The Berrien County Development Authority recently sold two buildings located on Hazel Avenue to Coyote Manufacturing.  Coyote is a locally owned and operated company that launched in 2013 to provide trailers, leaning posts, T-tops and other accessories to the marine industry, specifically Chaparral Boats. 

Coyote has experienced steady growth from day one.  Their current employee roster stands at 71 full time and five part-time with an average weekly payroll of more than $35,000.  To date Coyote has manufactured 7,500 trailers.

“Coyote is a homegrown business that the Berrien County Development Authority has had the pleasure of working with since their inception,” said Nick Lacey, Chairman of the Berrien County Development Authority.  “Coyote’s purchase of their facility as well as the neighboring building says a great deal about their commitment to the Berrien County community and the local economy.”

“To put it simply we were out of manufacturing space in our current facility and we needed more room,” said Tony Lanier, Chief Financial Officer, Coyote Manufacturing. “When we started nearly four years ago we set out to satisfy a need for our friends at Chaparral.  While Chaparral remains our primary customer, we now supply trailers and other marine parts to several companies in the region.”

Earlier this month, William F. Miller & Associates, a marine manufacturer distribution company based in Nashville, Tennessee announced Coyote Manufacturing as their newest product line partner.

“The partnership with Miller & Associates will expose our products to a multitude of new markets,” said David Money, President, Coyote Manufacturing.  “The opportunity for growing our product line and customer base throughout the marine industry is endless.”   

Coyote plans to immediately occupy the neighboring building as well as perform some renovations on both facilities and add new equipment.  They also have plans to add more positions by the end of 2017.