Brunswick expands Latin America distribution network

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Brunswick Latin America Group (BLAG), a unit of Brunswick Corporation, announced today that has partnered with a new dealer in its effort to expand its distribution network in the region.

PowerBoats, a new name on the Mexican boating scene, opened its initial dealership in Monterrey yesterday. It is the first of several dealerships and marinas PowerBoats plans to open throughout northern Mexico in the next few years, the company says. The dealership will carry several Brunswick boat brands, including Bayliner, Maxum, Triton and Trophy as well as Mercury Marine engines. The new 17,500-square-foot facility will also offer a full service center along with retail financing.

The PowerBoats organization already operates a marina at Puerto Penasco and has plans to develop marinas in San Carlos and Altata. It also is developing dealerships in Guadalajara, Culiacan and San Carlos.

“We are honored to partner with PowerBoats and are particularly excited that its strategy of offering a full solution to boaters in the area, including dealerships, marinas, financing and service, mirrors our approach to developing the potential of Mexico’s marine market,” explained William J. Gress, president of the Brunswick Latin America Group. “We share their vision of the future and stand ready to help make that vision a reality.”

Brunswick, as part of its efforts to increase its global presence, has tapped local management talent and established offices and operations in various regions of the world, Gress explained. Latin America is one of those strategic regions, with great potential, the company believes.

The company believes that the potential lies in the numerous lakes and nearly 6,300 miles of coastline along in addition to a growing middle class demanding more recreational products and services.

“The key challenge is to create a recreational culture in the region, in particular a nautical culture, by the development of world-class dealers and strategic partnerships,” Gress said. “The grand opening of PowerBoats launches the strategy in the region.”

Based in Monterrey, Brunswick Latin America Group says it has some key initiatives in the region, including:

• Efficient distribution of Brunswick products in the region, with an intelligent approach by building long-term relationships with strategic partners
• Quality service of Brunswick products, in particular, boats and engines in the region
• Facilitating access to water by supporting marinas and other projects to develop a world-class marine infrastructure.

“As our strategic partner, PowerBoats will provide a full solution to boating enthusiasts in the north of Mexico,” Gress said, “and will play a critical role to helping achieve our objectives in Latin America.”

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