Johnson Outdoors brands announce major expansions

International brands, Humminbird and Minn Kota, have announced major expansions at their respective facilities and recruited hundreds of new staff members to meet unprecedented demand for their products.

Humminbird – maker of marine electronics – has taken on 100 new employees at its Eufaula, Alabama, headquarters (above), expanded its manufacturing schedule to 24 hours a day, six days a week, and increased the size of its warehouse facility by 40%.

Fellow Johnson Outdoors subsidiary, Mankato, Minnesota-based, Minn Kota – supplier of trolling motors and shallow anchors – has increased staffing by 200, expanded its plant by 45% and increased key machinery six-fold.

“There is no question that demand for fishing products is at an all-time high and the ability to meet that has been impacted by manufacturing and supply chain challenges across the industry,” says the group. “To better meet the needs of consumers, both Minn Kota and Humminbird have expanded their facilities and made key investments to deliver more trolling motors, shallow water anchors and fish finders.

“Making the most of those recent renovations, Minn Kota and Humminbird have also created hundreds of new positions in their respective Minnesota and Alabama facilities, meaning more jobs that are helping grow their local economies. Additionally, newly implemented state-of-the-art robotics have helped improve precise manufacturing processes with greater efficiency. Just like the technology and the products they manufacture, both brands are working smarter, not harder.

“Minn Kota and Humminbird are more than just brand names. They are the only marine electronics brands designing, engineering and assembling trolling motors, shallow water anchors and fish finders in the United States.”