Company Profile
Boston Duck Tours
Company Overview
Our mission is to operate a profitable and unique sightseeing tour that is perceived by the leaders, citizens and guests of Boston to be of historical and educational value, a positive asset to the community and FUN.
We accomplish this by:
• Being observant, respectful and sensitive to the diverse cultural norms of our clients, local residents, Boston visitors and our co-workers.
• Being consistent in our attendance, appearance, performance and treatment of guests in spite of the routines and stresses of the “daily grind”.
• Being responsible for our own behavior and not allowing what others say or do to cause us to do or say things that impede us in achieving our mission, goals and objectives.
• Feeling secure and assured that we will continue to have a high demand for services as long as we respond to the needs of our guests and in every contact strive to provide exceptional service.
• Maintaining balance in our lives by working hard and enjoying life.
• Having fun by helping our guests and co-workers to have fun.
Company History
Contrary to local belief, the unique idea of a Duck Tour did not originate in Boston. Duck operations have been in existence in the Midwest for decades, and in fact, continue to thrive. What Founder Andrew Wilson did, however, is take a unique product and improve and enhance it while at the same time, bringing it to a major metropolitan city. Although this sounds simple, the process from start to finish took nearly two years, “100 halls of government” and fierce determination by an ex-banker who felt that there was more to life than the standard 9-5, corporate world.
The best place to start, obviously, is at the beginning. Inspired by his hero, President Clinton, Andy decided to take a motorcoach tour around the country in search of something that would change the direction of his life. It was in Memphis where he viewed his first Duck, and thought how a historically accurate, tongue-in-cheek tour of Boston and Cambridge, culminating in a splash into the Charles River, would light a spark in the Boston tourism industry. With the idea in mind, the first objective was to obtain Ducks, a difficult task considering they were built over 50 years ago and in most cases were old, rusted and decrepit. Bob McDowell, owner of ‘Ride the Ducks’ in Branson, Missouri, renovator of the highest quality Ducks in the world, had consistently turned away potential business partners for the 25 years his company has been in business. Wilson must have made quite an impression on McDowell, because he decided to break with tradition and agreed to work on Boston Duck Tours.
Opening in Boston required approximately 30 permits from various regulatory agencies including the Metropolitan District Commission, Department of Public Utilities, Registry of Motor Vehicles, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Environmental Law Enforcement, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Boston Police Department, Boston Transportation Department, Boston Conservation Commission, City Solicitor, US Coast Guard, US Army Corps of Engineers. The permits were difficult to obtain partly due to the infamous bureaucratic red tape, but also because most people had never heard of Ducks and simply thought the idea of a land/water tour in Boston was crazy. At one point, Andy was told that it would be easier to build a skyscraper in the center of the Boston Public Garden!
With little money left and frustration setting in, Andy took a standard Boston trolley tour and knew immediately after disembarking that his product, Boston Duck Tours, would be superior and could revolutionize the sightseeing industry. With this renewed determination, along with a key introduction to his initial financial backer, Manuel Rogers, Jr., a fellow Cambridge Chamber of Commerce member, Andy’s spirits and finances improved and he was able to continue the arduous process. Manny, a funeral home director and military vehicle buff, owned a DUKW along with other W.W.II and Vietnam era vehicles. Manny’s financial support and his belief in the concept gave Andy the partner he desperately needed to achieve his goal.
Additional monetary support was needed by investors to open a world class Duck operation with substantial financial depth. Two firms were hired to aid Wilson in his attempt to find suitable investors to fund his dream. Saturn Asset Management and Strategic Capital Resources teamed up, and within a relatively short period of time, were able to facilitate the path through Federal and State securities laws and ultimately secure $1.25 million. This huge step elevated the Boston Duck Tour concept from a small operation to a powerful addition to the Boston tourism industry. This also allowed Boston Duck Tours to fund the initial start up expenses and open for an abbreviated season in 1994 to “test the waters”.
Ducks were purchased, employees hired and office/garage space leased. The stage was set to present Boston’s history in a spectacular vehicle with highly motivated ConDUCKtors. One final hurdle appeared one week before the grand opening - wheelchair accessibility. Since the vehicles are 50 years old, Wilson was unsure of the company’s responsibilities under ADA guidelines. Determined to open on time and be accessible to all passengers, including those confined to a wheelchair, Wilson feverishly searched the country for an apparatus that would lift a wheelchair passenger 5 feet onto the Duck. A company was located in Canada who could adapt a standard wheelchair lift used for trains to solve our problem. One day before our grand opening the lift arrived, and hours before the ceremony Boston Duck Tours passed the required tests and the final permits were granted. Boston Duck Tours is proud of the fact that although not required to be 100% wheelchair accessible, each of our Ducks can accommodate 2 wheelchairs. The gratification from numerous physically challenged guests is an inspiration to all employees and guests.
Throughout the long, agonizing period it took to get the Ducks on the road, Andy clung to his formula for success - Freedom, Fun and Firsts. As the birthplace of independence and myriad innovations, Boston provides the best forum for freedom and firsts. We supply the fun. What makes Boston Duck Tours special is this basic theme and the intense attention to details. From the color of the vehicles to the dynamic logo, from the military surplus uniforms to the highly specialized training, from providing blankets when it’s cold to rain ponchos when it’s wet, we try to anticipate our guests’ needs and proactively address concerns. In addition, unlike many other sightseeing vehicles, we do not accept any offers to advertise on the Ducks.
What began as a four Duck, 15 employee business on October 4, 1994, has grown to a 28 Duck, 130 employee powerhouse in the Boston tourism market. Boston Duck Tours was voted by Boston Magazine as “Best of Boston” in the city tour category, the company also was honored by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce at their Small Business of the Year Luncheon, Andy was named Small Businessperson of the Year for Massachusetts, and Andy also received a Spirit of Enterprise Award from the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. On a busy day in 1994, we carried 600 passengers, compared to over 4,500 during our peak season in 2014.
The growth of Boston Duck Tours has been extremely important. However, we firmly believe that growth at the expense of quality is unacceptable. We continuously strive to improve upon the quality of the Ducks, the tour and our employees and not grow to the point where we become intrusive on the local community. We remain committed to strengthening the mutually beneficial relationship we have worked so hard to establish with the city of Boston.
In 2000 Andy Wilson left Boston Duck Tours to pursue other projects. His management team took over the company and has continued to build upon its foundation.
In 2002 we successfully negotiated to add a second departure location at the Museum of Science. We felt that in order to grow our business, we would have to split our operation into two, and the Prudential Center and Museum of Science compliment each other very well. The Museum has over 1.6 million visitors each year, and we have proven that we offer their guests a wonderful experience. In 2009 we added a seasonal, limited hours departure location at our original home, the New England Aquarium.
In more recent years, highlights have included carrying over 9 million guests, the World Champion New England Patriots 4 times and the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox 3 times, the Celtics and Bruins one time each. We have become the official Rolling Rally provider for Boston and Massachusetts sports teams.
Benefits
401 K Plan – BDT matches 50% up to 4%
Dental Insurance
Health Care (including employee, employee +1 and family)
Life Insurance
Long Term Disability Insurance
Maternity Leave (6-8 weeks)
Paternity Leave (1 week)
Bereavement Time
Personal Day for Seasonal Employees
Birthday Off after 10 Years
5 BDT Complimentary Passes each year
$250 Charter (regular cost $890) during daily operations
Employees and their immediate family ride for free
Free Museum of Science Admission
Free Omni Admission
Free New England Aquarium Admission
Free IMAX Admission
Free Whale Watch Admission (limited availability)
End of Season Brunch
End of Season Prize ($50-$800)
2Monthly Golden Brook Award
Annual Esprit De Corps Award (5 employees at $750 each)
Prudential Center Employee Special Offers
Copley Mall Special Offers
Cambridgeside Galleria “Office Breaks” Discounts
Newbury Street League Member Benefits Program
Cast Appreciation Week Gifts
5, 10, 15, 20 Year Employee Bonus ($500, $1,000, $1,500, $2,000)
5+ Year Anniversary Dinner
Gym Reimbursement
Referral Bonus
Free Industry Perks
Charitable Match up to $1,000 each year
Flexible Scheduling/Shared Schedules
30 hours full benefits/20 hours half benefits
100 Club – Monthly winner
End of Summer Party