Scout Boats plans groundbreaking for $10M Summerville campus expansion

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Scout Boats Inc. will break ground on $10 million in expansion projects at its Summerville campus with a ceremony on Nov. 1.

Expansion plans include a fifth production building of 37,500 square feet and renovations to the front office and dining area at 2531 Highway 78 W./W. 5^th North St. in Summerville. Renovations to the offices at the 36-acre campus are expected to be complete in the spring, according to a news release, with production facility construction to be finished next summer.

The new production space, Plant E, will allow the company to build component parts for its yacht division and support the production of its newest flagship, the 67 LX series, a 67-foot model that will be one of the largest outboard-powered sportfishing yachts built in the world, the news release said. The 67 LX Series project, comprised of three unique models, was announced to the marine industry at this year’s Miami International Boat Show in February.

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Both expansion projects are a combined $10 million investment by the company and come on the heels of a recent $3 million investment plant expansion completed in 2021 for Scout’s new dedicated 21,000-square-foot product development and engineering building. The new plant will add 125 to the Scout Boats workforce.

“The quality of the product we design and produce here with our skilled labor force has continued to set us apart in the industry, and the demand for our product has grown exponentially,” said Scout CEO Steve Potts. “To keep up with the demand, we felt it’s the appropriate time for this expansion, which will also allow us to expand our labor force from 475 to 600 employees over the next 18 months. We’ve always been a debt-free company with an eye on the future, and we feel we set the example for other manufacturers to follow. These are exciting times for our brand — and though not without challenges —  overcoming, persevering and excelling is in our blood.”

 Scout builds luxury sportfishing center console, dual console and inshore/bay boat models ranging from 17 feet to 67 feet. Since its founding more than three decades ago, the company’s goal has been to manufacture the best-built boats in its distinctive sportfishing niches, the release said.