Marine
Brunswick Dealer Advantage Celebrates Its Inaugural Year in Canada
LAKE FOREST, Ill., May 4, 2009 – Since its introduction to Brunswick marine dealers in Canada this time last year, Brunswick Dealer Advantage has increased the number of programs available to dealers from 10 to 18. New benefits include college scholarships for dealership employees’ children, group rates for employee auto and home insurance, preferred pricing for business insurance, and much more.
“Through communication with our Canadian dealers, we’ve identified specific areas where Brunswick can leverage its resources to help our dealers build long-term value in their businesses,” said Brunswick Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dustan E. McCoy. “Stronger dealers contribute to stronger Brunswick brands.”
To help Brunswick marine dealers optimize profitability, Brunswick Dealer Advantage programs target three specific areas: enhancing the retail customer buying experience; attracting and retaining employees; and achieving operational excellence through improving productivity and reducing costs. Dealers eligible to participate in Brunswick Dealer Advantage include marine dealerships that are in good standing and carry Brunswick boats, Mercury engines, Brunswick parts and accessories, and Mercury service-only dealers. There is no cost to participate in Brunswick Dealer Advantage, and dealers may opt to participate in all or some of the benefits depending on their unique business needs.
Ken MacDonald at Bayport Yachting Centre, in Midland, Ontario, said the son of his dealership’s parts manager received one of dozens of $2,500 college scholarships available to the children of dealership employees. “With the assistance of the Brunswick Dealer Advantage program, David Brett, Jr. is currently enrolled in his first year of a three-year program at Sheridan College."
“Supporting our dealers and protecting the overall health of the distribution network has always been a fundamental principle at Brunswick, and Brunswick Dealer Advantage is an important element of this strategy,” explained McCoy. “We work with dealers on every level to help them succeed and distinguish themselves, which anyone can tell you, is no easy task in today’s difficult marketplace.
“Our wide-reaching efforts, in concert with our dealers, are targeted toward protecting and advancing their businesses,” he continued. “Beyond Dealer Advantage, these efforts include such items as same- or next-day availability of parts and accessories, dealer certification and a number of other measures to help dealers be more efficient, effective and profitable. Brunswick Dealer Advantage augments and enhances this multifaceted approach to supporting our dealers.”
Although Brunswick management is quick to point out that Dealer Advantage’s primary emphasis is on building long-term dealership value with cost reductions as a secondary goal, the average participating dealer is saving thousands of dollars annually. In 2007, Brunswick Dealer Advantage’s pilot program was first introduced in the United States. Since that time, approximately half of all Brunswick dealers in North America are enrolled in at least one program and have saved a total of more than $5 million (U.S.) dollars.
“Cost savings are definitely easier to quantify,” said Kirsten Schuchardt, Brunswick Dealer Advantage specialist. “However, programs like Web site development, lead management, extended service plans, and employee benefits like disability insurance really have the most potential impact on the dealership’s long-term success.”
Dealers can learn more about Brunswick Dealer Advantage by visiting its dedicated Web site at www.brunswickdealeradvantage.ca or by calling 1-877 GO-ADVTG (462-3884).
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; Arvor, Bayliner, Bermuda, Boston Whaler, Cabo Yachts, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris, Hatteras, Kayot, Lowe, Lund, Maxum, Meridian, Ornvik, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Sea Ray, Sealine, Triton, Trophy, Uttern and Valiant boats; Attwood marine parts and accessories; Land 'N' Sea, Kellogg Marine, Diversified Marine and Benrock parts and accessories distributors; IDS dealer management systems; Life Fitness and Hammer Strength fitness equipment; Brunswick bowling centers, equipment and consumer products; Brunswick billiards tables; and Dynamo, Tornado and Valley pool tables, Air Hockey and foosball tables. For more information, visit http://www.brunswick.com.
Contact: Dan Kubera
Director – Media Relations and Corporate Communications
Phone: 847-735-4617
Email: daniel.kubera@brunswick.com
