marine industry professionals
Tracker Marine Group announces layoffs
Miami, Okla.-based Tracker Marine Group will lay off 112 people because of declining boat sales and the move of a production line to Missouri, city leaders announced Thursday.
Tracker is moving its Tahoe manufacturing operation to Clinton, Mo., the Tulsa World newspaper reported.
The layoffs will occur in 60 days, reducing personnel at the Miami plant from 175 to 63 employees, city officials said.
“Although boat sales are down significantly, because the Miami plant is a quality facility, it only makes sense for us to continue utilizing this location for the Mako production,” Tracker Marine senior vice president of operations Terry Shook said in a statement.
The Miami plant is also being considered for the installation of robotic equipment that would be used in the production of Mako boats.
Tracker Marine Group is a member of the Bass Pro Group family.
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1. Murfreesboro was brought into the Tracker family with the purchase of Marine Group. It was struggling at the time and the product was less than perfect. Although the ProCraft brand name was strong. Production moved to Clinton. All of the employees were given a move option.
2. Knoxville AR was loosing money. The building was falling in on itself and wasnt worth spending the money on. It was a shame to loose the skilled labor, but consolidating the boat lines in a newer facility was smart. All of the employees were given a move option.
3. Forest City was a "move" from Miami FL for the Mako and Sea Craft lines. Miami FL is a messy place to build economical boats in today's market. Only the crazy try. Most of the employees were given a move option.
3. The Tahoe line started in Clinton, which is where it is heading back to.
Conclusion............The Miami OK plant has only been supporting the overflow of production the last few years. It has not generated or been involved in the creation of anything sustaining since Tracker moved in 6/07.
Businesses have to scale themselves to match the market they serve - otherwise they die. Smart businesses manufacture as much as they can in as few plants as possible. As a supplier to Tracker and other builders , it always saddens me to hear of layoffs and plant closings. However, it would sadden me and the rest of their employees even more if Tracker did not stay competitive and stay in business.
The federal government could learn a lot from Tracker.