Duncan Congratulates Yamaha on East Tennessee Plant Expansion

January 14, 2009

Washington, DC -- Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-Tenn) today praised the completion of Yamaha Motor Corporation’s 64,000 square foot expansion at its boat manufacturing facility in Vonore, TN.  The investments make Congressman Duncan’s District home to one of the most advanced boat building operations in the world.

“I am very pleased that Yamaha has completed this important investment for its ever-expanding boat building facility,” said Congressman Duncan.  “It is an essential component of ensuring the continued growth of our local economy and is putting Tennessee on the map as the epicenter of boat manufacturing in the U.S.”

Highlighting the $6 million investment is the addition of a state-of-the-art robotic gelcoat application booth, high-speed robotic CNC cutters, and a proprietary RF urethane injection system (for floating foam) that uses technology derived from NASA.  Also included is a long list of “green” technologies that improve the work environment and significantly reduce waste. 

This project is the latest of several multi-million dollar investments Yamaha has made at the Vonore plant dating back to 1995 when Yamaha began development of its boat line.  For years now, Yamaha has been one of the few boat companies with high-precision robotics capabilities.  The Vonore operation builds a range of 23-foot and 21-foot runabouts and tower boats.