Manufacturer Profile
Mercury Marine
The only U.S.-based major outboard builder — performance and the widest domestic service footprint.
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 1939
- Headquarters
- Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
- Country
- United States
- Ownership
- Brunswick Corporation (since 1961)
- HP Range
- 2.5 – 600 hp
- Fuel / Power
- 4-stroke gasoline + electric (Avator)
The Offer
Mercury Marine builds one of the broadest outboard ranges on the water, from 2.5 hp portables all the way to the 600 hp supercharged Verado. Paired with the SmartCraft digital ecosystem and a deep U.S. dealer and service network, Mercury is a natural fit for repowers, offshore performance, and buyers who want factory support close to home.
Abridged History
- Founded in 1939 by engineer Carl Kiekhaefer in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, after he rebuilt a batch of failing outboard motors.
- Merged with Brunswick Corporation in 1961 — still its parent company today — and introduced the MerCruiser sterndrive line the same year.
- Pioneered the supercharged Verado outboard and the SmartCraft digital integration platform, and later entered electric propulsion with the Avator line.
Product Lines (6 families)
Signature Technology
- +SmartCraft digital integration & rigging
- +Supercharged Verado (highest production outboard HP)
- +Joystick Piloting for multi-engine boats
Heritage
The only U.S.-based major outboard manufacturer, with a racing heritage dating to founder Carl Kiekhaefer and the famous 6-cylinder "Tower of Power." Widely used in commercial and government/patrol fleets.
Company at a Glance
- Stock / Ticker
- NYSE: BC — parent Brunswick Corporation
- Employees
- 5,200+ worldwide (Mercury Marine), including roughly 2,200 union workers at the Fond du Lac campus
- Annual Revenue
- $5.24 billion (2024, Brunswick Corporation)
- Manufacturing
- 9 manufacturing plants worldwide
- Key Plant Locations
- Fond du Lac, WI (HQ, ~3M sq ft) • St. Cloud, FL • Juárez, Mexico • Petit-Rechain, Belgium • Komagane, Japan • Suzhou, China
- U.S. Presence
- The only U.S.-headquartered major outboard builder, with the largest domestic dealer and service footprint.
Brunswick is a marine-focused company and Mercury is its largest (propulsion) segment, so this figure tracks the marine business closely. Group revenue fell from $6.40B in 2023 during a post-pandemic correction; the propulsion segment returned to growth (about +10%) by Q3 2025. Figures are point-in-time snapshots from company filings for the year shown; stock price and market value change daily — check the ticker for live pricing.
What Mercury Is Famous For
American-built performance and racing pedigree. Mercury Racing is a household name in high-horsepower and offshore circles, and the brand carries the widest U.S. service network — a big reason it dominates repower conversations.
Where Mercury Shines on the Water
Tournament Bass Fishing
A dominant tournament choice — at the 2020 Bassmaster Classic the top 8 finishers all ran Mercury 250 Pro XS, and 33 of 53 boats in the field were Mercury-powered.
Offshore Powerboat Racing
Mercury Racing (450R, 300R, and APX competition engines) is deeply rooted in offshore and closed-course racing.
Repower & High-Horsepower
The 600 hp Verado and SmartCraft rigging make Mercury a go-to for large multi-engine repowers.
Dealers & Service
Mercury runs the largest outboard dealer and service network in the U.S. Factory support, parts availability, and repower expertise are a core advantage — especially for domestic buyers who want service close to home. Certified-technician training runs through Mercury University, though brands do not publish head-counts of certified mechanics.
Best For
High performance, offshore power, and repowers backed by the widest U.S. service network.
- ✓Broadest HP range of any outboard brand (portable through 600 hp)
- ✓Deep U.S. dealer, parts, and service network
- ✓Strong repower and multi-engine offshore support via SmartCraft
Browse Mercury Outboards For Sale
Official Mercury Links
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