Sailfish Boats is in expansion mode, seeks more workers

Governor Brian P. Kemp announced Tuesday that Sailfish Boats of Cairo will invest more than $1 million and increase their workforce by more than 30 percent as they expand their manufacturing headquarters in Grady County. This investment at Sailfish Boats and in Grady County will create 70 jobs in southwest Georgia and results from a sharp increase in customer demand for fishing and recreational boats.

“Boating and water sports are big business in Georgia, creating opportunities in two of our critical industries – manufacturing and tourism,” said Governor Kemp. “It’s a pleasure to see a Georgia-based manufacturer like Sailfish Boats continue to grow and create solid jobs for the hardworking Georgians of Grady County and throughout southwest Georgia.”

Sailfish Boats is under new ownership and is under the leadership of a new manager. Sailfish Boats President and C.E.O. Rob Parmentier attended Tuesday’s meeting of the Grady County Joint Development Authority to preview the governor’s announcement and to brief authority members on the firm’s current employment needs as well as plans for the future.

Established in 1986, Sailfish Boats produces dual and center console boats built for offshore and inshore fishing. The company, which is headquartered in Cairo, currently employs more than 130 Georgians. Once this expansion is complete, the company will employ close to 200 people in southwest Georgia.

“For 35 years, we have called Cairo, Georgia, and Grady County home. Our growth now and throughout our history has been as a result of the hundreds of skilled, hardworking, and dedicated employees that call this area home,” said Parmentier. “Our current and forecasted growth is the result of upcoming new product introductions and development, a 35 percent increase of our distribution network, and sheer market demand for offshore/inshore fishing boats.”

Parmentier told J.D.A. members Tuesday afternoon that Sailfish has orders on the books through next May. “In the past, they never had orders past four weeks.”

Parmentier said that he was fortunate to be able to hire workers laid off by Cives Steel in Thomasville when it was shuttered, but he says he needs more workers and finding them has been and continues to be challenging.

The company will be hiring for careers in engineering as well as production areas of lamination and assembly. Individuals interested in opportunities with Sailfish Boats are encouraged to visit sailfishboats.com/sailfish-careers/ for additional information.

“Sailfish Boats is an amazing company in Grady County. Their new C.E.O., Rob Parmentier, and his team have the experience and vision to take the company to the next level,” said executive director of the Grady County Joint Development Authority, Julian Brown. “It is great to know that some of the best boats in the world are made right here in Cairo, Georgia.”

Parmentier also complimented Brown for his work in assisting Sailfish Boats in seeking qualified workers and for introducing him to state officials.

Senior project manager Tina Herring represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) Global Commerce division on this project in partnership with the Grady County Joint Development Authority and the Technical College System of Georgia.

“Over the last year, Georgians have reintroduced themselves to the diverse selection of outdoor activities available here as they explored our beautiful state. It is always gratifying when our existing industries continue to succeed and expand, but even more so when that growth is based on industry trends that will help us continue to revitalize our economy,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “I extend my thanks to Gov. Kemp for his unwavering support of our advanced manufacturing industries and to our partners in Grady County for continuing to foster a strong relationship with the Sailfish Boats team.”

Parmentier told the J.D.A. this week the plan is to triple the company. He says that the hull design created by former owner and company founder Paul Hoppes is “fantastic.” “It is like the foundation of a solid built home,” he added.

J.D.A. Chairman Charles M. Stafford shared that he was part of the original team that visited Hoppes at his former operation and sold him on the idea of relocating the boat manufacturing plant to Grady County. “We are proud to have you here and it is great to see that you are taking the company to another level. It’s just super,” Stafford said.

Parmentier said that the boat manufacturing business is a “young man’s game” and that Hoppes had decided to retire and sold his company to a private equity fund based in Georgia.

The Sailfish President and C.E.O. also reported this week that boats had recently been shipped from Cairo to Seattle, Los Angeles and Toronto, all markets that Sailfish had not been in previously. From what had basically been a southeastern regional supplier, Parmentier says Sailfish is now going all over the world.

For 35 years, Sailfish Boats has designed, engineered, and manufactured center console and dual console inshore and offshore fishing boats from 22-to-36-feet for dedicated anglers and for those who just want a great day out on the water. For more information on Sailfish Boats, visit www.sailfishboats.com.