WORK ORLANDO
Edgewater Lands Tennessee-based Boat/ RV Dealer
A direct contact by officials of Factory Direct Marine & RV to Team Volusia Economic Development Corporation in late 2020 has resulted in the company’s selection of Edgewater for its second Florida location and eventual relocation of its headquarters from Tennessee.
After an extensive search, the company selected Edgewater as the preferred site from which to serve its customers. “The location on US1 in Edgewater is central to the I-4 High Tech Corridor and is in the heart of a growing area of Volusia County,” said Geof Hoffman, Co-owner of Factory Direct Marine & RV. “It is a key east coast location that complements our Tampa location on the west coast. We’ve now got Florida’s hottest
growth markets surrounded.” In addition to Florida, the company has locations in Georgia, Indiana, Tennessee and South Carolina.
The company commenced operations in 1983 in a strip mall location with a few Gulf Stream travel trailers. Eventually boats, RVs and related camping and outdoor equipment were added, appealing to outdoor recreation markets. Its new location in Edgewater will begin serving markets this summer while additional developmental improvements are scheduled throughout 2021. Included are expanded sales and service center, company headquarters offices, a 70-acre camping village that will feature a restaurant and host special events.
“Factory Direct Marine is a dynamic and successful family enterprise that competes well in growing outdoor recreations markets,” said Samantha Bergeron, who overseas economic development for the City of Edgewater. “The company offers a one-stop shop for people who love the great outdoors with a variety of products and services. Among its brands are Coachmen, Dutchmen, Keystone, Gulf Stream and NeXus RV. Marine products range from entry-level pontoon boats to high-powered tri-toons. It’s perfect for our community and it is precisely the kind of enterprise we have targeted in our long-range economic development plans. Accordingly, early indications are that Edgewater is a perfect fit for Factory Direct
Marine & RV.”
We are thrilled that company officials identified Edgewater in Volusia County as its preferred expansion and relocation site,” said Keith Norden, President and CEO of Team Volusia Economic Development Corporation. “We welcome Factory Direct Marine & RV as a leader in its industry and a company that is right at home in Southeast Volusia County and its growing roster of boat manufacturers including Boston Whaler. The company projects a capital investment for its master plans at $15 million. It expects to provide about 100 jobs over it first three years. Annual payroll is projected at $4.5 million and the average wage at $45,000.
DeLand Area to Host Expanding Trailer Manufacturer
A leading manufacturer and distributor of premium trailers has selected a site in the DeLand area for its latest expansion initiative. Alcom LLC, based in Winslow, Maine and with plants in South Dakota and Montana, is making a move into Florida with hopes of being operational this spring. “Florida is the second biggest market for trailers, behind Texas,” said company president Trapper Clark. “We have had plans to establish a Florida presence for several years. Now, along with our private equity partner we are following up on our expansion plans. Our new plant will allow us to provide top-of-the-line aluminum trailers to our dealer network faster and more cost effectively.”
manager, logistics manager and purchasing agent. The company is also hiring welders. “We are excited to work with Alcom in its recruiting and hiring; we have posted their job openings and they participate in our virtual job fair,” said Robin King, CareerSource President and CEO. Local officials also welcome Alcom and support its efforts to begin operations this spring.
“We are especially pleased to welcome Alcom to Volusia County,” said Team Volusia Chair Jordan Jiloty. “Not only is it a growing company, but it is widely recognized as a leading manufacturer in its industry.”
Clark is sold on Volusia County and is eager to build a workforce for the DeLand plant, which could approach 100 workers in its first year of operation. Overall, the company employs about 600 people.
Volusia County Manager George Recktenwald concurs. “Companies that are leaders in their field – such as Alcom – fit right in with our manufacturing community, which includes many innovators who set a high standard for best-practices.” The move also has drawn support from Tallahassee.
CareerSource is helping build the local workforce and Clark says his Human Resources Director is in the throes of hiring a plant manager, production
“Florida welcomes manufacturers like Alcom that value our skilled workforce,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “By delivering 150 new jobs over
the next three years along with a $4 million capital investment, Alcom will have a major impact in Volusia County.”
“We appreciate Alcom’s decision to grow in Florida,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce Jamal Sowell, president and CEO of Enterprise Florida. “We celebrate this American manufacturer and the trailers that will soon be named among the quality products made in Florida.” Alcom’s investment in the DeLand expansion is estimated to be $3 million for building improvements, capital investment and inventory. The company has leased a 136,000 square foot building on West New York Avenue; a seven-year lease with options beyond that. Overall, the company projects revenues of $140 million this year. “Everything is moving along. We’ve done this before and we’re pretty good at it, so we are optimistic about commencing operations” said Clark. “The folks at Duke Energy are helping us with plans to power the plant properly, a major factor in beginning production. We anticipate assistance from County officials in navigating
the permitting process to keep everything on track so we can put people to work and begin moving product throughout our dealer network.” About the ALCOM LLC Based in Winslow, Maine, ALCOM LLC is an industry leader in the design and manufacture of the highest quality aluminum trailers. The company has plants in South Dakota, Montana and Florida it serves more than 500 dealerships in 51 states and provinces, China, India and Kuwait. Uncompromising quality and relentless customer service have driven the company’s growth. Its inventory profiles are market-specific. With more than 160 standard models in the company’s portfolio, dealers can expect to have their needs met with products specific to customers in their specific regions. Seven-days-a-week manufacturing schedules allow the company to post impressive turnaround times. Company officials attribute all this to its workforce which they recognize as dedicated professionals and masters of their crafts.
