Boat builder closing last Knoxville plant

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Recreation equipment maker Brunswick Corp. is closing its last Sea Ray Boats plant in a Knoxville industrial park, ending 225 jobs by the end of the year.

According to The Knoxville News Sentinel ( https://bit.ly/QeWPyo), the company made the announcement Tuesday, saying it plans to consolidate domestic boat building at its plants in Vonore (vah-NOOR’), Tenn., and Palm Coast, Fla.

In 2009, the company closed two other Sea Ray plants in the same park, ending 540 jobs.

Brunswick Chairman and CEO Dustan E. McCoy said in a prepared statement that while U.S. sales of fishing boats and pontoon boats have increased, demand is still weak for cruisers and larger boats.

The Lake Forest, Ill.-based company intends to save $10 million to $12 million per year by consolidating its U.S. cruiser line.

Source: The Miami Herald