Carolina Skiff expansion creates new jobs
WAYCROSS, Ga. – Carolina Skiff completed construction of a 100,000-square-foot building at the end of May that will house final finishing and optimized shipping operations for the Carolina Skiff and Sea Chaser boat lines, company officials reported in a recent release.
The new facility will free up workspace in existing facilities for Carolina Skiff to expand its internal upholstery and welding capabilities. The building will also provide space needed to produce three newly introduced 2007 Carolina Skiff model lines: the JV, JVX and DLV Elite Series.
Carolina Skiff said the expansion will also allow it to create 60 new jobs within the first 90 days of its completion. The company’s long-term growth strategy includes adding another 100 jobs within the next year to 15 months, expanding its workforce from 252 currently to 412 by the end of 2008.
“This beautiful new facility will allow us to provide our dealers with greater service by streamlining the overall buying process, enabling them to sell boats to the general public in a more timely and efficient manner,” said Joe Kirkland, Carolina Skiff president/CEO.
Company continues to grow
Although the expansion comes at a time when the nation’s boating industry is in a sales slump, Carolina Skiff finished last year as the No. 5 ranked manufacturer in both market share and units produced in the 16- to 24-foot boat categories, the company reported.
Carolina Skiff said it realized a 3.4 percent increase in market share and 3 percent increase in units manufactured in Q1/2006 over the prior period in 2005.
“This expansion is the result of our continued growth and the overall health of our brands and business,” said Kirkland. “We’re extremely excited about what the future holds for all of our valued stakeholders and the leadership role we can continue to play within the marine industry.”
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