GEM Products Inc., which makes stainless steel marine and hardware supplies for boat and yacht builders, is moving forward with expansion plans in Flagler Center.
“We shall see what the virus hangover looks like. Nobody knows,” GEM Products President and CEO Matthew Bridgewater said by email April 19.
While yachts are subject to recessionary trends, Bridgewater said Jacksonville-based GEM Products “is holding up well.”
“While many boat builders shut down for a few weeks, most are now planning to reopen soon. We will welcome that and we are ready to support them,” he said.
Bridgewater said its retail product lines are doing well through online sales and mail order.
“We are very thankful to have our GemLux Fishing products ready for market. Sales have been very strong as many boaters take this time to work on their boats,” he said.
The privately owned GEM Products has been preparing for its warehouse and manufacturing expansion.
The city is reviewing civil engineering plans for GEM Products’ second phase at 12770 Flagler Center Blvd. England-Thims & Miller Inc. is the civil engineer.
Plans show a second phase of a 33,860-square-foot office-warehouse on 2 acres of the 5.36-acre site.
GEM developed the first phase of about 38,400 square feet in 2018. That was an office-showroom-warehouse.
The company calls itself one of the world’s leading stainless-steel marine and boat hardware suppliers. Catalog items include outriggers, hinges, plumbing, deck hardware, rod holders and steering wheels.
GEM Products primarily sells directly to boat builders and manufacturers, but it also has a retail business, “which is anyone with a boat,” Bridgewater said previously.
Through EmBee Industries LLC, GEM’s owners bought the Flagler Center property in December 2016 for almost $1.7 million.
Bridgewater relocated the headquarters from Orange Park after GEM Products had run out of space at 140 Industrial Loop.
According to gemlux.com, Carroll Godwin and James Metcalf formed GEM in 1961 with the addition of an “e” between the first letters of their last names.
Erle Bridgewater, Matthew’s father, bought GEM products in 1980 as an investment.
Matthew Bridgewater came on board in 1996 when his father said he was moving on to other opportunities.