Posted on 05/27/2020 7:10:17 PM PDT by Augie
Valcourt, Quebec, BRP (TSX: DOO; NASDAQ: DOOO) announced today it has re-oriented its marine business by focusing on the growth of its boat brands with new technology and innovative marine products. The company will discontinue production of Evinrude E-TEC and E-TEC G2 outboard engines. Its Sturtevant, Wisconsin facility will be repurposed for new projects to pursue BRP’s plan to provide consumers with an unparalleled experience on the water.
BRP says it remains committed to their Buy, Build, Transform Marine strategy which has been underway since 2018 with the acquisition of Alumacraft and Manitou boat companies in the U.S., followed by the acquisition of Australian boat manufacturer Telwater in 2019.
“Our outboard engines business has been greatly impacted by COVID-19, obliging us to discontinue production of our outboard motors immediately. This business segment had already been facing some challenges and the impact from the current context has forced our hand,” said José Boisjoli, President and CEO of BRP. “We will concentrate our efforts on new and innovative technologies and on the development of our boat companies, where we continue to see a lot of potential to transform the on-water experience for consumers,” he added. Following BRP’s decision to discontinue E-TEC and E-TEC G2 outboard engines, the company has signed an agreement with market leader Mercury Marine to support boat packages and continue to supply outboard engines to their boat brands. BRP says they will continue to supply customers and dealer network service parts and will honor manufacturer limited warranties, plus offer select programs to manage inventory. These decisions will impact 650 employees globally.
With this announcement, BRP plans to position itself to expand its presence in the pontoon and aluminum fishing markets through technologically advanced solutions. They will leverage their R&D resources to enhance the boating experience with unique new marine products, such as the next generation of engine technology with Project Ghost and the next generation of pontoons with Project M, code names for new products we expect to transform the industry.
BRP will also consolidate Alumacraft operations from two sites to one. All Alumacraft operations will be transferred to St Peter, Minnesota and the Arkadelphia, Arkansas will be permanently closed. In addition, they will upgrade the boat production facilities to reorganize manufacturing sites and apply the modularity model used elsewhere in BRP’s ecosystem.
FTR reached out to BRP regarding the future of Evinrude and received the following replies regarding the iconic brand’s future.
Q: Will you keep the doors open to produce Evinrude engines again someday?
BRP: “We are re-orienting our marine strategy and concentrating our efforts on next generation engine technology, publicly known as Project Ghost, our boat business and other marine projects where we see a lot of potential to transform the on-water experience for consumers. We have no plan to bring back the production of outboard engines E-TEC and E-TEC G2.”
Q: Will you sell the brand or the technology of your Evinrude engines?
BRP: “Evinrude has a long history and we will maintain the trademark. At this point, we have no intention of selling the brand or the technology of Evinrude.”
““We are synergistically thinking outside the box as we develop scalable and sustainable solutions that leverage our core competencies to build a workforce that gives 110% to transforming the on-water experience.”
you’re a fool for giving a sentence like that away; you probably could have gotten paid at least a $100,000 for developing that sentence for the right company ...
3 x 250? What for?
LOL...how do you think I retired at age 41 with $100 million in the bank?
“We are synergistically thinking outside the box as we develop scalable and sustainable solutions that leverage our core competencies to build a workforce that gives 110% to transforming the on-water experience.”
Translated...
We’re trying to figure out a way to build a boat motor even though we haven’t got a clue about how.
I lived on the Detroit River for many years, with many ducklings rescued from raccoon raids or other causes, joining the household. Didn’t name any “Johnson” but an old friend and I used to have Johnson-Evinrude wars. Yeah..same difference...
A statement worthy of Dilbert’s PHB.
Evinrude/Johnson motors are used world wide more than any other brand.I don’t care if it is a 70 year old 1950’s model, parts are still inventoried and can be found, not true of other brands.
I remember going out on the water with my Dad’s green and gold Scott Atwater. Then later his black and white West Bend. Both extinct. The 18 HP Johnson I mentioned was his and it powered his pontoon for many many years.
The Johnson was by far the most reliable.
Growing up in the 1960s we were Johnson and Evinrude people. The only ones using Mercs were those little hydroplanes and speed demons.
Still have my 1974 15 horse Evinrude outboard. I love the low profile the thing has, easy to look over the top of it.
agreed... NO Mercs for us either, they NEVER could idle without dying... Johnson 70hp just purred at idle for hours without a stutter. Mercs for speed, Johnson’s for dependability.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.