Brunswick to Close Joinville Facility, Migrate Boat Manufacturing from Brazil

by: Daniel Kubera,

Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) today announced it will immediately begin to wind down boat manufacturing operations in Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil, as it prepares to close the facility.  The operation manufactures certain Bayliner and Sea Ray boat models for the South American market.  Moving forward, this demand will be fulfilled through Brunswick's remaining global boat manufacturing footprint. 

"The region's continued weak economy has made it difficult to profitably serve these markets with a dedicated manufacturing facility," explained Huw Bower, president - Brunswick Boat Group.  "With our existing commercial infrastructure and channel presence, we can return to our previous model of importing boats to the region to more efficiently and effectively fulfill demand to this important market."

The Company said the resulting restructuring charges are estimated to be in the range of $10 million to $12 million pretax, substantially all of which will be recorded in the first quarter of 2017.  Further, these actions are projected to have a modestly positive impact on earnings and a minimal impact on free cash flow, with the majority of the earnings benefit occurring in 2018.

The Company further stated that this decision has no impact on its strategy or plans for Brunswick's Mercury Marine engine business or its Life Fitness business in the region.  Though the region's economy continues to be challenging, its effects have been more pronounced on the boat business.

About Brunswick
Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., Brunswick Corporation's  leading consumer brands include Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives and inboard engines; MotorGuide trolling motors; Attwood, Garelick and Whale marine parts and accessories; Land 'N' Sea, Kellogg Marine, Payne's Marine and BLA parts and accessories distributors; Bayliner, Boston Whaler, Brunswick Commercial and Government Products, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris, Lowe, Lund, Meridian, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Sea Ray, Thunder Jet and Uttern; Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, Cybex, Indoor Cycling Group  and SCIFIT fitness equipment; InMovement products and services for productive well-being; and Brunswick billiards tables, accessories and game room furniture. For more information, visit http://www.brunswick.com.