Feb. 9, 2009 – PWC Digest
Yamaha completes $6 million plant expansion
Yamaha announced in late January the completion of a 64,000-square-foot expansion at its jet boat manufacturing plant in Vonore, Tenn., along with investments in automation and sequenced manufacturing. The company says the investments make the plant one of the most advanced boat-building operations worldwide.
“This multi-million dollar investment in our boat plant represents our commitment to deploying the latest technologies, processes and operational improvements to make a better boat for our customers,” said Mark Speaks, president of Yamaha’s Watercraft Group.
As part of the $6 million investment, Yamaha added a state-of-the-art robotic gelcoat application booth, as well as high-speed robotic CNC cutters, and a proprietary RF urethane injection system for adding floatation foam to hulls using technology derived from NASA. Additional “green” technologies promise to improve the work environment and dramatically reduce waste.
“This facility is arguably the most automated manufacturing operation in the boating industry,” said Greg Harbison, division manager of manufacturing at the Vonore plant.?“We are now achieving a level of precision unheard of in our business. The bottom line is that we are building higher quality boats with greater efficiency.”
BRP reveals iS availability
Sea-Doo reps recently squashed a rumor that the iS models might not be produced in 2009, reporting that the first production models of both the RXT iS 255 and GTX Limited iS 255 have already been produced and are in select dealerships across North America. A second production run began in late January and promised to ship by the end of the month, with final orders to be fulfilled in March.
Company liaison Tim McKercher said: “The public and dealers can rest assured the most advanced PWC ever produced will be carving, cruising, towing and using the first ever on-water braking system on waters around the world this boating season.” Psb
