engines, inc.: Powering U.S. Workboats for Generations — and Into the Future

As the U.S. inland and coastal workboat markets continue to evolve — driven by emissions regulations, operational demands and economic pressure — engines, inc. remains firmly at the center of the action. With roots dating back nearly a century and a fourth-generation family leadership model, this Arkansas-based company has built its reputation on more than just supplying engines. engines, inc. delivers reliable power, responsive service, and deep technical support, anchored by its longstanding partnership with John Deere. Now, the company is entering a new era of growth and capability, thanks to the introduction of two new marine engine platforms: the John Deere JD14 and JD18.

Founded in 1978 — but tracing its family business history with John Deere back to 1935 — engines, inc. has long played a leading role in powering America's working vessels, especially along the inland waterways. Today engines, inc. totals more than 100 employees and three facilities with nearly 300,000 square feet in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Led by Dave Hughes in the marine sector, the company supports an annual throughput of 400–450 marine engine units, primarily John Deere marine auxiliaries, into the inland barge and support vessel markets. But that profile is changing as engines, inc. positions itself for growth on the propulsion side, supported by new product lines and expanded territory. “Engines, inc., is on pace for nearly $100 million in annual sales,” said Hughes. “That speaks to how our footprint and the demand for our Industrial and Marine solutions have grown across the U.S., Mexico, and Central America.”

These engines are a major step forward. With the JD18, we’re looking at a constant-duty 800 hp engine that stays below Tier 4 thresholds, meaning no after treatment or urea — a big win for vessel operators.”

- Dave Hughes,
Marine Director, engines inc.

Service is Central

In maritime, every minute of downtime equals lost revenue, engines, inc. has built its reputation not just on new engine supply, but on service responsiveness. The company supports a network of 20+ marine service dealers and maintains a fleet of factory-trained technicians ready to deploy from its home base.

“Our customers don’t want apologies, they want uptime,” Hughes emphasized. “We’ve got great dealers and employees who understand that—and who are willing to get on the road at 2 a.m. if needed to keep a vessel running.”

That service-first approach is reinforced by in-house training programs, dedicated product specialists, and strong technical alignment with OEM partners like John Deere.

JD14 & JD18: New Muscle for Maritime

The launch of John Deere’s JD14 and JD18 engines marks a pivotal development in the company’s marine offering. Historically offering propulsion engines but more recognized for their focus on auxiliary applications, John Deere now breaks into higher horsepower propulsion, offering new options for vessel operators looking for Tier 3 simplicity, extended durability and fuel efficiency.

“These engines are a major step forward,” Hughes said. “With the JD18, we’re looking at a constant-duty 800 hp engine that stays below Tier 4 thresholds, meaning no after treatment or urea — a big win for vessel operators.”

The engines feature completely redesigned platforms including overhead camshafts and rear gear train configurations, which contribute to reduced noise, improved service access, and enhanced fuel economy. However, the JD14 model, is engineered with single-circuit cooling for easier keel-cooled or radiator-based installations — especially important in compact engine rooms.

“These aren’t repurposed engines — they’re built for the workboat sector from the ground up,” Hughes added.

Though already deployed successfully in John Deere Construction, Ag, and Forestry, and industrial OEM applications like high-demand pump systems, the marine variants of the JD14 and JD18 are now being introduced for early vessel validation, with full commercial availability targeted for Q1 2026.

“On the marine side, we are just starting to ship the early validation engines to customers, [and across the entire John Deer distribution network] we have about 12 different installations throughout the U.S.,” said Hughes. “Now is the perfect time for us to start talking to customers, getting the information in front of them so that we can be spec'd in and we can be ready to go when the engines are available for delivery.”

While the industry keeps a close eye on hybrids and alternative fuels, Hughes is pragmatic. “We’re seeing diesel-electric systems gaining traction — modular gensets that scale with demand. But if you can achieve 10–20% fuel efficiency gains with the right diesel engine, that’s often the most direct path to improving TCO [total cost of ownership].”

Whether it’s rethinking propulsion packages, expanding service coverage, or supporting cutting-edge engine launches, Engines, Inc. remains grounded in a philosophy of partnership, uptime, and practical performance.

“Inland marine isn’t just our market,” Hughes said. “It’s in our DNA. And with the JD14 and JD18, we’re ready for the next chapter.”