Baja Sold to Fountain Powerboats!

[Chris]

There have been rumours floating around that something was up, and apparantly where there is smoke, there's fire!

Brunswick have sold Baja to Fountain Powerboats.

Here are some links to some news articles.

If you find some more post 'em up.

[Chris]

Here's the official Brunswick Press release.

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,
daniel.kubera@brunswick.com

Web site: http://www.brunswick.com

[Chris]

CNN Money News Article

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/newstex/AFX-0013-23930006.htm

Reuters News Article

http://www.reuters.com/article/mergersNews/idUSWNAS564520080320

[Cooperider]

Kind of blows your mind don't it.


End of an era. Sucks for Bucyrus.

[Chris]

Coop,

I read somewhere that there is another company that wants the factory.

I think they are looking at building fibreglass propellers or something.

So perhaps they'll be able to employ some people. :)

[haftoo55]

I think it is ether wind mill or turbo blades. something like that they make blades for wind mills.

[Chris E]

little early for an april fools joke isn't it?

[haftoo55]

There is an artical in the Bucyrus Telegraph Forum that says Reggie Fountain hasen't ruled out the possibilty of building boats at the Baja Plant

[Chris]

There is an artical in the Bucyrus Telegraph Forum that says Reggie Fountain hasen't ruled out the possibilty of building boats at the Baja PlantHere's a link to the article.

Hopefully, it happens. :)

That's the second time I've read that Baja opened in 1956. :rolleyes:

http://www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080322/NEWS01/803220304

[Chris]

Boating Industry have an article up now as well.

Here's the linky...

http://www.boating-industry.com/output.cfm?id=1536589

[Cooperider]

There is an artical in the Bucyrus Telegraph Forum that says Reggie Fountain hasen't ruled out the possibilty of building boats at the Baja Plant

Here is that article.

http://bucyrustelegraphforum.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080322/NEWS01/803220304


Read the comments, some are really good, especially the sidewalk one.

[Chris]

What...didn't like my link? :D

[haftoo55]

Very interesting comments, have to see what happens

[Chris]

Another new article I found...

Baja by Fountain seems to be the name.

http://www.boattest.com/Resources/view_news.aspx?NewsID=816

[Cooperider]

What...didn't like my link? :DDidn't see it, sorry. :shakehead:

[Chris]

Rather interesting! :sssh:

http://www.teambajamarine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14203

[Cooperider]

Hmmm......that gets me wondering.

[Chris]

Well they can come over here and tell us their story if Blake won't let them do it on Team Baja. :thumb:

[haftoo55]

News to Shirley as well.

[Cooperider]

This thing looks cool.

:bounce:

http://newimages.yachtworld.com/1/4/9/4/6/1494647_1.jpg?1161068400000

[Chris]

Lots of cabin room. :D

[Chris]

Coop,

I found this, is this it?

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1494647/0

The listing says it's a Douglas Skater.

So maybe what's up is Skater are going to build V-Bottoms under the Faction name? :confused:

[Cooperider]

I don't think there are going to be any scoops on this until after the plant closes.

[TEAMBAJA]

I don't think there are going to be any scoops on this until after the plant closes.

This is correct. They probably should have waited to annouce this until after May 23rd. The molds were looking pretty good though!

[Chris]

I wonder how many models they will build.

I would think one, would just be the start of things to come.

[Blizz]

The boat in that article looks nothing like the Skater 399 diff hull and diff deck plus the Skater has staggered motors not side by side. I guess it's the old unused hull.

[TEAMBAJA]

The boat in that article looks nothing like the Skater 399 diff hull and diff deck plus the Skater has staggered motors not side by side. I guess it's the old unused hull.

Thats it. That exact picture is in the "top secret" files at work.

[haftoo55]

Was told today that this deal fell into a big hole. Don't know for sure but thats what I was told. Alan

[Chris]

Well that sucks if true.

It would have been nice to see a few of the ex-employees get some employment.

The boating industry is in real tough shape right now. :(

[haftoo55]

There is suppost to be a article in saturdays www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com (http://www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com) about Baja start to finish. I figured some people might want to read it. Alan

[haftoo55]

There is suppost to be a article in saturdays www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com (http://www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com) about Baja start to finish. I figured some people might want to read it. Alan

[TEAMBAJA]

Was told today that this deal fell into a big hole. Don't know for sure but thats what I was told. Alan

Your right. One of the guys involved took a position elsewhere. Id sure like to see someone local make it happen. Id love to be involved.

[Chris]

Here's a direct link to one article.

There are some sad stories in it. All companies are really only as good as their people. Hopefully in time everyone will find their way to better times.

http://www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080524/NEWS01/805240303&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

[haftoo55]

I know Pam Copper she is a good friend. Her, her first husband a few other friends and I were the first ones to be at the Mad Bull Lounge fire. We saw smoke coming from the front door The police were their be for we knew it and then the fire department. The building was destroyed.The Mad Bull was owned by Bill Combs. She had just started at Baja

[Chris]

The story about the one fella who is not too well, was a sad story.

Sometimes things in life just take a while to work out for the better.

When you're right in the middle of going through it all though, it seems like you'll never make it through.

[haftoo55]

YES IT IS A SAD STORY. I know him and his brothers. His one brother used to work at Checkmate years ago. I'm sorry to say he was killed in a car crash. His other brother lives close to my Dad. Bucyrus is like one big happy family. Everybody knows everyone

[Chris]

My neighbor at the cottage is from Bucyrus. :thumb:

[haftoo55]

I am a Member of the Moose Lodge 669 here in Bucyrus have been for 28 years. There used to be a group of about 10 to fifteen members that would take a fishing trip up to Canada every summer. They would take their trucks so far then a train then boat the rest of the way to the cabins they used to stay in. They used too tell some good fish stories when they got back. Used to bring back some big fish also. Alan

[Chris]

Any idea where they went Alan?

My Dad used to be a real avid fisherman and he used to go to all kinds of crazy places where you could only fly in via a float plane.

Some of the size of fish he caught were just insane. And he threw the majority of them back before it was cool too.

[haftoo55]

I don't know but iI can find out.Alan

[haftoo55]

Chris my Dad told me that they used to go to the shoots what ever that is. If that tells you where its at. He did say that they drove took a train and took small boats to there cabins. Who is it that lives beside you. Just wondering if I new them. Alan

[Chris]

Well my neighbours are more or less a family, so some are married and have different last names. Some have moved away to different towns as well.

But the senior member of the family and the member who purchased the cottage has a last name of Ackerman. :)

[haftoo55]

Their is a Glen Acherman (in 70s) that used to be mayor of Bucyrus a few years ago. Their is also Jim (54) & Nancy (54) they are members of the Moose Lodge. Thats all of the Achermans that I know in Bucyrus. Alan

[Chris]

Our neighbour goes by the name of Bud.

But I think that might be a nickname.

The Ackerman's have been cottaging on our lake since the late 60's.

My Grandparents actually started cottaging on the lake in the very early 50's.