During this early period, the company then known as Vernay developed the Vernatone which established an outstanding reputation for Vernay Products in the marine industry and which continues to be in demand by many boat builders. Vernay soon began supplying exhaust mufflers to several prestigious OEM’s and to distributors who supplied the re-fit and marine aftermarket. In 1967, Vernay Products introduced Vernatube “wet” exhaust tubing to complement the marine exhaust product lines.

In the mid-1970s, the company introduced the filament winding process for the manufacture of Vernatube a technology that is still used today. Product quality and the expanding array of products attracted worldwide attention. In 1975, Vernay introduced the Vernalift muffler for use with generators and small auxiliary sailboat engines.

Growth in both domestic and international sales during the next decade required larger facilities. All operations were moved to a new 60,000 square foot plant in Thomasville, GA in the late 1980s and in 1994 Vernay Products became known as Centek Industries, Inc.

Over the past 62 years, Centek has grown from very modest beginnings to be the world’s leading manufacturer of fiberglass exhaust systems. As the industry has innovated, so has Centek. Under the leadership of CEO Bill Hodges, Centek has strategically expanded to add ventilation products through the purchase of Delta-T Systems and metal riser fabrication through the acquisition of Viking Marine Exhaust in 2023. Today, Centek is the global leader in custom marine exhaust and ventilation systems for boat builders, refitters, and naval architects across the globe.