Arkansas builders adjust production

swadminJune 23, 2008

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. – A generally troubled national economy and record-high gas prices have led Ranger Boats, BassCat Boats and EZ Loader to cut back production, the Baxter Bulletin reported in a recent story.

Ranger Boats in Flippin, Ark., is using a work-share agreement with employees to abbreviate its work week to two shifts, three days a week for declining orders for Ranger boats, Randy Hopper, Ranger president, told the newspaper. The company employs about 800 to produce its 12-model line of Ranger bass boats and 31 other boat models for saltwater fishing and recreation.

BassCat in Midway, Ark., has temporarily reduced its workforce by 17, Rick Pierce, a partner and plant manager for BassCat, told the Bulletin.

Although the business climate for the sport-boat industry is difficult now, BassCat is winding down the 2008 model year at a volume 7.5 percent higher than the 2007 model year, Pierce told the newspaper. BassCat’s ability to maintain a trend of growth will be difficult in the 2009 model year, he said.

BassCat has reduced production by 3 to 3.5 boats per week now, and plans to continue at the lower level until the market picture is clearer. BassCat’s high mark during the 2008 model year was 13.5 to 14.5 boats per week.

EZ Loader, a boat trailer manufacturer with plants in Midway, Ark., and St. Lucie, Fla., has reduced its workforce by 12 at the Midway plant and abbreviated its workweek to three shifts, three days a week from a four-day workweek. Orders for EZ Loader products have been up and down since the economic slowdown began, the company told the newspaper.