FOND DU LAC, Wis. (Feb. 13, 2006) - For the 10,000th time since Mercury Marine launched Mercury Remanufacturing in October 1999, a completely "remanufactured" outboard powerhead will leave Mercury facilities to re-enter the market with certification that it meets all appropriate Mercury specifications and carries the same factory warranty that accompanies a new replacement powerhead.
Mercury's remanufacturing plant in Oshkosh, Wisconsin produces powerheads to fit more than 70 different Outboard and Sport-jet engine applications. Completely remanufactured to original equipment standards, specifications and capabilities to inject new life into an experienced engine.
"The majority are used to refresh the power of boats owned by outboard boating enthusiasts and avid sportsmen who really use their boats to the fullest," said Ray Atchinson, general manager of Mercury Remanufacturing. "Many are purchased by boat owners who love their vessels and want to keep them running strong rather than replace them."
The Mercury Remanufacturing outboard team consists of 21 colleagues within Mercury's Wisconsin based operations. For the past several years the outboard powerheads have been remanufactured in Mercury's "Plant 24" facility in Oshkosh. With an ever-growing population on non-current engines still operating on the world's waterways, it will soon be necessary to move-on to a much larger location with sufficient room for future expansion.
In addition to outboard powerheads, Mercury Remanufacturing produces several other products in a number of other manufacturing locations throughout North America. For example, marine carburetors are remanufactured in Arkansas, sterndrive and inboard engines and their mated transmission assemblies are produced in Missouri, and the water pumps, starter motors, and alternators all come from Florida. Mercury is taking the lead role in the marine industry to provide premium quality products for years of enjoyment for a large population on non-current boats.
At Mercury, "remanufactured" means much more than "repaired" or "rebuilt". Every remanufactured product is completely disassembled to its most basic components. All parts undergo a thorough inspection and cleaning process, during which components can be discarded as unsuitable for use. Each remanufacturing process includes the renewal of the surface finishes, interfaces, or design features that impact life-expectancy and performance. For example, MerCruiser engines are never simply inspected and deemed satisfactory for re-use; every one is 100 percent renewed, either by replacement, polishing, boring and honing, or other machining processes. All processes are verified to assure that they meet, or in some cases exceed, original manufacturing requirements.
Remanufactured engines leave Mercury virtually indistinguishable from new engines. The same blueprints, standards, and skilled and dedicated technicians who build new engines are used in the remanufacturing process. The same design engineers, technical experts, and quality and testing laboratories also support the remanufacturing process. There is a distinct advantage to having direct access to OEM specifications, rather than reverse engineering or guessing.
"One hundred percent of the remanufactured outboard powerheads in Plant 24 carry a 'build and inspection' sheet throughout the process, ensuring that every step is documented," said Atchinson. "Assembly of each power head is performed by a single skilled Mercury technician who is responsible for every aspect of quality and performance. When the process is complete, the serial number affixed to the engine carries the initials of the technician who built it, along with the number of engines that technician has completed.
"Also, the process document is kept on file so, in the unlikely event of a technical service issue, the exact records of each power head are immediately available."
Every Plant 24 Remanufacturing technician has assembled at least 2,750 power heads, more than most competitive engine shops will build throughout their entire history.
Mercury Remanufacturing is also home to the Mercury Certified Pre-Owned product lines of outboard motors, inboard and sterndrive engines that have undergone the complete Mercury certification and update process and are offered to marine dealers for resale as Factory Certified Pre-Owned products with a full one-year factory warranty.
Jeff Kinsey, Mercury Vice President of the Focused Businesses Unit states: "We're so confident in our remanufactured Mercury powerheads and MerCruiser longblocks that in addition to the one-year factory warranty, we also offer up to an additional two years of service coverage from our sister organization at Mercury Product Protection." With the combination of both programs, a consumer would have a full three years of coverage on a product that was remanufactured by Mercury Marine. Customers should check with their authorized Mercury dealer to revive the love they have for their boat and its optimum performance capability.
Products by Mercury Remanufacturing are sold and serviced by a broad network of over 2,000 authorized marine dealerships throughout North America. Additionally, the same remanufactured products are available globally through Mercury's international operations.