Palmer Johnson expanding

Palmer Johnson Expanding​

STURGEON BAY — Palmer Johnson Yachts, a builder of luxury yachts, intends to build hull and superstructure modules in other parts of Wisconsin and in Michigan. Palmer Johnson has outgrown its facilities in Sturgeon Bay despite recent additions to its fabrication and paint buildings.​

Palmer Johnson plans to set up satellite manufacturing operations outside of Sturgeon Bay because the current facilities are operating at maximum capacity, according to a statement released from company president Mike Kelsey. "Palmer Johnson has built its reputation as one of the leading large yacht brands on build quality," Kelsey said. "We simply cannot afford to let this slip.

"We have also invested significantly in designing and engineering a new production methodology based on a modular concept, which allows us to build large components of a yacht off-site," Kelsey added.

The goal of this strategy is two-fold, he explained. Palmer Johnson wants to increase throughput at its Sturgeon Bay yard and to increase the quality of its work force. The company has quadrupled its output in the last three years, he said, but has struggled to find the top-level skills required for superyacht construction.

The company plans to build hull and superstructure modules in areas of Wisconsin and Michigan where pools of workers with appropriate skills are available, Kelsey said. The required skills primarily are aluminum welders, pipe fitters and marine electricians. After arranging for the out-of-town facilities, Palmer Johnson will use the Sturgeon Bay facility more as an assembly-and-finishing plant with increased output.

Source:

Green Bay Press-Gazette,
www.greenbaypressgazette.com

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