Mercury Marine said August 17 that it will move its MerCruiser engine and drive assembly operations from Stillwater, Okla., to its headquarters facility in Fond du Lac, Wis.
Mercury announced its intentions last September to move its MerCruiser castings and machining operations from Stillwater to Fond du Lac. Those moves are under way and are scheduled to be concluded by early 2011.
The assembly operations will be moved to Fond du Lac by the end of 2011, at which time the MerCruiser facilities will be offered for sale. The decision could result in an additional 200 jobs in Fond du Lac.
“The unique combination available in Fond du Lac of a skilled and experienced workforce, world-class processes, a solid supply base and strong community support provides the best option for the remaining MerCruiser operations,” said Mark Schwabero, president of Mercury Marine. “This decision is consistent with our goal to emerge from this unprecedented downturn as a stronger company, better able to compete in a new and very different marketplace.”
Mercury has manufacturing facilities in Mexico, China, Japan and other U.S. states in addition to Wisconsin and Oklahoma, and all viable options for this move were considered.
A division of Brunswick Corporation, Mercury provides engines, boats, services and parts for recreational, commercial and government marine applications. Its industry-leading brand portfolio includes Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrive and inboard packages; Mercury propellers; Mercury inflatable boats; Mercury SmartCraft electronics; and Mercury and Quicksilver parts and oils.
