By: Scott Way
In late 2020 Suzuki Marine announced restructuring to shuffle their US divisions, and this week the company announced a new US corporate headquarters will take hold in Tampa, Florida.
In a company statement, Suzuki Motor of America, LLC announced a projected opening date in April 2021 for a new company HQ at 13521 Prestige Place in Tampa. The facility and grounds are a flex space for both warehousing and office operations. The objective of the facility is to support Suzuki Marine's corporate operations, dealer supper, and sales support. Suzuki did not authorize the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council to share the number of jobs and capital investment coming to Tampa, but the details are expected in the coming weeks, according to Tampa Bay EDC President Craig Richard.
According to Masahiro Yamamoto, President of Suzuki Marine USA, LLC., “Tampa is the heart of the marine business in North America and we look forward to starting our operations here. We are confident that Tampa’s collaborative business climate, excellent quality of life and strategic location will help us build a successful company in the United States.”
“With our many vibrant waterfront communities and well-established marine industry, Suzuki Marine has picked the perfect location to establish its corporate headquarters,” said Pat Kemp, chair of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. “We’re thrilled Suzuki Marine has chosen to invest in Hillsborough County. Its economic impact will be felt throughout our community for years to come.”
Florida in general, and Tampa in particular, is fast becoming a stronghold for the marine industry. The migration of major brands into Florida over the last several years has created a noticeable boon to the southeast. For Suzuki, the decision to choose Tampa is a strategic one, as it allies their resources with several major boat builders in the region who rely on their products. It's also in close proximity to Panama City, where Suzuki Marine opened their new Marine Technical Center in June 2020.
For the local economy, the burgeoning impact of the major marine companies like Suzuki can't be understated. According to Tampa mayor Jane Castor, “This project is an incredible win for our community and further evidence that we can support corporate headquarter operations for global companies. Tampa’s business advantages, including its strong public-private partnerships, access to a highly skilled workforce, and outstanding quality of life, helped attract Suzuki Marine to our community.”
The sentiment was echoed by the Chair of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, Jim Weiss, who added “We’ve worked hard over the last several years to attract more corporate headquarters to the Tampa Bay market. Suzuki Marine recognizes that Hillsborough County provides the type of pro-business climate it needs to thrive. We’re confident that over time they will plant deep roots here and be highly successful.”
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