Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) announced Friday it will exit the sport boat business in the coming months.
The Quebec-based parent company of Evinrude and Sea-Doo cited the continuing decline in global sales across the marine industry, especially in the sport boat segment, as the main reason.
"This is a difficult but necessary decision for BRP," said José Boisjoli, president and CEO of BRP. "We worked hard to grow our sport boat business through a serious sales decline that began in 2007. But now, we must focus our research and development resources and capital investments in areas of our business that offer greater growth potential."
BRP entered the boat manufacturing business in 1994 and purchased the assets of Celebrity Boats in 1995, at which time it moved its facility to Benton, Ill.
Boisjoli said BRP attempted to sell off its sport boat business, but couldn’t find a buyer.
"Consequently, we decided not to resume production of the upcoming model year due to seasonal production planning requirements," he added.
All impacted employees will receive a transition package and BRP will continue to provide parts and honor warranties for its customers.
