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November 12, 2009 Bangorbiz

Johnson Outdoors bringing 50 new jobs

Photo/Aimee Thibodeau Old Town City Manager Peggy Daigle, left, Gov. John Baldacci and Johnson Outdoors CEO Helen Johnson-Leopold
By Aimee Thibodeau

Gov. John Baldacci joined officials from the city of Old Town and Johnson Outdoors Chairman and CEO Helen Johnson-Leopold Tuesday morning to celebrate Old Town Canoe's new 136,000-square-foot facility and the creation of nearly 50 new jobs in the area.

"Old Town Canoe has had a reputation as the makers of the world's best canoes for decades," said Old Town City Manager Peggy Daigle in a press release. "The investments being made by Johnson Outdoors here in Old Town represent investments in the talented and skilled workforce in this community. We are proud to serve as a partner working to help ensure continued success and future prosperity both for the company and for the employees that so proudly call Old Town their home."

Earlier this year, Johnson Outdoors announced plans to consolidate its U.S. operations for its Watercraft brands in Old Town, which the company announced Tuesday it successfully has completed ahead of schedule. The consolidation expected to result in annual cost-savings of more than $4 million dollars beginning in fiscal 2010, according to a company release.

The city of Old Town worked with state officials to develop a package of incentives to ensure that the company could meet its objectives by expanding operations in Maine instead of doing so elsewhere. Among the incentives offered by the city was an interest-free loan for about $694,000 and the securing of a $200,000 Community Development Block Grant for the company to make investments in its new Old Town facility.

As a result, Johnson Outdoors' distribution center has been turned into an energy-efficient, state-of-the-art manufacturing and office facility. Additionally, the company is adding up to 48 jobs in Old Town, many of which to produce Necky and Ocean Kayak brands, brought to Old Town from Ferndale, Wash. City officials say the consolidation has secured Old Town Canoe's presence in Maine with an increased work force.

Johnson Outdoors, a leading global outdoor recreation company, hosted the open house for local and state officials at its newly refurbished facility to celebrate the achievement. "Old Town Canoe's craftsmanship, quality and brand are known worldwide," said Baldacci, who proclaimed Nov. 10 Old Town Canoe Day. "Old Town Canoe plays an important role in Maine's boatbuilding history and culture, and the company has earned the reputation for being a valued employer and good corporate citizen. We appreciate the commitment of Johnson Outdoors to Maine workers."

Old Town Canoe was established in 1898 and became a Johnson Outdoors brand in 1974.

In June, the company announced it was working to transform Watercraft into a stronger, more competitive and cash-generating business better positioned for growth in the future. That transformation began in March 2009 when the Johnson Outdoors merged leadership of its Watercraft and Marine Electronics business units under a single group vice president. In May 2009, brand sales for the two businesses were combined and Watercraft marketing was restructured to simplify and streamline customer communication.

 

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