Production underway at new U.S. Zodiac plant
STEVENSVILLE, Md. – Zodiac of North America’s new 40,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Summerville, S.C. – the site of Scout Boats headquarters – has come to life, manufacturing and distributing Zodiac rigid hull inflatable boats (RIBs) for the U.S. market, the company reported in a statement today.
Zodiacs in production at the new facility include the Pro Open 650 – a 21-foot RIB geared for families and outdoor enthusiasts, the Pro Man 15 – a RIB for active adventurers and professionals who work on the water, and the full line of Yachtline sport runabouts and yacht tenders for sport cruisers, sportfishers, larger sailboats and yachts.
Zodiac of North America signed a lease with Scout Boats for the new facility in early 2005. About half the space is devoted to manufacturing, and the other half for logistics for the Zodiac and AVON lines, the company stated.
The new facility expands the working relationship between Zodiac and Scout, which started in 2003 when Scout began production of Zodiac’s deep-V fiberglass hulls, in addition to assembling the boats and rigging them with Yamaha and Bombardier outboard engines.
“This new, state-of-the-art manufacturing plant allows us to increase U.S. production capacity to help us better serve our expanding network of dealerships across the country,” said JJ. Marie, ZNA president and CEO.
“Our new facility for Zodiac, is separate from the current Scout production lines and overseen by its own management team,” said Scout Vice President of Operations Dave Wallace. “The separate plant allows Zodiac to meet its production needs, while we remain focused on our own Scout brand.”
Marie expects the expanded relationship with Scout Boats, Inc. will also result in the development of new Zodiac boats for the U.S.
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