Why Tracker Boats is taking on 300 just months after laying off 11% of workforce

Tracker Boats, part of Bass Pro Shops’ White River Marine Group, is to double the size of its manufacturing plant in Missouri, adding 300 new jobs in the process.

The news comes just months after the group had to lay-off 11% of its workforce across seven facilities in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. The expansion follows ‘unprecedented popularity and strong demand’ for the expanded line of Sun Tracker Bass Buggy pontoon models, says the company.

“Bolivar is home to some of the finest craftsmen and women in America and we couldn’t be more excited to showcase their skills and craftsmanship by building more boats right here in America’s heartland,” said Bass Pro Shops and Tracker in an announcement.

The new facility, located in Bolivar four miles from the existing Tracker plant, will be created by converting an existing warehouse and building a new adjacent building. Construction is expected to start next spring and be completed by the summer. It will bring the brand’s manufacturing footprint to 210,000 square feet.

Bass Pro founder, Johnny Morris, launched Tracker in 1978, pioneering the boat, trailer, and motor package. Sun Tracker pontoons were introduced in 1983 and the five years later. Sun Tracker Boats have received customer satisfaction awards from the National Marine Manufacturers Association for the last eight years.