Navico Expands Manufacturing Facility

Navico, parent company of marine electronics brands Lowrance, Simrad, B&G and GoFree, has announced a major expansion to its manufacturing plant in Ensenada, Baja California.

The company recently cut the ribbon on its all-new 50,000 square-foot facility, added to the existing 75,000 square-foot plant. The new operation is expected to generate another 300 jobs for the workforce, bringing the total to more than 1,000.

In 2007, Navico concentrated production from a number of facilities around the globe to its existing facility in Ensenada, a coastal city in Mexico and the third-largest in Baja California, located 125 kilometers south of San Diego, California. A large enough city to have a sizeable recruitment base, with an excellent educational infrastructure and a highly attractive living environment, Ensenada offers a safe and stable setting for employees. It is also an international port with direct shipment to and from Asia, with easy transport to the United States and close access to international airports. Ensenada also offers quick access to the Pacific Ocean, allowing for on-the-water testing and quality assurance of Navico’s award-winning technologies.

“From our decision nine years ago, which lead to the concentration of Navico’s manufacturing, to the addition of research and development, sourcing and purchasing, global repair and logistics, it’s clear how strategically important the Ensenada facility has become to support Navico’s leadership position,” said Leif Ottosson, Navico CEO. “The factory extension that we have opened today, is an important element in the continued expansion of Navico’s business, and gives us the capacity we need to support the future organic and acquisition-based growth we anticipate. We are very pleased to have reached this milestone.”

Attending the event were Navico’s Hugo Maurstad, Leif Ottosson, Jim Brailey and Anita Hatherley; as well as Carlo Bonfante – Secretary of Economic Development, State of Baja California; and Juanita Floriano – Secretary of Labor, State of Baja California.