Brunswick Realigns Global Marine Operations to Better Transition for Growth
OutdoorHub 03.06.12
Brunswick Corporation today announced several actions designed to more clearly align and delineate its global marine operations to better exploit market opportunities, sharpen market focus and enhance growth as the world’s marine market continues to evolve.
“For many years, several Brunswick boat brands based in Europe and Asia have been under the Mercury Marine umbrella, a structure that naturally developed over time as Mercury made investments in these ventures,” explained Dustan E. McCoy, Brunswick’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Going forward, these brands, which include Arvor, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Uttern and Valiant boats, will be managed as part of the Brunswick Boat Group. This alignment will allow for a comprehensive strategic approach to boat market opportunities around the globe, and enable us to better share and concentrate our worldwide resources to develop new boats, products and features, and augment our dealer network. This realignment will also allow Mercury, under the leadership of its president, Mark Schwabero, to focus its full time and attention on implementing its significant growth plans in marine engine and related markets.”
Andrew E. Graves, president of the Brunswick Boat Group, will now direct and coordinate the global efforts of all Brunswick boat brands. Joining Graves’ management team as president of Hatteras and Cabo Yachts will be David O’Connell. He will succeed James E. Meyers, who has overseen the consolidation of those two brands.
“We approach the next phase of Hatteras and Cabo development with enthusiasm as Dave’s experience and skills will accelerate efforts to design and manufacture exceptional products, develop new markets, strengthen existing ones, and identify continuing improvements to support our dealers and customers,” McCoy said.
“Dave brings more than 20 years of extensive yacht experience to these brands, and will be instrumental in driving the successful execution of the business improvement plans now underway in New Bern,” Graves said. “Dave has successfully led the Merritt Island product development and engineering team, supporting Sea Ray, Meridian and Bayliner brands during the past five years. Prior to his role at product development and engineering, Dave spent seven years leading Sea Ray’s sport yacht/yacht sales and marketing teams.”
