Palmer Marine Relocates to Bladenboro, NC

Sport fishing boats manufacturer, Palmer Marine is relocating its Florida manufacturing facility to Bladenboro in Bladen County

September 21, 2007

BLADEN COUNTY NC NEWS -- A manufacturer of sport fishing boats, Palmer Marine Incorporated headquartered in Port Orchard, Washington, is relocating its Cape Coral, Florida manufacturing facility to Bladenboro in Bladen County, North Carolina. With the company's relocation bringing 120 jobs with an average weekly wage of $560 plus benefits to North Carolina, it will make Palmer Marine one of the premier company's to work for in Bladen County, paying wages approximately 20% higher than the current county's average weekly wage of $467 not including benefits.

Besides generating new high wage employment in Bladen County, Palmer Marine Incorporated will invest $3 million in the relocation project over the next three years. The sport fishing boat manufacturer also accepted a $200,000 One North Carolina Fund grant to help fund the project.

Bo Palmer, president of Palmer Marine Incorporated said, ''Palmer Marine is one of the fastest-growing companies in the high-end sport fishing boat market and needed a facility that would allow for our future growth. North Carolina offers a workforce with a great reputation for quality workmanship and a centralized location to our Northeast and Southeast markets. The One NC grant was instrumental in our decision to choose North Carolina over other competing states. Our Shamrock brand of sport fishing boats has had a great history in Florida for 35 years, and we are looking forward to the next 35 great years and beyond in North Carolina.''

Palmer Marine Incorporated is split into two divisions, Defiance Boats and Shamrock Boats. The Shamrock division, which will be moving to Bladen County, takes pride in its employees being their greatest asset. Many of their craftsman have worked for Shamrock for over twenty years. In addition, Shamrock recognizes their craftsmen's years of experience help maintain the quality of the company's product as well as carry it forward into the future.

The Shamrock Boats division is the largest producer of mid-size (22ft-28ft) inboard powered sport fishing boats. Furthermore, Shamrock Boats is leading the industry with developments like the Keel Drive system for mid-size fishing boats and Diesel Power is available for all models. Moreover, Shamrock has led the way in composites with a unique split molded keel design for a full length integrated Keel system.

The Defiance Boats division builds several models of sport fishing boats including the Admiral, Commander, and Tiderunner. Additionally, Defiance Boats offer one of the most aggressive structural hull warranties on the market today. Utilizing a 100% composite construction method, which uses no wood materials assuring the structural components of the boat will never rot or fail.

Governor Easley announcing One North Carolina Fund grant said, "Palmer Marine's decision to locate a facility in Bladen County demonstrates that we are providing a business-environment that promotes growth in our boat-building industry. With more than 100 boat-building companies employing 40,000 people in North Carolina, this firm's announcement helps keep us a leader in the marine industry."

The One North Carolina Fund assists the state in industry recruitment and expansion by providing financial assistance through local governments to attract business projects that will stimulate economic development and create new jobs in the state. One North Carolina Fund grants require and are contingent upon a local match.

State Senator Tony Rand (Dem) of Cumberland and Bladen counties said, "North Carolina's business-friendly economic development policies along with a productive workforce continue to attract industries that are looking to expand and offer well-paying jobs."

Economic development partners who helped make the Palmer Marine relocation progect possible include the N.C. Department of Commerce, the N.C. Small Business and Technology Center's Boating Industry Services office, the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center, the Golden LEAF Foundation, N.C. Southeast, Southeastern Economic Development Commission, Bladen County, Bladen County Committee of 100, the Town of Bladenboro, Four County Electric Membership Corp. and Star Telephone Membership Corp.

For more information about Palmer Marine employment opportunities, fax the company at (360) 674-7119 or email info@palmermarine.com