The company began operations in 1968, and during the 1970s and 1980s MTI was well positioned to take advantage of the surging demand for efficient trawler-style designs. It was during this period that MTI made a significant impact on the market, selling hundreds of boats in every major boating region in the country. In nearly 30 years of operations, MTI has imported over 3,000 boats—more by far than any other importer in the country. Marine Trader models came from many different Taiwan manufacturers over the years. Always privately owned, the company continues to import several Asian-built trawlers and motoryachts.