Could Fond du Lac lose Mercury Marine?

FOND DU LAC - As the recession continues to pinch sputtering boat sales, consolidation could be the next move for Fond du Lac-based Mercury Marine.

Many believe the boat engine-maker will centralize its operations, either in Fond du Lac or Stillwater, Oklahoma.

"If they for whatever reason would not be in Fond du Lac or a company like them we'd be hurting,” County Executive Allen Buechel said.

Buechel says the company is essential to the local economy, generating about ten percent of the workforce. Mercury employs about 1,900 in Fond du Lac and 400 at its facility in Stillwater.

"They're very concerned right now, because that's their future," Buechel said. "There are a whole lot of them on layoff, they're hoping to be back at Mercury and all of these rumors are scaring them."

Now, a Stillwater Newspress article is adding further fuel to the intense speculation. The paper reports that Mercury is in negotiations with Stillwater Chamber of Commerce President Larry Brown to moves its Wisconsin plant to Stillwater.

The company would not comment specifically on those talks, nor would Brown who refused to offer any details, telling FOX 11, "The subject is not open for discussion."

In a statement, Mercury Spokesman Steve Fleming said, "We understand that these communities rely on us, and we're responding by working hard to completely re-evaluate our business and to emerge from this downturn as a stronger more profitable company."

Fond du Lac leaders won't say if they are involved in similar negotiations, but the county board held a closed meeting June 2 to discuss possible funding for an economic opportunity.

"The company that we are dealing with that was a result of the closed meeting really is not interested in having anything public," Buechel said.

He would not confirm if that company was Mercury, but says if necessary, the state and county will do everything possible to keep the company here.