Brunswick Corp. (BC) said it plans to consolidate its aluminum
boat production, phasing out and closing its plant in Little Falls,
Minn., by this fall.
"For the past several years, we have worked hard to institute
more flexibility into our boat-making capabilities," said Brunswick
Chairman and Chief Executive Dustan E. McCoy. "We have been
steadily moving toward 'category'-type production that focuses more
on models and segments, rather than the traditional approach of
having manufacturing facilities dedicated to a particular
brand."
The Illinois-based maker of boats and marine motors will
transfer production of its Crestliner and Triton aluminum boats,
currently made in Little Falls, to plants in New York, Missouri and
Indiana.
About half of the 180 production positions in Little Falls will
be cut, and as many as 90 positions "could eventually be
transferred" to the three other facilities, according to a
Brunswick spokesman.
The company last week said its fourth-quarter loss widened as
sales dropped. The company has seen demand wane as big-ticket items
have fared poorly during the recession. Brunswick has responded by
downsizing, lowering output and cutting inventory.
Shares were up 7.2% to $11.68 in recent trading amid a broad
market rally.
-By Nathan Becker, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2855; nathan.becker@dowjones.com;