Mercury Marine Reportedly Looking to Consolidate in Oklahoma

This would hurt.

With its major plants running under capacity and the boat industry sinking during the recession, Fond du Lac-based Mercury Marine has become the subject of intense speculation that it may seek to consolidate operations either in Wisconsin or Stillwater, Okla.

For Wisconsin, the stakes are great.

Mercury Marine is one of the most storied names in the boat engine business and employs about 1,900 workers in Fond du Lac. The firm also employs 400 workers at a facility in Stillwater.

Representatives of Mercury Marine and Stillwater Chamber of Commerce President Larry Brown were reported in negotiations to move more production from Wisconsin, the Stillwater NewsPress reported Tuesday.

This little blurb was disturbing.

Some Republican lawmakers in Madison have grown restive, however, expressing fears that the state may be on the verge of losing more jobs in the manufacturing sector.

Shouldn’t they all be worried about losing more jobs?  Democrats too? 

Perhaps Governor Doyle will dispatch an intern from Commerce to explain the benefits of a regional cap and tax system to them. 

Blogger Beer has a source with a little more information. 

A source I have reports they are uncertain if this will affect all of Mercury Marine but he notes the Oklahoma people believe this to be the case.