ST. CLOUD, FL—Mercury Marine assembly plant here has achieved a zero-waste-to-landfill designation. The factory makes electrical and plastic components for the company’s marine engines and related parts, accessories and technologies.
Boat manufactures around the world are ramping up production of electric watercraft ranging from pontoons to speedboats. They’re turning to batteries to produce emission-free products that deliver on range and speed.
On the water, yachts and superyachts are wonderful to look at and be aboard. But, in the factory, these vessels present a major assembly challenge: Accurately positioning, aligning and joining the large, composite components of the hull.
PALM BEACH, FL—Navier, a start-up boat builder, plans to build a 27-foot-long electric craft that uses hydrofoil technology to reduce drag and ensure a smooth ride over choppy water.
MERRITT ISLAND, FL— MasterCraft Boat Company announced it has purchased a boat manufacturing plant located here that will be dedicated to manufacturing the new Aviara brand.
Maine has a long, proud history of producing boats and ships. The state is home to many small boatbuilders such as Back Cove Yachts, Hinckley Yachts, Hodgdon Yachts and Sabre Corp.
Manufacturers in many industries like to build with composites because they are lightweight and have high strength-to-weight ratios that often exceed steel and aluminum. At the same time, though, these materials can be hard to properly bond to thermoplastic, metal and other composites.
Large companies and small towns are sometimes a perfect fit. The most well-known example of this is Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which is the world’s largest retailer but is headquartered in tiny Bentonville, AR.
