Bombardier Unveils New Outboard Engines Manufacturing
Structure, Planning Fall Start-Up of Evinrude, Johnson
Production
STURTEVANT, WISCONSIN--MAY 24, 2001 - 13:32 EDT
Bombardier Recreational Products today
announced a new, world-class manufacturing structure to capture
market leadership for its renowned outboard engine brands -
Evinrude(R), Johnson(R) and the state-of-the-art FICHT(R) Ram
injection technology.
Bombardier will begin manufacturing operations this fall and will
offer its customers a complete line of the best engines that money
can buy. The processes and functions to be performed in a new
facility located in Sturtevant, Wisconsin, include engine assembly
and final assembly, production line emissions testing and final
engine testing.
Bombardier has chosen a new manufacturing, sales and marketing
site in Sturtevant, Wisconsin, as the 1,000-employee hub of a
2,700-member outboard engines business - extending from the U.S.
mid-west to Asia. Production of Evinrude and Johnson outboard
engines in the U.S. is expected to begin this fall in the
three-year-old existing buildings at 10101 Science Drive. This
facility is approximately 20 miles south of Milwaukee, two miles
east of Interstate 94, 35 miles north of Waukegan, Illinois where
research and development, customer and dealer services and other
administrative activities are performed.
The selection of Sturtevant is key to a new outboard engines
manufacturing strategy that promises a bright future for the
Evinrude, Johnson and FICHT brands, according to Roch Lambert,
vice president and general manager of the Boats and Outboard
Engines division. "Building world-class brands is central to the
Bombardier success story, and has made us a leader in every
category we serve," Lambert emphasized. "We have the capacity and
staying power to bring serious competition to the outboard engine
business."
Governor Praises Plant Decision
Lambert was joined at the site for today's announcement by
Governor Scott McCallum, who praised the decision by Bombardier to
locate new outboard engine headquarters, manufacturing and
marketing in Wisconsin.
"This is great news for Wisconsin and especially for Racine
County," Governor McCallum said. "Bombardier is the type of
world-class manufacturer I am happy to welcome to Wisconsin. The
expansion is expected to create up to 1,000 family-supporting
jobs."
Added Lambert, "Sturtevant's production, sales and marketing and
administrative employees will comprise the largest single location
within the new Boats and Outboard Engines division."
Lambert said that Sturtevant consolidates engine assembly
operations and the machining of lost foam castings, an important
boost for productivity and quality. "We've developed a state-of
the-art engine manufacturing strategy," Lambert said. "We're
applying the strength of Bombardier Recreational Products - an
organization with the management and financial resources to assure
the strategy's success."
New Manufacturing Structure Announced
Bombardier, which in March purchased the outboard engine assets of
the former Outboard Marine Corporation, is also implementing other
changes in the division's manufacturing structure to increase
competitiveness.
The Boats and Outboard Engines division will operate at two
additional Wisconsin locations, one in Delavan, where it produces
electronic components for Evinrude engines with FICHT Ram
injection technology, and another in Beloit, where parts and
accessories distribution is centralized. Production operations
will also resume in Andrews and Spruce Pine, North Carolina. The
former OMC OMEX operation in Mexico will continue and the newly
acquired former OMC Hong Kong and mainland China facilities will
be reopened soon.
"Working in Sturtevant along with other facilities that will make
up Bombardier's world-class manufacturing structure will be
exciting, challenging and rewarding for those who will contribute
to the rebirth and bright future for the Evinrude, Johnson and
FICHT brands," Lambert said.
"Bombardier will foster a highly competitive and effective
workforce within a strong framework of corporate values that
recognize the value of entrepreneurship, hard work, commitment to
customers and the potential for individuals to make a difference,"
he added. "Bombardier is a company where individuals can excel."
Bombardier Recreational Products designs, develops, builds,
distributes and markets Ski-Doo(R) and Lynx(R) snowmobiles,
snowgrooming equipment and multi-purpose tracked vehicles,
Sea-Doo(R) watercraft and sport boats and Bombardier(R)
all-terrain vehicles. Snowmobiles, ATVs, watercraft and some
sport boats are powered by Rotax(R) engines that are designed and
built by Bombardier-Rotax GmbH, which also builds motors for
motorcycles, scooters, karts and aircraft. In March 2001, the
group acquired the Evinrude(R) and Johnson(R) outboard marine
engines as well as the FICHT(R) Ram fuel injection technology.
Bombardier Inc., a diversified manufacturing and service company,
is a world leading manufacturer of business jets, regional
aircraft, rail transportation equipment and motorized recreational
products. It is also a provider of financial services and asset
management. The Corporation employs 79,000 people in 23 countries
in the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Bombardier's revenues
for its fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2001 totaled $16.1 billion and
more than 90% were generated outside Canada.
(R) Trademarks of Bombardier Inc. and its affiliates. |
