LAKE FOREST, Ill., Feb 28, 2007 -- Brunswick Corporation announced today it is bringing together its saltwater and freshwater boat brands under a new umbrella, the Brunswick Outboard Boat Group.
This new combined organization will be under the leadership of Andrew E. Graves, who most recently was president of the Freshwater Boat Group, which has been consolidated into the new organization. Graves will continue to report to Dustan E. McCoy, Brunswick's chairman and chief executive officer.
The Brunswick's Outboard Boat Group will be comprised of the Boston Whaler, Crestliner, HarrisKayot, Laguna, Lowe, Lund, Palmetto, Princecraft, Sea Boss, Sea Pro and Triton brands. Brunswick Commercial and Government Products will also report to Graves. As a result of this consolidation, the position of president of the Saltwater Group is eliminated, and Michael W. Myers will leave the company.
Already in 2007, the troubled company has sold its Brunswick New Technologies' portable navigation device division and Brunswick New Technologies' marine electronics operations, in addition to restructuring its marine operations prior to today's announcement. Brunswick announced in April 2006 its decision to pursue the sale of substantially all of its BNT business unit. PND was sold to Tawain's MiTAC International Corporation. Navico International Ltd., based in Norway, recently agreed to buy BNT's marine electronics brands, including MX Marine, Northstar and relevant operations of Navman. Efforts to sell Navman's remaining fleet management operations continue.
McCoy said, "We need to do all that we can to operate effectively and profitably. That means constantly reviewing our market positions, our product portfolio and our relationships with our customers. This move further refines and defines our organization, bringing together leading brands and a collective knowledge base. We plan to further harness and leverage our expertise in a more focused and timely fashion as we continue to execute against our core strategies, emphasizing the critical need to: get the product right, get the distribution right, be best cost in our industries, be global and attract and retain talent."
Povlin to head Bluewater Group
Brunswick also announced that Jay Povlin, vice president - sales, marketing and product integration for Mercury MerCruiser, will join the Outboard Boat Group as president of the Bluewater Group, which includes the Laguna, Palmetto, Sea Boss and Sea Pro brands. Before Mercury, Povlin held leadership positions at Baja Marine. Povlin will report to Graves.
"Jay will provide focused leadership to the Bluewater Group, and will be a valued addition to the saltwater team," Graves said. "He brings a record of accomplishment and a passion for his work to this job. Jay will be a tireless catalyst for growth and success for his brands and his dealers."