Boat manufacturer Chris-Craft, a subsidiary of Winnebago, said it has broken ground on a new factory expansion project in Sarasota, Fla. The company said the expansion will enable it to increase production capabilities to meet growing market demands.
To construct the 80,000-square-foot facility expansion, Chris-Craft partnered with Ryan Companies U.S., a national developer, builder, designer and property manager offering full-service commercial real estate solutions based in Tampa, Fla.
“Originally based in Michigan, Chris-Craft has been manufacturing boats in Sarasota, Fla., since 1988,” said President Steve Heese. “We are excited for the opportunity to expand Chris-Craft right here at our home facility in Sarasota. Through this expansion, we will be able to better serve our dealers and customers, as well as the Sarasota community.”
The expansion project is set to transform a six-acre brownfield lot into an additional manufacturing building adjacent to Chris-Craft’s current factory. The existing state-of-the-art facility expands over 20 acres and employs more than 300 engineers, craftsmen and skilled workers. Each Chris-Craft is built to order, following a detailed, meticulous process to ensure the finest quality product. The expansion will allow the storied boatbuilder to expand their model offering and create additional jobs within the region.
The completion of the expansion is slated for September. While the expansion will add 200 employees, the company said that right now, there are 20-plus open positions to fill currently in various manufacturing roles.
