Rotational molder Legacy Paddlesports LLC is relocating to Jamestown, N.C., from Bristol, R.I., and expects to invest $2 million during the next three years growing its kayak-making business there.
Legacy rotomolds and vacuum forms kayaks and accessories out of superlinear and low density polyethylene, said Andy Zimmerman, president and chief executive officer, in a June 28 telephone interview.
Legacy purchased a 250,000-square-foot DaimlerChrysler Corp. plant for an undisclosed sum. DaimlerChrysler is going to lease back 90,000 square feet to outfit its Setra bus line and Sprinter commercial vans, Zimmerman said.
The 160,000 square feet of space is more than double Legacy's space in Bristol. Legacy officials plan to employ 244 at the plant, running three shifts, five days a week.
With three rotomolding ovens, Legacy can produce about 45,000 kayaks per year, Zimmerman said. The firm outsources its injection molded and extruded parts, he said.
The overall U.S. kayak market is about $300 million, and Zimmerman said Legacy will grab its fair share.
``Kayaking has enjoyed consistent growth,'' he said. ``We are innovators first. We feel like we've got some new innovations that are going to help grow the market.
``We'll take some industry share, but what we're looking to do more is grow the market.''
Zimmerman recently acquired Bristol-based Heritage Kayaks, then formed Legacy Paddlesports to manage it.
Legacy plans to launch some new brands at the Outdoor Retailer Show in August in Salt Lake City, Zimmerman said. He declined to offer specifics on growth plans, but he did say Legacy won't sit back and watch from the sidelines.