Photo by Tommy Wilson

With the recent expansion of their manufacturing facilities in Vonore, Yamaha Watercraft has become the largest manufacturer of sporting boats in the world. 

Record profits have been recorded after production increased 200 percent in 2012, said, Toshizumi Koto, Yamaha CEO and president. 

Koto spoke to a crowd at the facility ribbon cutting for the newly completed 40,000-square-foot expansion of the plant in the TRDA industrial park in Vonore. The plant now employs 348 workers.

Pictured from left to right: Ron Hammontree, TRDA; Shan Harris, Monroe County Economic Development director; Toshizumi Kato, CEO and president Yamaha; Tim Yates, county mayor; Larry Summey, Vonore mayor; and Inamura Tetsuya, executive general manager Yamaha Water Vehicle Business Unit.