Bucyrus Plant
 

Any truth to the rumor of plant closing/moving to Tennessee?

I don't think it is true.

There are two rumors that seem to go around every year or so.

1) Baja is for sale
2) They are moving the plant

I think a lot of folks would be surprised if that did happen.

However I would like to see them closer by and I bet Greg would love to test boats in water that was not frozen!

Why would they want to leave Ohio? Living in paradise baby, especially last week when it was single digit temps.

There are only two seasons in Ohio, boating season and waiting for boating season, both last about 6 months each.

I would not mind seeing rumor two happen, especially to Tennessee. I would guess it it ever did happen they would wind up near Knoxville with the Sea Ray plant.

Doubt it will happen though.

Hey Haulin

If they move to knoxville, then you and Ali are going to have a roommate till I find a place to live.

Not a problem, I have a spare bedroom. :D

Dock
I think there is a plant vacant near Dandridge, that is even closer to NC!!!

No plans on moving the plant to TN. They did however move the parts department from TN back to the OH plant!!! It needed to happen!

I don't see it happening.
The Searay 190 open bow is made at the Baja plant because there are so many orders for it that they (Searay) can't keep up. It would be shooting themselfs in the foot.

I agree Jesse I was there a couple days before you guys took the tour and I think you will agree that they have a lot of qualified people in their field and very dedicated to making a quality product. That's not something that you can just move at a moments notice.

I geuss my sources were closer than we thought.
Sad day

Yes a VERY sad day.

We have heard these rumors for years that Baja was for sale but this one hit me like a ton of bricks.

a very very sad day indeed. :(

This is interesting

http://www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com...EWS01/80321002

Fountain Powerboats CEO hasn’t ruled out making boats at local plant

By Anthony Conchel

Telegraph-Forum Editor

BUCYRUS — The chairman and CEO of Fountain Powerboats has not ruled out the possibility of making boats at the local Baja Marine facility.
Reggie Fountain, in an exclusive interview with the Telegraph-Forum Friday afternoon, said he will visit the Bucyrus plant soon.

“We’re coming up there in the next week or two ... to walk through the plant and meet the workers. We’ve not yet made any decision on where we’ll build the boats,” Fountain said.

Located on the North Carolina coast, Fountain Powerboats makes sports boats, fishing boats and cruisers.

On Thursday Brunswick announced it was selling the local plant to Fountain’s company. About 285 people would lose their jobs in a permanent layoff by May 23.

“We’ve not decided if we’ll make them down here, in Bucyrus or anywhere else in the country,” Fountain said.

“We’re gonna take a look at it and see what makes sense.”
Baja, which opened in Bucyrus in 1956, has undergone expansions and layoffs over the years.

Fountain said no one from the city of Bucyrus or Crawford County had contacted him about the future.

“They all need to call me up,” he said.

He added the past few days have been “a really busy time. I’m all over the place, in planes or in meetings.”

Mayor Dan Ross said he intended to call Fountain immediately.

“That’s definitely a positive sign. I’m going to call him right away,” he said.

Ross added, “We can’t afford to lose employees and we want them to be assured that Dave Williamson (Crawford County Economic Development director) and I will do as much as we can to keep as many jobs here as we can.”

Fountain said he understands the uncertainty that surrounds Baja Marine and its workforce.

“I’m happy to entertain any propositions or discussions they might have. We spent a few hours there (Bucyrus) and didn’t really get to meet too many of the people. We’re coming back to look.

“Jobs come at a premium today, don’t they?” he said.

[email protected]
419-563-9220
Originally published March 21, 2008

Great let's don't throw in the towel just yet.