GEM Products Inc. filed plans with the city for a 33,860-square-foot expansion on 2 acres at its campus in Flagler Center, a move that supports a business boosted by the effects of the pandemic.
It will be the second phase of the 5.36-acre project at 12770 Flagler Center Blvd.
Jacksonville-based GEM Products makes stainless steel marine and hardware supplies for boat and yacht builders.
“COVID-19 has resulted in a booming boating industry. The industry is effectively sold out of product beyond the 12-month mark,” said President and CEO Matthew Bridgewater.
“The demand is at a much higher rate than anyone could have ever predicted. People are buying boats to escape, liking the experience, and then buying bigger boats.”
GEM Products invested about $9.5 million in the first phase, based on the costs of the land and construction, but that doesn’t count the build-out, furnishings, fixtures and equipment.
Bridgewater said the privately held company will have invested more than $10 million by the time the expansion is completed.
GEM developed the first phase of about 38,400 square feet in 2018. That was an office-showroom-warehouse. He hopes to start construction as soon as possible on the second phase and expects the project to be completed six months later.
“We are more than doubling the size of our manufacturing and warehouse areas with this expansion,” Bridgewater said.
D.W. Meyers Constructors Inc. is again the contractor. England-Thims & Miller Inc. is the civil engineer. Codes-ABC Inc. is providing code compliance.
Bridgewater said the company “experienced significant and continued growth” since moving to the facility three years ago.
“We have reached capacity and simply have to have more space to operate. We have added new product lines, new products, and have dramatically expanded our manufacturing/assembly operation here in Jacksonville,” Bridgewater said.
“We are growing very fast, and we simply need more room.”
Bridgewater said GEM employs 40 people and expects to add more as it expands.
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.
Bridgewater said the privately held company does not disclose sales.
Through EmBee Industries LLC, GEM’s owners bought the Flagler Center property in South Jacksonville 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.
On April 19, about a month after the pandemic shutdowns, Bridgewater said that while many boat builders shut down for a few weeks, most were planning to reopen soon.
Bridgewater said then that the company’s retail products were 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.