Baja Will Close
 

Another American company GONE !!!
Brunswick sells Baja Marine; Ohio factory will close
Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:26pm EDT
CHICAGO, March 20 (Reuters) - Brunswick Corp (BC.N: Quote, Profile, Research), the world's largest maker of recreational boats, said on Thursday that it had sold its Baja high-performance boat business to Fountain Powerboat Industries Inc.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Brunswick said that as part of the deal, it was ending production of Baja boats at its Bucyrus, Ohio, plant and eliminating about 285 jobs.


A

sold that is one thing... closing the plant? Can't believe this. They probably would move the shop, not close it...

I'm surprised...

With Sea Ray making boats in China who knows what's next for Baja. It's sad more jobs lost in the midwest.

Brunswick Announces Sale of Baja Marine Assets to Fountain Powerboats


Last update: 3:04 p.m. EDT March 20, 2008Print E-mail RSS Disable Live Quotes

LAKE FOREST, Ill., March 20, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Brunswick Corporation (BC:BC
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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
http://www.brunswick.com

Not really, it is just moving..

The plant is closing and moving operations to NC. No mention of transferring of jobs.
Sad news for the industry.

I think this could be a great growth opportunity for Checkmate. The original owner of Baja now owns Checkmate. Checkmate could make use of the Baja plant and increase production and keep jobs intact for people who don't wish to transfer to Fountain...mmm....

I thought the same thing, but I don't seee Doug doing it.
At least not untill sales climb, & justifies the expense of taking over the plant.

The article I posted does state that people will be offered severance or relo opps. in the relocated facilities.

..