Page 66: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2025)

TECH FEATURE engines inc.

POWERING U.S. WORKBOATS FOR

GENERATIONS + INTO THE FUTURE

By Greg Trauthwein ith the introduction of the JD18 and JD14 en- and support vessel markets. But that pro? le is changing as gines for maritime use, John Deere now offers engines, inc. positions itself for growth on the propulsion a main propulsion package in the 800 hp range. side, supported by new product lines and expanded territory.

Dave Hughes, Marine Director of engines inc., “engines, inc., is on pace for nearly $100 million in annual

W a long-tenured John Deere distributor, discusses the new en- sales,” said Hughes. “That speaks to how our footprint and the gines and their applications in the workboat space. demand for our Industrial and Marine solutions have grown engines, inc. has roots dating back nearly a century, a across the U.S., Mexico, and Central America.” fourth-generation family leadership model that has built its In maritime, every minute of downtime equals lost reve- reputation on more than just supplying engines. It provides nue, and engines, inc. has built its reputation not just on new reliable power, responsive service and deep technical support, engine supply, but on service responsiveness. The company anchored by a longstanding partnership with John Deere. supports a network of 20+ marine service dealers and main-

Now it enters a new era of growth and capability, thanks to tains a ? eet of factory-trained technicians ready to deploy the introduction of two new marine engine platforms: the John from its home base.

Deere JD14 and JD18. “Our customers don’t want apologies, they want uptime,”

Founded in 1978 — but tracing its family business histo- Hughes emphasized. “We’ve got great dealers and employees ry with John Deere back to 1935 — engines, inc. has long who understand that—and who are willing to get on the road played a leading role in powering America's working vessels, at 2 a.m. if needed to keep a vessel running.” especially along the inland waterways. Today engines, inc. to- That service-? rst approach is reinforced by in-house train- tals more than 100 employees and three facilities with nearly ing programs, dedicated product specialists, and strong tech- 300,000 square feet in Jonesboro, Arkansas. nical alignment with OEM partners.

Led by Dave Hughes in the marine sector, the company sup-

JD14 & JD18: New Maritime Muscle ports an annual throughput of 400–450 marine engine units, primarily John Deere marine auxiliaries, into the inland barge The launch of John Deere’s JD14 and JD18 engines marks “Our customers don’t want apologies, they want uptime. We’ve got great dealers and employees who un- derstand that—and who are willing to get on the road at 2 a.m. if needed to keep a ves- sel running.”

Dave Hughes

Marine Director, engines inc.

Image courtesy engines inc.

66 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • November 2025

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