Brunswick Corporation : Brunswick Corporation Acquires Bell Industries' Recreational Products Group
Strengthens, Broadens Parts & Accessories Distribution
LAKE FOREST, Ill. Aug. 1, 2014 - Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) today
announced that it has acquired Bell Recreational Products Group, a subsidiary of
Bell Industries. Bell RPG is a distributor of parts and accessories (P&A) to
the marine, recreational vehicle and powersports markets, serving primarily the
Upper Midwest through locations in Eagan, Minn., Grand Rapids, Mich. and
Milwaukee, Wis. Bell RPG had sales of approximately $40 million in 2013. Terms
of the transaction were not disclosed.
"The addition of Bell RPG to our growing P&A portfolio will enhance our
leadership in the U.S. marine market by further solidifying our footprint in the
Upper Midwest," explained Brunswick Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dustan
E. McCoy. "Additionally, Bell RPG offers a number of complementary products,
particularly those serving the RV and powersports industries, to add to our
marine P&A portfolio. With this transaction we continue to increase our product
depth and breadth as well as establish a presence in new product categories and
industries, consistent with our strategy of using our cash to grow our core
businesses."
Earlier this year, Brunswick completed the acquisition of Whale, a leading
manufacturer of water movement and heating systems for the marine, recreational
vehicle and a variety of niche markets. The addition of Whale and Bell RPG
extends the prominence of the Brunswick marine P&A network, a leading provider
of marine P&A products and distribution to the global marine industry. Through
its Attwood and Whale marine parts, accessories and products; and its Land 'N'
Sea, Kellogg Marine, and Diversified Marine parts and accessories distributors,
Brunswick serves a wide spectrum of marine providers including boat and engine
dealers, boat manufacturers and dealers, warehouse distributors, retailers and
original equipment manufacturers.
"Parts and accessories has become an increasingly important part of our business
at Brunswick," explained Brunswick President and Chief Operating Officer Mark D.
Schwabero. "By incorporating these acquisitions into our current P&A
operations, we believe we can enhance the growth of the P&A business; broaden
the product portfolio; enable our entry into attractive adjacent markets, and
expand our global presence in the P&A space."
Bell RPG will operate as part of Land 'N' Sea, the leading marine P&A
distributor in North America, ultimately reporting to Mercury Marine's P&A
operations, which are based in Fond du Lac, Wis. The acquisition is expected to
have a minimal impact upon Brunswick's 2014 earnings.
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; Attwood, Whale and Bell RPG marine parts
and accessories; Land 'N' Sea, Kellogg Marine, Diversified Marine and Bell RPG
parts and accessories distributors; Bayliner, Boston Whaler, Brunswick
Commercial and Government Products, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris FloteBote,
Lowe, Lund, Meridian, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Sea Ray and Uttern
boats; Life Fitness and Hammer Strength fitness equipment, and Brunswick
billiards tables and table tennis. For more information, visit
http://www.brunswick.com.
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| Contact: | Bruce Byots |
| | Vice President - Corporate and Investor Relations |
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| Phone: | 847-735-4612 |
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| Email: | bruce.byots@brunswick.com |
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| Contact: | Daniel Kubera |
| | Director - Media Relations and Corporate Communications |
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| Phone: | 847-735-4617 |
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| Email: | daniel.kubera@brunswick.com |
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Source: Brunswick Corporation via GlobeNewswire
[HUG#1845621]
Released August 1, 2014