Market Outlook
BRP won’t renew Brunswick agreement
Boating Industry
Friday March 25, 2005
STURTEVANT, Wis. – Bombardier Recreational Products’ will not renew its supplier agreement with Brunswick Corp. for the Lund, Lund Canada, Crestliner, and Lowe boat brands BRP executive vice president Roch Lambert said in the latest edition of the company’s „The Real Deal‰ newsletter.
BRP recently informed Brunswick of its decision not to renew the supplier agreement with them for these boat companies, but Lambert said BRP would fulfill orders received through June 30 in order to support its dealers to the end of the current season.
„As you know, one year ago, Brunswick Corporation purchased the Lund, Lund Canada, Crestliner, and Lowe boat brands from Genmar Holdings, Inc.,‰ Lambert wrote. „In order to support our dealer network following that acquisition, we signed a one-year agreement with Brunswick to ensure a smooth transition for everyone involved.
„We feel that transition has been managed and we are now focusing on long-term business relationships.‰
Lambert said BRP’s decision was in line with its strategy to support our independent boat builder customers, and said BRP is dedicated to building relationships with boat companies and dealers that are committed to growing a successful business with Evinrude and Johnson outboard engines.
„Your BRP district manager will work with you to investigate other transom opportunities with our current OEM partners that will maximize your company’s business initiative for 2006 and beyond,‰ he wrote.
Lambert also told the dealers that BRP’s first quarter boat show results have been „very positive,‰ and that the Evinrude E-TEC is gaining momentum, thanks to our saturation on TV with the infomercial and our commercials.