About Hallberg Marine

Founded over 65 years ago, our company proudly celebrates a rich history rooted in community and connection. We have grown from a humble family-run business into a trusted leader known for our comprehensive expertise and unwavering commitment to quality and service.

Our extended family of employees and customers forms the core of our company, fostering strong relationships built on trust and mutual respect. As we continue to thrive and expand, we remain focused on enhancing these bonds and upholding the high standards that have always defined us.

Since 1959, Hallberg Marine Has Served the Minnesota Boating Community

1939
Business in Forest Lake
Clint Hallberg started a vehicle repair shop in Forest Lake in an old warehouse that had previously been used to store and distribute Grain Belt Beer. The garage was located at 89 Lake St S.
1940
Pontiac Franchise
Clint received the Pontiac franchise and needed to expand his garage. He purchased land on the North side of Forest Lake on Highway 61. There he constructed a 40' x 60' garage with gas pumps.
1942
Early Boating
Gene Hallberg boating on Coon Lake in 1942.
1949
Gene's First Business
Clint's son Gene started his first business at age 14 which was a lawn care service. He had 100 customers, a new GMC pickup truck, 4 lawn mowers, and 2-3 employees.
1953
Auto Business
Gene’s father Clint was able to buy back the auto company he sold in 1951. Clint asked Gene if he would rather go to college or help re-establish the business. Gene chose the latter figuring he would prefer 4 years of on the job training. He worked at the Pontiac & GMC dealership as a BK parts manager, sales person, car washer, undercoating specialist and more.
1955
Getting Established
Gene and his father’s auto company slowly gained traction in Forest Lake through the mid 1950’s. The location is still part of the Hallberg organization, located at 620 Lake St. N.
1957
Getting Toes Wet
Gene had 20 steel pontoon boats built locally, which was the start of National Pontoons. He also purchased 20 Johnson 7.5hp outboards and set up a rental operation in Forest Lake, Minnetonka, and Clear Lake, Iowa.
1957
Buick Franchise
Gene talked his dad into buying the local Buick dealer. Clint was not in favor because he didn’t believe they could afford it. Gene said that he firmly believed they could make every penny back within the first 6 months of owning the franchise, and that is exactly what happened.
1959
Birth of Hallberg Marine
In 1958 a local boat dealership was shutting down. Gene Hallberg saw an opportunity to increase cash flow and profit for his father’s Pontiac, GMC and Buick dealership. He convinced his father to purchase all of the remaining inventory. Alumacraft, Mercury and Star Craft were the first brands offered to customers beginning 1959 in Forest Lake.
1963
First Boat Storage Building
In 1963 Gene and his father built their first boat storage building in Forest Lake. It was 4,300 sq. ft and it filled up quick, so shortly after that they started renting turkey sheds for storage.
1964
Snowmobiles
In 1964 Hallberg sold a few Polaris snowmobiles that were purchased through the Larson’s and Olson’s. In 1966 the company took on the Ski-Doo franchise and continued to sell snowmobiles for 25 years.
1967
Alumacraft Tornado
In 1967 the Alumacraft manufacturing facility was hit by a tornado. Gene purchased 266 boats and was successful in selling them. This opened his eyes to the potential of going all in on selling boats.
1972
Moving to Wyoming MN
In 1969 the dealership was still located in Forest Lake, but Gene and his father were running low on space so they built their first building in Wyoming. By 1972 Hallberg Marine had outgrown it’s footprint in Forest Lake, so it began migrating to it’s current location in Wyoming. During this time, the car business was left in Forest Lake and eventually sold off.
19XX
Various Manufacturer Trips
Mercury: 1959 Bahamas, 1962 Bahamas, 1977 St. Thomas, 1979 Caribbean, 1983 Florida, 1984 Hawaii, 1985 Caribbean, 1986 San Diego, 1989 San Diego, 1992 Mexico, 1993 Aruba, 1994 Caribbean, 1998 Bermuda Starcraft: 1970 Mexico, 1977 Spain Glastron: 1971 Caribean, 1978 Spain Evinrude Johnson: 1987 San Francisco, 1987 England, 1988 Italy, 1988 Monte Carlo, 1989 Monte Carlo, 1989 Portugal, 1990 Switzerland, 1990 Greece, 1992 Hong Kong, 1993 Hawaii, 1994 St. Marten Yamaha: 2008 Japan (etc.)
1980
Expansion
1975 through 1986 was a major period of expansion in Wyoming. Over a dozen buildings were built for boat storage, mini storage, and commercial leasing to various industrial businesses.
1988
Boating Industry Changes
Recreational boating was booming through the early 1980’s. Towards the end of the decade marine manufacturers were overproducing which resulted in too much inventory for the market to handle. Production halted, factories closed and many dealerships failed. This was an opportunity for Hallberg Marine to purchase surplus stock and increase inventory at low costs.
1992
Premier Pontoons
In 1992 Gene Hallberg and Bob Menne founded Premier Marine. Bob had experience manufacturing boats, and Gene had 6,000sf of space available to start production, an outlet to sell the product, and funds to start the company. With a 50/50 ownership agreement, production started in the beginning of December 1992, and the grand unveiling of the first product took place at the Minneapolis Boat Show in January 1993.
2000
Hallberg Family Foundation
The Hallberg Family Foundation was started in 2000 to support the local community. The Foundation focuses it’s support on our local school district by providing funds for scholarships, performing arts, and athletics. It also supports local churches, police and fire departments, and many other organizations in the Forest Lake and Wyoming areas.
2018
Premier Pontoons Change of Ownership
In 2018 a change of ownership occurred due to some unfortunate management decisions. As a result, the Mennes and Hallbergs no longer own Premier. In 2022 the manufacturing facility picked up and moved it’s operations to Big Lake, MN. Hallberg Marine continues to sell Premier pontoons and we maintain a strong relationship with the new ownership and management.
Today!
Steady as She Goes
Today the Hallberg companies have 50 amazing employees and operate on and manage over 100 acres of land and one million square feet of buildings. This is all the result of the hard work and determination of our founder, Gene Hallberg, who is still involved with operations. Daughter Denise and Son Dana are also heavily involved in operations as well as some new faces from the next generation.

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