Diving in with data

There’s nothing like a quarterly earnings call to pique a trade press editor’s morning interest.

It’s my view a conference call filled with data and industry insights from one or more company leaders rivals the jump-start a really good cup of coffee provides, especially if the call in question is one of the first items of the day.

Perhaps a recent Forbes Quote of the Day from American engineer, statistician, professor, author, lecturer, and management consultant Edwards Deming summarizes my blogging thoughts best: “In God we trust. All others must bring data.” 

As the newest member of the Boating Industry editorial team, I’d like to take a few moments to introduce myself before offering some initial impressions from Brunswick Corporation’s release of the company’s second quarter 2017 earnings.

Tracking trends and issues for marine professionals online and in print signals the start of a new career for a now-former 20-year newspaper industry reporter and editor. 

In a most pleasant way, immediately participating Brunswick’s call my first week in a new communications position brought back memories of working as a journalist in New York Mills, Minn., home of Brunswick’s Lund boat manufacturing segment. 

That position launched a career that recently ended in Monticello, Minn., a town tied to the energy industry, my previous area of magazine and trade press expertise.

Brunswick Corporation’s second quarter of 12 percent growth in boat sales and 6 percent growth in engine sales was welcome news regarding the U.S. marketplace, as the 15 brands in the company’s boat segment drove net sales of $412.1 million in the second quarter.

With the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference over the horizon, the company’s news regarding international sales (an 11 percent increase compared to the prior year period) should provide plenty of trade show talking points.

Strong growth rates the company’s primary boat categories and outboard engine business were additional quarterly earnings call highlights.

However,  Brunswick’s positive news was offset by a reduction in force and employee furlough at the company’s Palm Coast boat production facility in Florida. 

For an industry newcomer, that development provided an important business reporting reminder regarding production level alignment.

With this quick welcome aside, I’m excited about making industry economics come to life while tracing the past, depicting the present and providing industry intelligence and market data to Boating Industry’s loyal readers.

The voyage ahead promises to be exciting to say the least.

I also look forward to meeting many of you in September in Tampa at IBEX and later this year in Orlando at the 2017 Marine Dealer Conference & Expo.

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