Brunswick Corporation
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Brunswick Corporation News Page
by RBBI |
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Brunswick corporate news. We provide extensive coverage of Brunswick news, especially Brunswick
Marine news. We also provide a Brunswick news archive. This page is operated by RBBI and is NOT an official Brunswick page. Brunswick Logo was removed 15 December 1997 at the request of Brunswick's Public Relations Dept.
21 March 2008 Brunswick announced the closing of its Baja boat building operation and sales of its assets
to Fountain.
28 Feb 2008 Mercury Marine shutdown all manufacturing operations in Fond du Lac (except propellers), for
a week beginning Monday 25 Feb. due to rising inventories. See Soundings Trade Only Online. 28 Feb 2008.
22 Jan 2008 Brunswick announced the retirement of Patrick C. Mackey as President of Mercury Marine
effective March 1st.
12 Oct 2007 MerCruiser's Axius stern drive recieved the Boat Writers International Innovation Award
for Inboard Drives at IBEX this morning for its twin Bravo III stern drives that steer together without
the use of a tie bar (SmartCraft Joystick Docking technology).
11 Oct 2007 David Foulkes named VP of Research and Development at Mercury Marine. Formerly from Ford
European operations.
14 Sept 2007 Brunswick completes purchase of 100 percent of Rayglass, New Zealand's largest boat builder.
1 August 2007 Lost Patent Verdict Impacts Brunswick's Second Quarter Earnings. IBI Magazine. 1 August 2007. A jury
trial awarded Electromotive about $3 million in damages in a patent infringment claim against Mercury Marine
for engine timing and the firing of cylinders.
26 July 2007 Mercruiser Employee Injured During Work. Stillwater Newspress. 26 July 2007. A male employee with
24 years of service was injured in the engine test cell area. Stillwater Police & Fire Depts were dispatched
at 8:20 am. The man was flown by helicopter to St. Johns Hospital in Tulsa. He had been "struck by an object
which resulted in a laceration to the upper right side of his head."
14 May 2007 letter from Brunswick to the Carbon Disclosure Project states Brunswick is unable to participate
in the project for 2007.
22 Feb 2007 Brunswick announced the sale of its Brunswick New Technology Portable Navigation Device (PND)
operations (NAVMAN) to MiTAC International Corporation. After its April announcement to sell most of its
BNT unit, Navico International recently agreed to buy the marine electronics brands (MX Marine, Northstar, and
marine portions of NAVMAN). BC is still looking for a buyer for NAVMAN's fleet management operations.
Brunswick Press Release PR Newswire 22 Feb 2007.
23 Jan 2007 Mercury MerCruiser announced a new 100HP stern drive called Vazer to be built in Stillwater. Its a 1.6L GM Vortec SOHC-4 with a compact stern drive. Production is scheduled to begin in March in Stillwater per IBI news.
28 April 2006 Brunswick purchased Diversified Marine Products a major west coast marine distributor based in Los Angeles with 2,000 customers in 10 states and 200 suppliers. Brunswick now has 17 marine wholesale distributors across the U.S. per IBI news.
27 April 2006 Brunswick announced proposed sale of Brunswick New Technologies (BNT). They expect to sell Navman, NorthStar and MX Marine brands, but retain MotoTron and Integrated Data Systems per IBI news. Other press releases report Merrill Lynch has been hired as financial advisor for the sale and Brunswick CEO saying as Brunswick focuses on its core segments (marine, fitness, bowling and billiards) they have decided continuing to invest in BNT to fuel its growth would not be consistent with BC long term objectives. He says they believe BNT's long term objectives may be better achieved under different ownership.
April 2006 Brunswick releases branded credit cards. "Will That Be Visa, MasterCard, or Brunswick?" article in Soundings Trade Only April 2006 page 20 details the program. The cards are basically only good for Brunswick products (exceptions vary by brand).
14 Feb 2006 Brunswick Corp. and MarineMax have jointly acquired The Great American Marine, a 95 slip marina and service facility located near St. Petersburg, Florida. MarineMax will own and operate the service portion of the property while Brunswick will own the 95-slip marina. Though Brunswick also owns a marina in China, this is the first venture of its kind in the US. per ibinews 14 Feb 2006.
7 Dec 2005 Dustin McCoy Elected Chairman and CEO of Brunswick. George Buckley resigned to head 3M, McCoy moved over from heading the Brunswick Boat Group since 2000. Brunswick Press Release.
19-23 Sep 2005 Production at MerCruiser will be shut down this week due to decreased demand (probably partially attributable to high fuel costs).
16 Sep 2005 Brunswick acquired Harris-Kayot fiberglass deckboats, pontoons, and runabouts. Harris-Kayot based in Fort Wayne IN was acquired on 5 June 2005 by Bently Industries, then resold to Brunswick today. Harris-Kayot employs about 175 people with annual sales of about $35 in 2004. The sale was reported in a Bruswick press release, by Soundings Trade Only and by IBI news.
14 Sep 2005 Irwin Jacobs of Genmar accused Brunswick / Mercury Marine of Predatory Pricing of Stern Drives in a three page letter to U.S. Independent Boatbuilders and Dealers. He says Brunswick is providing large rebates to "targeted" dealers if they order Mercruiser powered boats from Independent builders. The letter was reported by Soundings Trade Only and IBI news.
11 July 2005 Brunswick acquired Kellogg Marine, leading distributor of marine parts and accessories in the Northeast.
21 June 2005 Brunswick acquired the Portuguese company Supra-Industrial Textil, Lda., manufacturer of Valiant RIBs.
31 May 2005 Brunswick acquired Triton Boat Company with factories in Aberdeen MS and Ashland City TN employing about 600 people. Best known for their bass boats, Triton manufacturers 12 to 35 foot boats with annual sales of approximately $156 million in 2004.
13 May 2005 The University of Oregon Investment Group posted a nice analysis of Brunswick.
2 March 2005 Brunswick acquired Albemarle Boats. They will complement Brunswick's Hatteras operation targeting offshore sport fishing boats. Albemarle has 135 employees, was founded in 1978 and produces offshore sportfishing boats from 24 to 90 feet. Albemarle will remain in Edenton North Carolina, and become part of the Hatteras Group.
17 Feb 2005 Outboard Motors from Japan - 180 page report released on the Yamaha - Mercury outboard dumping case by the U.S. International Trade Commission. Investigation No. 731-TA-1069.
2 Feb 2005 Yamaha won the outboard dumping case brought by Mercury. Brunswick and Yamaha then settled the pricing and availability case brought forward after the dumping case was filed.
25 Jan 2005 - Brunswick Granted Approval to Purchase Benrock (marine distributor) by US Bankruptcy Court, Eastern Division of Arkansas, Little Rock Division. Soundings Trade Only online news 25 Jan 2005.
3 Jan 2005- Brunswick Acquired Sea Pro Boats and Sea Boss Boats of Newberry South Carolina for $51 million, plus $4 million more if they meet 2005 objectives per IBI News 3 Jan 2005. In a related story, Bombardier Recreational Products stated they will cease supplying engines for those brands (and Palmetto) per a Boating Industry story dated 6 Jan 2005.
Preliminary Outboard Dumping Ruling Favors Brunswick Brunswick Press Release 6 Aug. 2004.
Mercury Marine introduced their "Project X" drive, now called Verado, at the Miami boat show today.
It is a 2.6L supercharged inline 6 cylinder outboard. 12 Feb 2004.
9 Jan 2004 - Mercury Files Outboard Dumping Claim Against Yamaha with the U.S. International Trade Commission.
Brunswick Acquires Attwood Boat Parts & Accessories. Brunswick Press Release. 2 Sep. 2003.
Brunswick Acquires Land 'N' Sea. Brunswick Press Release. 23 June 2003.
Brunswick purchased Northstar Technologies, Inc., a leading marine navigational electronics firm. Brunswick Press Release. 16 Dec. 2002. NorthStar
Brunswick loses Sprietsma v. Mercury Marine propeller guard case in U.S. Supreme Court. RBBI. 3 Dec 2002.
Cummins and Mercury announce engine and stern drive joint venture.
14 Feb. 2002. Cummins Press Release.
Mercury Marine announced a new salt water operations facility in Miramar FL. to address U.S. and global
salt water boating markets. 26 Oct. 2001. Press Release.
Brunswick announced the purchase of Hatteras Yachts from Genmar 24 Oct. 2001. RBBI /Mr. Wizard.
Mercury MerCruiser Racing shows new integrated transom system.
8 August 2001 press release.
Bruswick to buy UK's Sealine International.
Boating Industry International. 7 June 2001. Reports Brunswick's intent to purchase Sealine Interational, a UK sport cruiser
and yacht builder.
Brunswick under FTC investigation.
Boating Industry International. 13 Mar 2001. Reports the FTC informed the Securities and Exchange Commission
in February they were investigating the possibility Brunswick's bids in the OMC auction violated antitrust laws.
Plus the Florida Dept of Environmental Protection is investigating alleged improper disposal of hazardous materials
at Merrit Island.
Brunswick slips quietly into Princecraft.
Boating Industry International. Mar 9, 2001. Reports Brunswick's recent purchase of Princecraft during the OMC bankruptcy
was not anticipated by the Canadian lawyer handling the sale till the deal was closed.
Brunswick closing 4 boat plants. Boating Industry
International article. 25 Jan 2001 reports closing 4 boat plants in effort to decrease inventories. This occurred during the
OMC bankruptcy proceedings.
MerCruiser celebrates building 2.5 millionth stern drive 4 Dec. 2000 Press Release
U.S. Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Brunswick Antitrust Case 6 Nov. 2000 Press Release.
Mackey Named President of Mercury Marine. 2 Oct 2000 Press Release.
Buckley named CEO and Chairman of the Board, Divesting Fishing, Camping, Bike units. 27 June 2000.
Buckley named BC President and COO 8 May 2000 Pres release
Stern Drive Anti-Trust Suit 1997-1999
Brunswick becomes a "Classic Case" in new FTC web site Anti-Trust Discussion
Mercury Brand Name Press Release / Force Discontinued
Dec. 1998
MercuryCare Press Release An Owner Services Progam
Dec. 1998
Mercury Marine Exhibit
at IMTEC98
October 1,2,3 1998
Brunswick Cuts 750 Jobs
Oct 1, 1998.
9 Million Share Block Sold
Dow Jones News Service 18 Sept 1998.
Stock Market Jitters - What does it mean for the boating industry?
RBBI 1 Sept 1998. Brunswick is covered in the Specific Stocks section.
Mercury Marine acquires MCA
Press Release 17 August 1998.
Recognizing and Dealing With Vendetta in rec.boats Brunswick
and their boats at Disney World were under attack by a poster in rec.boats in early August 1998. Story was posted by
RBBI 14 Aug 1998.
Mr. Wizard predicts "What's Next for Brunswick"
RBBI 5 Aug 1998.
Mercury Marine Inks 6 Year Deal with Orbital Engines
Orbital Engine press release 2 July 1998.
John Russell Named President of US Marine
2 July 1998 Press Release
MerCruiser Speaks Out on GM Strike Page
RBBI June/July 1998
Brunswick Buys Parabody Exercise Equipment Business
2 Feb. 1998
Brunswick Announces Acquisition of Hammer Strength Equipment Also includes some comments about BC recent acquisition strategy. 13 November 1997.
MerCruiser Christens Horizon Engine at IMTEC97
25 Sept. 1997
David Jones Named President and CEO of OMC at IMTEC 25 September 1997
Brunswick Pulls Plug on Mercury Marine PWC Project
5 Sept. 1997.
Brunswick Taps New Mercury Marine President
19 August 1997
Mercury Marine Establishes Web Site 24 June 1997 Report and Review of the Site by RBBI
"Brunswick's Latest Acquisition (Life Fitness / Lifecycle) Faces FTC Advertising Problems" . Wall Street Journal 18 June 1997 Pages B1 and B8.
Brunswick Acquires Life Fitness for $310 Million 4 June 1997 - Brunswick acquired the maker of Lifecycles in its biggest purchase yet in the recent "active recreation" acquisition binge.
"Brunswick Wades into New Waters" Business Week 2 June 1997. pages 67and 70. Article is an interview with CEO Peter N. Larson discussing recent acquisitions by Brunswick. It has an insert discussing recent problems at OMC.
Before we created this Brunswick page, we covered many Brunswick events in our Industry News Section.
Brief Introduction to Brunswick
Brunswick is a very major player in the marine industry with Mercury Marine, MerCruiser, Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Zebco and its many smaller boat companies. They recently rapidly diversified into other "active recreation" companies in an effort to minimize problems with economic cycles (boating industry is both seasonal and cyclical). They have long been a major player in bowling industry products, bowling facilities, and pool tables.
Brunswick is headquartered in the Chicago area at Lake Forest IL and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 1995. They were one of very last Fortune 500 companies to establish a web site.
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