The History of Mercury Marine
Anyone who’s been a marine enthusiast for any length of time has heard of Mercury Marine® outboard motors. The company is one of the largest and most successful outboard motor manufacturers on the planet, but how did they get their start? We here at LMC Marine Center believe in knowing the companies that make your machines, so we’ve put together a brief history of Mercury Marine below. To learn more, or to see the Mercury Marine outboard motors we have for sale, contact our store in Houston, Texas, today!
Founding
E. Carl Kiekhaefer bought the failing outboard motor manufacturer Thor in 1939. Determined to improve on the products they offered and expand the company as a whole, he opened a small shop in Wisconsin and began working on his dream. Kiekhaefer unveiled his new products at the Milwaukee Sentinel Sportsman’s Show soon after and renamed his company “Kiekhaefer Marine.”
Wartime
In the early years of World War II, restrictions and a dwindling supply of aluminum caused some hiccups in the company’s development. They responded by switching to two-man chainsaw manufacturing for the military. The company even built drone engines for the Army Air Corps.
Evolution
It wasn’t until 1971 that the company rebranded again as the Mercury Marine we know and love today. Kiekhaefer spent years perfecting and developing every model the company released, ensuring that the company he’d rebuilt from the ground up would have a stellar reputation and a legacy that would last.
Over the next few decades, Mercury Marine cemented a strong relationship with the US military and various law enforcement agencies, emergency services, and armed forces. They also quickly gained a reputation for reliability, high performance, and ease of operation.
Today
In the here and now, Mercury Marine® outboards are still impressing people the world over. Many of their current product lines are the natural evolution of motors that have been popular for years or more, and marine enthusiasts and professionals alike are happy to rely on their motors, with their unstoppable power and relentless performance.
The company isn’t just here to build outboard motors, though. Mercury Marine donated numerous boats and outboard motors to help out with Hurricane Harvey relief efforts in 2017, and they’ve played a critical role in strengthening the local economy in their hometown of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Just as importantly, Mercury Marine is dedicated to constantly driving the industry forward by building innovative new products and refining and developing what they already provide. They’ve made a commitment to streamlining functions and pioneering sustainable manufacturing processes as well to help protect future generations.
Ready to see what Mercury Marine® products can do for you? Contact us at LMC Marine Center for more information, or to see the Mercury Marine outboard motors we have available. We proudly serve the people of Houston and Conroe, Texas—let us serve you today!