In light of this week’s news of layoffs at Crestliner Boats and their possible impact on Crestliner’s pro staff, Brunswick Corporation spokesman Dan Kubera on Tuesday issued the following statement to WalleyeFan via email:
“As you know, the economy has taken a toll on the marine industry and has put pressure on all companies in this industry.
”For our planning purposes, Brunswick is not assuming that these pressures will abate any time soon. As a result, we are planning for an environment in which the U.S. marine market will be smaller in the near term, and we will resize our company accordingly. Our objective is to thrive and prosper while the U.S. marine market remains under pressure and to outperform when we see a rebound in demand.
”Most recently, Brunswick announced it will be reducing fixed-costs by $300 million and resizing the company to match the current market conditions. It will also be implementing a new matrix operating model that will more efficiently provide common support functions and administrative services across all Brunswick business units, lowering spending in all functional and operations activities, and reducing its work force by as much as an additional 1,000 hourly and 700 salaried employees.
”Unfortunately, as part of this overall effort, several positions were eliminated at Crestliner this week. As we move forward and continue to seek ways to remove costs and improve efficiencies, there will be similar actions such as these at Crestliner throughout the organization as we step up the pace and magnitude of these efforts.
”There has been no change, at this time, in the pro staff status at Crestliner.”
