Correct Craft, a Florida company that recently completed an acquisition of Beaufort-based Parker Boats, will create 38 new jobs in an expansion at its Carteret County manufacturing facility. The company’s plans, announced by North Carolina Commerce Secretary Anthony Copeland, include a capital investment of $1,715,000.
“Even in uncertain times, North Carolina proves to be an unbeatable environment for high-end manufacturing,” Secretary Copeland said. “Today’s announcement highlights our state’s ready-to-go workforce and convenient market access, putting a 21st century surface on an industry that dates back to North Carolina’s earliest times.”
Based in Florida and operating globally, Correct Craft traces its roots to 1925. Focused on “Making Life Better,” the Correct Craft family includes Nautique, Centurion, Supreme, Bass Cat, Yar-Craft, SeaArk, Parker and Bryant boat companies, Pleasurecraft Marine Engine Group, Watershed Innovation and Aktion Parks. In 2019, the company launched its acquisition of Parker Boats, a manufacturer of premium offshore and inshore fishing boats that has operated in Beaufort since 1978. The company’s Carteret County facility has an existing workforce of 102.
Correct Craft President and CEO Bill Yeargin stated, “Adding Parker Boats into our Correct Craft family has been great for both parties. Linwood Parker and his family have built an impressive business and brand that entered Correct Craft into a new segment in the marine industry, and this expansion creates new exciting momentum. It will help Parker Boats meet customer demand and provide new job opportunities to the eastern North Carolina community.” [Additional information about the company is available at correctcraft.com]
Linwood Parker, founder & CEO of Parker Boats, said: “Being a part of Correct Craft provides Parker opportunities to improve our manufacturing processes and offer our customers new boat options and models, while still offering what Parker is known for – boats built with integrity and pride. This facility expansion is the first step in these process improvements. We look forward to seeing what it brings to our community, customers, suppliers, and dealers in the future.” [More about Parker Boats can be found at parkerboats.com.]
The North Carolina Department of Commerce led a team of partners in supporting Correct Craft’s decision to expand its Beaufort operations. Salaries of the new jobs will create a $1,216,000 in payroll impact for the community.
A performance-based grant of $100,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help facilitate Correct Craft’s expansion in North Carolina. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All One NC grants require a matching grant from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.
“Carteret County is a longtime leader in boatbuilding and marine trades, and we continue to build on that legacy,” said N.C. Senator Norman W. Sanderson. “I’m proud of our state and local economic development professionals, who worked hard to bring this competitive project to North Carolina and the Town of Beaufort.”
“The expansion of existing North Carolina businesses is one of the best indicators that our business climate remains competitive with other leading manufacturing destinations,” said N.C. Representative Pat McElraft. “Today’s announcement says all the right things about the investments we’ve made in workforce, infrastructure and the other factors that lead to job growth and economic investment.”
In addition to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in the project include the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, Carteret Community College, Carteret County and the Carteret County Economic Development Department.