US boatbuilder starts $10 million plant expansion
Scout Boats, the US sport fishing, fish ‘n ski, walkaround, flats and bay boat builder, is enlarging its current 36-acre campus with a new 37,500 sq ft facility (Plant E). A groundbreaking ceremony will be held on 1 November 2023 at its Summerville headquarters.
Scout says that the expansion will allow it to build component parts for its yacht division and support the production of its newest flagship, the outboard-powered sportfishing 67 LX series.
Plant E will be Scout’s fifth main manufacturing building, and is expected to be completed in summer 2024.
The company has announced it is also simultaneously expanding and renovating its current front offices, with plans including a new front office structure complete with offices and a new dining area/cafeteria for employees. Renovations are expected to be complete by spring 2024.
Both expansion projects are a combined $10 million investment for the company and follow a $3 million plant expansion completed in 2021 for Scout’s 21,000 sq.ft. product development and engineering building.
“The quality of the product we design and produce here with our skilled labour force has continued to set us apart in the industry, and the demand for our product has grown exponentially,” says Scout CEO, Steve Potts.
“To keep up with the demand, we felt it’s the appropriate time for this expansion, which will also allow us to expand our labour force from 475 to 600 employees over the next 18 months. We’ve always been a debt-free company with an eye on the future, and we feel we set the example for other manufacturers to follow. These are exciting times for our brand – and though not without challenges – overcoming, persevering, and excelling is in our blood.”
