Sportsman's State-of-the-Art Expansion - Sportsman's "Behind The Glass" (Season 3 - Episode 3)

In this week’s episode of Behind The Glass, we’re taking you on a tour of our latest manufacturing expansion, a state-of-the-art facility that’s a testament to our commitment to innovation and efficiency. This newly designed space now houses our small parts lamination, upholstery, and several supporting departments, all of which play a crucial role in delivering the high-quality boats our customers have come to expect.

We kick off with a look back at our old small parts lamination department, which was once housed inside our main lamination facility. While that setup worked well for a while, it couldn’t support the larger volumes and new techniques we were ready to introduce. With our models getting bigger and our molds requiring more space, we knew it was time for an upgrade. Enter our new expansion: a climate-controlled environment designed to optimize every step of the lamination process. This cutting-edge facility ensures superior control over factors like temperature and humidity, which are critical for producing top-tier fiberglass parts.

One of the highlights of the episode is our introduction of a revolutionary vacuum infusion technique that uses reusable silicone bags instead of traditional one-time-use plastic bags. This not only minimizes waste but also increases efficiency and precision. The silicone bags are molded to fit perfectly over the parts, ensuring even pressure throughout the molding process. In fact, thanks to innovations like these, we’ve seen a 168% improvement in output, all while reducing material waste to near zero.

The episode also dives into the revamped upholstery department, where CNC machines cut and stitch the intricate patterns that make up our signature boat cushions. Skilled operators then take over to assemble and finish these cushions with precision, ensuring they’re durable, comfortable, and ready to install. Each cushion set is assembled with care, and thanks to CNC precision, installation on the boats is quick and flawless.

As always, efficiency and quality are at the heart of everything we do. Whether it’s through our new ventilation systems, advanced manufacturing techniques, or a streamlined assembly process, we’re constantly finding ways to improve both our output and the working environment for our team members.

If you’re passionate about boating and want to see the latest in boat-building innovation, this episode is a must-watch! Be sure to tune in every Friday for more exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into how we’re transforming the boat manufacturing process at Sportsman Boats.

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