For Dean Del Mastro, the recent recognition earned by Del Mastro Recreation is about much more than sales numbers.
The Peterborough-based company has received three national sales awards within the past 12 months from three different pontoon boat manufacturers, an accomplishment Del Mastro believes is highly unusual in the industry.
Among the honours are Top Canadian Dealer for South Bay Pontoon and Forest River Marine, Bentley Pontoon’s Rookie of the Year Award and a Gold Sales Award recognizing the company as a top seller in Canada.
“I’m incredibly proud,” said Del Mastro. “I can’t remember any time that a business in Peterborough has received three national awards in the same year from three different companies, all with competing products.”
While the awards recognize strong sales performance, Del Mastro credits the achievement to the people behind the business, from staff members to customers who continue to place their trust in the company.
A Leap of Faith That Paid Off
One of the biggest success stories has been the company’s partnership with Bentley Pontoon.
Del Mastro admitted bringing on the brand was initially a leap of faith. The company already had strong relationships with established manufacturers Avalon and South Bay when the opportunity arose.
Part of what caught his attention was an unexpected personal connection.
His beloved bulldog, whom he describes as “the best dog we’ll ever own,” was named Bentley.
“When they came and said they wanted to talk about taking on Bentley Pontoon, I said, ‘What name did you say?’” he recalled with a laugh.
But beyond the name, it was the people behind the company that convinced him.
A self-described relationship-driven person, Del Mastro said meeting the Marcotte family and the Bentley team left him confident the partnership would work.
That confidence proved well founded.
Following a strong showing at the Toronto Boat Show in January, demand for the boats quickly took off, helping Del Mastro Recreation earn both Rookie of the Year and top sales honours.
Building Trust Through Service
Del Mastro believes success in the recreation industry comes down to three key factors: people, product and service.
With many boats now carrying price tags of $50,000 and beyond, customers want reassurance that they will be supported long after the purchase is complete.
“People expect that when they make that kind of decision, they’re going to be able to count on the company manufacturing the boat and the place selling it to them,” he said.
That commitment to customer service has helped the company build a loyal customer base over more than three decades in business.
A Family Business Rooted in Peterborough
The Del Mastro name has been connected to Peterborough for generations.
Dean’s mother grew up in Douro, and his parents returned to Peterborough shortly before he was born. When his father passed away, the family decided to pursue a dream he never had the chance to realize: starting his own business.
The company began in December 1992 as a small used-car lot operating across from what was then the Trentwinds International Centre.
The first year exceeded expectations, with roughly 300 vehicles sold.
A few years later, the family took a major risk by purchasing the property at 48 Lansdowne Street East, which remains the company’s home today.
“It was a huge undertaking for us,” Del Mastro said. “We didn’t have a lot of money, but we found a way to make it work.”
The family pooled resources, took on significant risk and relied on hard work, determination and strong community relationships to keep moving forward.
More than 34 years later, those efforts continue to pay off.
Growth Through Adversity
After spending more than a decade away from the business, Del Mastro returned during the COVID-19 pandemic and began investing heavily in its future.
Since then, he said the company has quadrupled its sales.
The business has also expanded beyond vehicle sales into powersports, marine products and other recreational industries.
But Del Mastro insists growth does not happen by accident.
“It takes good staff, good planning, good marketing and everything else that goes into running a business,” he said. “You can’t be half in. You’re either all in or you won’t make it.”
Family Still at the Heart of Everything
While the company has grown significantly, it remains a true family operation.
His brother Jason now plays a major leadership role within the business, while their wives help manage financial operations. Even the next generation is involved, with Del Mastro’s daughter Charlotte helping out at the company’s car wash and Jason’s daughters contributing over the years as well.
The family atmosphere extends beyond relatives to employees.
Del Mastro said one of the biggest lessons he has learned in recent years is that younger workers are every bit as motivated as previous generations.
“They want to succeed. They want to contribute. They want to do well in life,” he said. “They’re really just looking for a path.”
That realization has strengthened his commitment to mentoring staff and sharing the lessons he has learned through decades in business.
Why Peterborough Still Matters
Despite opportunities to expand elsewhere, Del Mastro says Peterborough remains the heart of everything the company does.
“This is where I’m from,” he said. “This is where my family and friends are.”
He acknowledged that future expansion may take the company beyond Peterborough’s borders, but he is adamant that the city will always remain its home base.
His pride in the community remains as strong as ever.
“I’ve always fought for this town,” he said.
Today, that fight comes through entrepreneurship, job creation and continued investment in a business that employs local people and serves customers across the region.
Chasing Bigger Goals
For Del Mastro, the recent awards are not a finish line.
If anything, they are motivation to aim even higher.
He studies successful businesses across North America and believes companies operating in communities the size of Peterborough are capable of achieving far more than many people realize.
“Often we limit ourselves by believing what we think is possible,” he said.
That mindset continues to drive the company forward.
Whether it is expanding operations, growing sales or setting new industry benchmarks, Del Mastro says the goal is not simply to be good at what they do.
“We expect not to be good,” he said. “We expect to be great.”
And after turning a small family business into a nationally recognized operation, few would bet against them.
