Out with boats, In with pools

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of a longtime boat manufacturing facility in Marion, South Carolina. Groupe Beneteau announced the site, opened in 1986 to produce Beneteau and Jeanneau sailboats, would gradually shut down activity from mid-September through November. With more than 170 employees impacted, the hardship may be averted as Groupe Beneteau has entered into an agreement to sell the facility to Australia-based Leisure Pools Group, one of the world’s largest composite fiberglass swimming pool manufacturers. Full report.