Published: May 06, 2008 03:45 pm            

Local houseboat manufacturer closes

Monticello — One of the local houseboat manufacturers has closed its doors, citing a

decreased demand for the watercraft. American Waterways, located on KY 90 in

the Mill Springs area, suspended operations at the facility on Thursday, May

1, according to Chief Executive Officer Steve Lochmueller.

"These actions are in response to the double digit drop in demand

experienced by the U.S. marine industry over the past year in a

progressively challenging sales environment that we believe is due to the

slow economy," stated Lochmueller.

He said that affected employees will receive assistance in transitioning

to other employment. Approximately 48 people were employed by American

Waterways before the plant closed last week.

Lochmueller added that the best case scenario would be to see a full

recovery by the recreational marine industry, necessitating the reopening of

the Monticello facility.

        

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