Sign of the Times

[egaito]

In case you were still wondering how things are going in the boating industry, I ran across the following headline in the Soundings Trade Only pub today:

NMMA suspends Grow Boating ad campaign

The continuing slump in the marine industry has prompted industry leaders to suspend the national advertising campaign for Grow Boating and redirect assessments to support immediate sales-driving efforts at the manufacturer and dealer levels.

And in the same issue:

Century shuttering Fla. plant for two months

Century Boat Co. is shutting down its boatbuilding plant in Panama City, Fla., for two months because of the slow economy. The November-December closure will include the temporary layoffs of 103 employees.

And finally.....

Midwest Industries announces layoffs
Monday, 20 October 2008 11:44

Midwest Industries of Ida Grove, Iowa, laid off nearly a third of its work force because of the struggling economy.

The company, which manufactures ShoreLand’r boat trailers and other equipment, laid off 80 of its 280 employees, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune.

Hopefully these companies are making moves that will let them come back strong when things improve.....

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

I went thru the Century plant back in 1998 when I was sent to Panama City by BellSouth to do storm damage repairs.

The people treated me great and spent the entire day showing me every part of the making of their boats. (At the time I was a light tackle charter boat captain with a 23' Dusky when not playing with the phone company) Heck, they even bought my lunch...

It's really sad to see people who make boats get laid off as most really love their jobs and have a passion for what they do.