Panama City Selected for Mercury Marine Testing Facility

degree of seclusion. One of the big advantages Panama City had over many other candidates was the presence of suitable calm and rough saltwater and freshwater testing areas, so the same facility and staff could be used to test everything from high-end offshore race boats to small outboard- powered tenders.<br><br> A combined testing facility is directly in line with the company 9s lean-thinking philosophy and migration toward increased integration. Jim Hubbard, Vice President and Chief of Staff of Mercury, said Panama City and Mercury are a perfect match. cA quality saltwater boating environment usable 12 months per year, easy to get to, along with a solid local infrastructure, made it ideal for us as a marine propulsion systems company, d Hubbard said.<br><br> cBeing able to test our products under 8normal use 9 conditions year-round is an important factor in our product development process . d Another advantage Panama City offers is its very effective and helpful city government, which is led by Mayor Girard Clemons Jr. According to Mercury Manager of Plant Layout Herb Kedinger, that factor played a huge part in Mercury 9s decision to build on Watson Bayou. cThe cooperation and support we received from the Mayor and his staff along with the Economic Development folks was outstanding, d Kedinger said.<br><br> cThey answered our questions and got us the necessary information in a timely manner. It was clear they were truly interested in making this a win-win situation. d When construction is complete, the operation will employ approximately 20-30 people, including contracted seasonal boat drivers.<br><br> Mercury Marine is a division of Brunswick Corporation. Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., Brunswick Corporation endeavors to instill cGenuine Ingenuity d in all its leading consumer brands, including Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives and inboard engines; Teignbridge propellers; MotoTron electronic controls; Northstar marine electronics; Navman GPS-based products; IDS dealer management systems; Sea Ray, Bayliner, Maxum, Hatteras, Meridian and Sealine pleasure boats; Baja high-performance boats; Boston Whaler and Trophy offshore fishing boats; Princecraft fishing, deck and pontoon boats; Land 8N 9 Sea marine parts and accessories distributor; Life Fitness, Hammer Strength and ParaBody fitness equipment; Brunswick bowling centers, equipment and consumer products; Brunswick billiards tables; and Valley-Dynamo pool, table hockey and foosball tables. ###<br><br>

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