Two weeks ago, Brunswick Corp. announced a restructuring plan with the aim to save $300 million in operating costs. Included in the announcement was news that it would cut 1,000 jobs, and potentially 1,700 more jobs at a future date. Additionally, the company said it plans to close a total of 12 plants by the end of 2009.
Prior to that announcement, Brunswick had already scuttled its Bluewater boat brands, which included Sea Pro, Sea Boss, Palmetto and Laguna, and furloughed workers at Sea Ray and Boston Whaler.
Freshwater Slowdown
In the time since, the industry has wondered whether Brunswick's freshwater brands would see a similar downsizing.
News broke this week that Crestliner Boats (a Brunswick boat brand) eliminated several positions within its marketing department.
Employees were notified of the move on Monday. Among those laid off were marketing manager Andrew Youngquist and national promotional manager John Janousek. The two worked closely with the company's pro staff, which numbers 33 anglers, according to Crestliner's website.
An email sent to pros and obtained by WalleyeFan noted that Crestliner has appointed current VP of sales Matt Vranich to coordinate all pro staff operations.
The email included a quote attributed to Vranich: "While our pro staff has been a key component of our marketing strategy in the past, we need to look at its role in the future. Though we do anticipate having people on the group championing our brand moving forward, we are not yet clear on the structure of the group."
Vranich didn't return a message seeking comment today. Members of Crestliner's pro staff contacted by WalleyeFan today expressed concern over the moves but declined to comment.
The news of the Crestliner cuts is at least a little curious. Shortly after Brunswick's restructuring announcement 2 weeks ago, company spokesman Dan Kubera told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that Lund and Crestliner wouldn't feel any immediately impact.
In light of the Crestliner layoffs, speculation persists as to whether similar cutbacks lie ahead at Lund, another Minnesota-based Brunswick property, as well as at other Brunswick boat brands such as Lowe, Triton and Trophy.
Engine manufacturer Mercury Marine, also owned by Brunswick, laid off 50 salaried employees in April of this year.
Notable
> Brunswick isn't the only marine manufacturer forced to adjust within the current market. Genmar Holdings recently laid off 35 of 700 workers at its Larson/Glastron plant in Little Falls, Minn., Ranger Boats changed its production schedule to two shifts, 3 days a week, and Bass Cat released 17 workers.
