Upstart Alera Marine Group Breaks Ground on New Production Facility

Burgeoning pontoon builder Alera Marine Group has broken ground on a 200,000 square foot facility in Elkhart, Indiana.

The manufacturing headquarters and company campus will be Alera's central hub and will provide complete production under one roof from beginning to end. It is expected to generate up to 400 jobs for the local economy. The building will also house all of the company's raw materials and vendor components to ensure quality control and production efficiency. The upstart brand launched its first design, the Model M, in July. The platform is available in 23' or 25' as either a bitoon or tritoon. The Model M features an 8'6'' beam, a 70 gallon (265 L) fuel tank, is rated for 12-14 passengers. It also carries an engine rating from a 150 hp Mercury Verado to a single 500R Mercury Racing outboard.

The 2026 Alera Model M

The company is founded by industry veteran Coley Brady, now serving as the company CEO, alongside General Manager Jordan Kistler and Vice President of Marketing Joe Mehl. The leadership group brings more than 200 years of experience to the marine industry. The upstart brand is already working with a team of more than 40 designers, engineers, and builders. “This facility reflects our belief that innovation should serve both the product and the people behind it,” Jordan Kistler, General Manager at Alera Marine Group, told BoatBlurb.

“Our investment in automation and modern manufacturing isn’t just about efficiency — it’s about creating a better, safer, and more empowering experience for our team. Propelling people forward is our mission, and it starts by building a workplace where our people can do their best work.” In addition to the facility's production capacity, the 46 acre property will also include a showroom and in-house digital studio. The capacity to present dealers and customers with engaging video, photography, and virtual tours offers another avenue for the company to capture it's clients vision. The back portion of the acreage will also feature Lake Alera, a private on-site testing site for developing and showcasing products.

“This isn’t just about building more boats. It’s about creating a space where innovation meets connection, whether it’s a dealer walking the floor or a customer exploring our lineup digitally," said Brady. “This new facility allows us to scale with purpose while maintaining tight control over quality, craftsmanship, and delivery," he added.

The company already has plans for a second production building on the property in 2027. Alera expects to be fully operational by the first quarter of 2026.

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