Corporate and Financial
Brunswick Announces Executive Promotions
LAKE FOREST, Ill., Feb 07, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Brunswick Corporation
(NYSE: BC) announced today several executive management moves and promotions
from within its ranks, aimed at better leveraging its deep management talent
and sharing their skills and experiences across all of its market-leading
businesses.
"We have a broad and truly wonderful group of accomplished managers within
Brunswick," Chairman and Chief Executive Officer George W. Buckley said. "The
depth of this management pool -- their skills, expertise, diligence and
enthusiasm -- is a primary reason why Brunswick has significantly improved its
financial and operating performance in recent years, even while experiencing
tremendous growth. These appointments will ensure that forward momentum
continues as we seek new ways to continue to advance and grow all of our
businesses and solidify our leadership in the marine, fitness and bowling and
billiards markets."
Peter B. Hamilton, 58, Brunswick vice chairman and president - Brunswick
Bowling & Billiards, will become president of Brunswick's Life Fitness
Division, reporting to Buckley. Hamilton has been in charge of bowling and
billiards since 2000, and originally joined Brunswick in 1995 as its senior
vice president and chief financial officer.
"A stalwart on our corporate staff, Peter has further distinguished
himself as an excellent leader in operations, overseeing the revitalization
and expansion of our bowling and billiards operations, including significant
improvement of its operating margins and financial performance," Buckley said.
At Life Fitness, Hamilton will succeed Kevin S. Grodzki, 49, who has
headed the fitness segment since 2000. Grodzki will become president of
Mercury Marine's MerCruiser operations, the world's largest maker of
sterndrive engines and a unit of Mercury Marine. Grodzki will report to
Patrick C. Mackey, president - Mercury Marine.
"Under Kevin's guidance, Life Fitness has brought more than 100 new
products to market," Buckley said. "He also has been instrumental in ensuring
that Life Fitness has the proper global manufacturing footprint to both better
serve our markets and customers as well as improve productivity. Kevin has
led Life Fitness' growth in Europe, including the establishment of two new
plants in Hungary."
Grodzki will replace John W. S. Ward, 48, currently president - Mercury
MerCruiser. Ward will return to Brunswick's Boston Whaler offshore fishing
boat operations, where he once was senior vice president of sales and
marketing, to become president of Boston Whaler. Ward will replace Michael W.
Myers, who recently was promoted to president - Saltwater Boat Group, which
includes the Boston Whaler, Sea Pro, Sea Boss and Palmetto brands. Ward will
report to Myers.
"John Ward is a marine industry veteran with a record of accomplishment on
both the boat and engine sides of the business," Buckley said. "He will
strengthen an already capable management team that will greatly improve our
presence in the growing offshore, saltwater fishing market."
Stepping into Hamilton's role will be John E. Stransky, 53, who is being
promoted from president - Brunswick Billiards. In his new duties as president
- Brunswick Bowling & Billiards, Stransky will report to Buckley as well as
continue to be responsible for billiards until a replacement is named.
Stransky has led billiards since 1998, where he has overseen a very successful
and comprehensive re-branding effort.
"Our billiards business, where it all began 160 years ago, is still the
leader in the market," Buckley said, "attracting customers with exciting new
products and traditional craftsmanship. John's energy and vision are a big
part of that success."
All changes are effective immediately and transition activities are
underway, according to Buckley.
About Brunswick
Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., Brunswick Corporation endeavors to
instill "Genuine Ingenuity"(TM) in all its leading consumer brands, including
Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives and
inboard engines; MotorGuide trolling motors; Teignbridge propellers; MotoTron
electronic controls; Northstar marine electronics; Navman marine and GPS-based
products; IDS dealer management systems; Sea Ray, Bayliner, Maxum, Hatteras,
Meridian, Sealine, Bermuda, Ornvik, Quicksilver, Savage and Uttern pleasure
boats; Baja high-performance boats; Arvor, Boston Whaler, Palmetto, Sea Boss,
Sea Pro and Trophy offshore fishing boats; Crestliner, Lowe, Lund and
Princecraft aluminum fishing, deck and pontoon boats; Attwood marine parts and
accessories; Land 'N' Sea marine parts and accessories distributor; Life
Fitness, Hammer Strength and ParaBody fitness equipment; Brunswick bowling
centers, equipment and consumer products; Brunswick billiards tables; and
Valley-Dynamo pool, Air Hockey and foosball tables. For more information,
visit http://www.brunswick.com .
SOURCE Brunswick Corporation
Dan Kubera, Director - Public and Financial Relations of Brunswick Corporation,
+1-847-735-4617
http://www.prnewswire.com
