop & Johnson, celebrating our 75th anniversary is not just about marking this milestone. It’s about honoring the people who have journeyed with us, the clients who have trusted us with their dreams, the employees whose passion has fueled our success, and the partners who have stood by us.
Our story is woven with the tales of countless individuals within our NoJo Nation who have shaped our path and driven us to become who we are in the yachting industry: leaders.
A Journey of Growth and Expansion
Yachting itself is steeped in rich history, with roots tracing back to the grand vessels that once navigated the high seas. Over the decades, yachting has evolved, becoming a symbol of luxury, adventure and success. At N&J, we’ve been privileged to be part of this evolution, pioneering change and setting standards that others aspire to follow.
From our humble beginnings in 1949, when two visionary yachtsmen, Jim Northrop and George Johnson, opened our first office on Manhattan’s Madison Avenue, to becoming a global leader in the industry, our journey has been fueled by a passion for extraordinary experiences. In the 1950s and 1960s, Northrop & Johnson experienced rapid growth, expanding our reach, and opening satellite offices in Connecticut, Florida, and Massachusetts. This expansion established us as the leading yacht brokerage in the United States.
Our success at home paved the way for international growth. We became the first American yacht brokerage to open an office in Cannes, France, a key hub in the yachting community. By the late 1970s, we had further extended our reach with offices in Newport, Rhode Island, California and Spain. Many of these offices were led by industry luminaries, including our current Chairman, Kevin Merrigan, who began his yachting career at our Newport office.
Today, Northrop & Johnson continues to lead the industry through technological advancements, marketing innovations and strategic launches. Our acquisition by MarineMax in 2020 has positioned us to become the preeminent superyacht marketing company globally. This, combined with the launch of Fairport Global in 2023 and the MarineMax Superyacht Division in 2024, has redefined what it means to be a full-service brokerage house. We remain committed to pushing boundaries and constantly evolving to surpass the expectations of our clients and the industry.
