JT, after hearing all of this, I don't know if you will let a Formula tie up with all of you guys this year.

Think there's any open water yet? Ha Ha!

Surprised it took that long for the Bayliner remark to come out.

Its only bad if you throw up a little in your mouth! :D

:D:p True, true.

Would they not consider keeping the plant here in good ol ohio?

Brunswick stock is climbing fast, i wonder if things are hatching....

I have heard that Brunswick is getting into the windmill business. That seems to be a growing industry with energy so expensive.

I can't wait to see one the the new FAJA's

Nope, just us Bayliners and the rest of the third class
scum can tie up:D

....and no

http://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/dat...x480/SPKI4.jpg

Well as of two minutes ago it would be 100% official that Reggie Fountain now owns Baja.

I hear that they are closing the plant down and moving all the tooling to North Carolina. It sounds like Reggie is only interested in building a small number if the boats that Baja use to offer and all the small boats will no longer be offered.

I wish Reggie the best of luck with this new venture and I will support him and Baja as always. I know we all hope to see good things come from this.

My main concern is for all the current Baja employees that are not only friends and like family but have worked so hard for so long to bring us a product that we have all enjoyed. These are the folks that are hurt by a dela like this and I wish them all the very best.

WOW this is unbelievable and a whole new day for us Baja owners.

I wonder what effect, if any, this will have on our boat values?

My boat just went up $5k!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.fountainpowerboats.com/news/ne_mar2008.htm

Brunswick Announces Sale of Baja Marine Assets to Fountain Powerboats
LAKE FOREST, Ill., March 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) today announced the signing of a letter of intent to sell certain assets relating to its Baja boat business to Fountain Powerboat Industries, Inc., of Washington, N.C. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, and completion of the sale is subject to certain conditions. In preparation for the transition, Brunswick plans to end production of Baja boats in Bucyrus, Ohio, by the end of May, consistent with the end of the 2008 model year. As a result of these actions, the company said it estimates that asset write-downs, along with severance and other costs associated with the plant closure, could total between $10 million to $15 million, pre-tax.
"This was a strategic decision to further refine our product portfolio and best focus our resources on brands and marine segments that we believe are core to our success going forward," said Brunswick Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dustan E. McCoy. "This action in no way reflects upon Baja or the abilities and performance of the Bucyrus work force. We believe, however, that Baja and its dealers will ultimately benefit from being a part of Fountain Powerboats, a company that, like Baja, is a leader in high-performance boats."
When completed, the closing of the Baja plant will mean a loss of approximately 285 positions. Baja leadership will be working diligently to transfer as many employees as possible and practical to either Fountain or other Brunswick manufacturing facilities. For those employees who do not have the opportunity or do not wish to transfer, severance will be provided.
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; MotoTron electronic controls; Albemarle, Arvor, Baja, Bayliner, Bermuda, Boston Whaler, Cabo Yachts, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris, Hatteras, Kayot, Laguna, Lowe, Lund, Maxum, Meridian, Ornvik, Palmetto, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Savage, Sea Boss, Sea Pro, 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, Hammer Strength and ParaBody 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.
SOURCE: Brunswick Corporation
CONTACT: Daniel Kubera, Director - Media Relations and Corporate
Communications of Brunswick Corporation, +1-847-735-4617,
[email protected]
Web site: http://www.brunswick.com

It was kind of exciting news at first, but the reality it that it is another major blow to that area as far as jobs go. I always felt partial to Baja/Checkmate since they were hometown builders (Galion boy) and when I was looking they were the only two brands I considered. Oh well I guess.

Pretty soon that whole county is going to shrivel up and blow away. As a Crawford county native this sucks to hear another 285 people will get sheit-canned.

The New FAJA

:(

That picture sucks, I did'nt need to see that.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again....that's hideous!!!

The front or back?:party-smiley-004:

the front looks hideous Tom. :D

Well it is time to bring this thread back to the top because there are once again some very interesting rumors flying around.

I have a prediction:

Baja will return to Ohio.

Will it be a DS company ?

that would be nice. But will it be with current ownership????

Oh do tell on the rumors!

yes please do.

I can only hope.

"Will it be a DS company ?"...........I doubt it.

it all fits if its checkmate:rolleyes:

You yanking our chain?

I'll just bet that Checkmate will take care of the brand better than Reggie. Checkmate is probably in much better financial shape as well.

Although...... Maybe some very enterprising Baja people will own some of it.

Faction back in the game? :D

Faction works for Reggie! :party-smiley-004:

I thought David Olsen (former Baja President) was supose to own Faction ?????

No, there were no real owners since Faction was fiction, and I heard that Dave Olson landed a real good position at Mercury Marine? I was talking about someone else. :rolleyes:

:party-smiley-004: Is Baja back yet.