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Century Boats Stops Manufacturing
12/01/09 - 01:50 PM
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Century Boats located on Bayline Drive in Bay County is closing down its manufacturing unit.

According to Martin Peters, a spokesman for Yamaha Marine Group the parent company of Century Boats, 43 employees were given notice and a severance package Tuesday morning. 

Twenty people will stay on board with the company providing customer service, warranty repair and administrative functions.  Century Boats are warrantied for a 10 year period and there are still boats in circulation that will be sold through the 45 dealers through 18 states.

Century Boats has been manufacturing in the area since 1982.

Peters says the reason for the closure is that the market for boats like Century produces has been hurt badly, especially in the past 18 months to two years.  He also states that Yamaha is focusing on core activities.

Peters says it will also be the responsible of part of the remaining employees to help find a buyer for the facility.  The remaining employees should be in place through the warranty periods on the last Century Boat sold, which could be up to 10 years.

News Release

Century Boats Discontinues Production

Panama City, Fla., December 1, 2009 — Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. announced today it will discontinue production of Century Boats effective immediately.  All Century Boats were being produced at the facility in Panama City, Florida.  Yamaha, Century’s parent company, is focusing on streamlining their operations and concentrating on improving their core product categories’ performance. 

“The Century brand has a long history in the marine industry, and the decision to discontinue production was difficult to make,” said Phil Dyskow, President of Yamaha Marine Group and Century Boat Company, “but market conditions have made it difficult to sustain an acceptable level of performance at the Panama City based facility.”

The decision comes after an economic downturn that has ravaged the marine industry, particularly in the offshore segment of the boating market where Century competes.  Century Boats has seen its wholesale and retail sales decline sharply over the last 12 months.

The company will continue to provide its dealers and customers with parts and service and will honor warranties through its existing network of dealers. The company has 45 dealers in 18 states.

“Century has come to be known for a high level of customer satisfaction and has consistently been recognized for high CSI,” said Dyskow. “That tradition will continue, despite production ending.”

Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. purchased the Panama City-based Century in 1995 as part of a strategic plan to grow market share for its outboard motors in the offshore category.  Yamaha invested in the company’s production facility and manufacturing processes.  Annual sales for Century peaked in 2007 at over 1000 boats annually.

The company currently has 63 full-time employees. Those affected by the shutdown were notified earlier today.

Yamaha Motor Corporation also owns Skeeter Boats, of Kilgore, Texas and G3 Boats of Lebanon, Missouri. Skeeter and G3 were not impacted.