form10_k.htm


  
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_______________

Form 10-K

[X]    ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
or
[   ]     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number 1-1043
_______________

Brunswick Logo 
Brunswick Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
36-0848180
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
1 N. Field Court, Lake Forest, Illinois
60045-4811
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
(847) 735-4700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
                    Title of each class                                         
 
 
           Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock ($0.75 par value)
 
New York and Chicago
 
 
Stock Exchanges

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None
______________

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes [  ] No [X]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes [  ] No [X]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes [X]     No [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes [   ] No [   ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in the definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer [   ] Accelerated filer [X] Non-accelerated filer [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [   ] No [X]

As of June 30, 2009, the aggregate market value of the voting stock of the registrant held by non-affiliates was $377,727,905. Such number excludes stock beneficially owned by officers and directors. This does not constitute an admission that they are affiliates.
 
The number of shares of Common Stock ($0.75 par value) of the registrant outstanding as of February 19, 2010 was 88,444,430.

 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Part III of this Report on Form 10-K incorporates by reference certain information that will be set forth in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled to be held on May 5, 2010.
 


  
 

BRUNSWICK CORPORATION
INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
December 31, 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
Page
PART I
 
   
Item 1.
Business
1
     
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
9
     
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
16
     
Item 2.
Properties
16
     
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
17
     
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
18
     
PART II
 
   
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder
   Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
20
     
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
22
     
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
   and Results of Operations
24
     
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
50
     
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
50
     
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
   and Financial Disclosure
50
     
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
51
     
PART III
 
   
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
52
     
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
52
     
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
   Management and Related Stockholder Matters
52
     
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director
   Independence
52
     
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
52
     
PART IV
 
   
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
52


 
 

PART I

Item 1. Business

Brunswick Corporation (Brunswick or the Company) is a Delaware corporation, incorporated on December 31, 1907. Brunswick is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of recreation products including marine engines, boats, fitness equipment and bowling and billiards equipment. Brunswick’s engine products include outboard, sterndrive and inboard engines; trolling motors; propellers; engine control systems; and marine parts and accessories. The Company’s boat offerings include fiberglass pleasure boats; luxury sportfishing convertibles and motoryachts; offshore fishing boats; aluminum fishing boats; and pontoon and deck boats. Brunswick’s fitness products include both cardiovascular and strength training equipment. Brunswick’s bowling offerings include products such as capital equipment, after-market and consumer products; and billiards offerings such as billiards and gaming tables and accessories. The Company also owns and operates Brunswick bowling family entertainment centers in the United States and other countries.

In 2009, Brunswick’s primary focus was on liquidity. In 2010, Brunswick intends to focus on generating positive cash flow, performing better than the market in each of its business segments, and, as its revenue grows, taking advantage of its considerable leverage. In the longer term, Brunswick’s strategy is to introduce the highest quality products with the most innovative technology and styling at a rate faster than its competitors; to distribute products through a model that benefits its partners – dealers and distributors – and provides world-class service to its customers; to develop and maintain low-cost manufacturing processes and to continually improve productivity and efficiency; to manufacture and distribute products globally with local and regional styling; and to attract and retain skilled and knowledgeable people. These factors promote the Company’s ability to grow from expansion of its existing businesses. The Company’s objective is to enhance shareholder value by achieving returns on investments that exceed its cost of capital.

During the first quarter of 2009, the Company realigned the management of its marine service, parts and accessories businesses. The Boat segment’s parts and accessories businesses of Attwood, Land ‘N’ Sea, Benrock, Kellogg Marine and Diversified Marine Products are now being managed by the Marine Engine segment’s service and parts business leaders. As a result, the marine service, parts and accessories operating results previously reported in the Boat segment are now being reported in the Marine Engine segment. Segment results have been restated for all periods presented to reflect the change in Brunswick’s reported segments. Refer to Note 5 – Segment Information and Note 20 – Discontinued Operations in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Company’s segments and discontinued operations, including net sales, operating earnings and total assets by segment for 2009, 2008 and 2007.

Marine Engine Segment

The Marine Engine segment, which had net sales of $1,425.0 million in 2009, consists of the Mercury Marine Group (Mercury Marine). The Company believes its Marine Engine segment has the largest dollar sales volume of recreational marine engines in the world.

Mercury Marine manufactures and markets a full range of sterndrive propulsion systems, inboard engines and outboard engines under the Mercury, Mercury MerCruiser, Mariner, Mercury Racing, Mercury SportJet and Mercury Jet Drive, MotorGuide, Axius, Zeus and MerCruiser 360 brand names. In addition, Mercury Marine manufactures and markets marine parts and accessories under the Quicksilver, Mercury Precision Parts, Mercury Propellers, Attwood, Land ‘N’ Sea, Benrock, Kellogg Marine, Diversified Marine Products, Sea Choice and MotorGuide brand names, including marine electronics and control integration systems, steering systems, instruments, controls, propellers, trolling motors, service aids and marine lubricants. Mercury Marine’s sterndrive engines, inboard engines and outboard engines are sold to independent boat builders, local, state and foreign governments, and to the Company’s Boat segment. In addition, Mercury Marine’s outboard engines are sold to end-users through a global network of more than 4,000 marine dealers and distributors worldwide, specialty marine retailers and marine service centers. Mercury Marine, through Cummins MerCruiser Diesel Marine LLC (CMD), a joint venture between Brunswick’s Mercury Marine division and Cummins Marine, a division of Cummins Inc., supplies integrated diesel propulsion systems to the worldwide recreational and commercial marine markets, including the Company’s Boat segment.

Mercury Marine manufactures two-stroke OptiMax outboard engines ranging from 75 to 300 horsepower, all of which feature Mercury’s direct fuel injection (DFI) technology, and four-stroke outboard engine models ranging from 2.5 to 350 horsepower. All of these low-emission engines are believed to be in compliance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements for 2010. Mercury Marine’s four-stroke outboard engines include Verado, a collection of supercharged outboards ranging from 135 to 350 horsepower, and Mercury Marine’s naturally aspirated four-stroke outboards, ranging from 2.5 to 115 horsepower. In addition, most of Mercury’s sterndrive and inboard engines are now available with catalytic converters, and are compliant with environmental regulations adopted by the State of California, effective January 1, 2008, and by the EPA, effective January 1, 2010.
 
 
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To promote advanced propulsion systems with improved and easier handling, performance and efficiency, Mercury Marine, both directly and through its joint venture, CMD, manufactures and markets advanced boat and engine steering and control systems under the brand names of Zeus, Axius and MerCruiser 360.

Mercury Marine’s sterndrive and outboard engines are produced domestically in Oklahoma and Wisconsin, respectively. During the third quarter of 2009, the Company announced plans to consolidate engine production by transferring sterndrive engine manufacturing operations from its Stillwater, Oklahoma plant to its Fond du Lac, Wisconsin plant. This plant consolidation effort is expected to occur throughout 2010 and 2011. Mercury Marine manufactures 40, 50 and 60 horsepower four-stroke outboard engines in a facility in China, and, in a joint venture with its partner, Tohatsu Corporation, produces smaller outboard engines in Japan. Mercury Marine sources some engine components from Asian suppliers and manufactures engine component parts at plants in Florida and Mexico. CMD manufactures diesel marine propulsion systems in South Carolina. Mercury Marine also operates a remanufacturing business for engines and service parts in Wisconsin.

In addition to its marine engine operations, Mercury Marine serves markets outside of the United States with a wide range of aluminum, fiberglass and inflatable boats produced either by, or for, Mercury Marine in China, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, and Vietnam. These boats, which are marketed under the brand names Arvor, Guernsey, Legend, Mercury,  Protector, Quicksilver, Uttern and Valiant, are typically equipped with engines manufactured by Mercury Marine and often include other parts and accessories supplied by Mercury Marine. Mercury Marine also has an equity ownership interest in a company that manufactures boats under the brand names Aquador, Bella and Flipper in Finland.

Mercury Marine’s parts and accessories businesses include: Attwood, Land ‘N’ Sea, Benrock, Kellogg Marine and Diversified Marine Products. These businesses are the leading distributors of marine parts and accessories throughout North America, offering same-day or next-day service to a broad array of marine service facilities.

Inter-company sales to the Company’s Boat segment represented approximately 7 percent of Mercury Marine sales in 2009. Domestic demand for the Marine Engine segment’s products is seasonal, with sales generally highest in the second calendar quarter of the year.

Boat Segment

The Boat segment consists of the Brunswick Boat Group (Boat Group), which manufactures and markets fiberglass pleasure boats, luxury sportfishing convertibles and motoryachts, offshore and aluminum fishing boats, and pontoon and deck boats. The Company believes that its Boat Group, which had net sales of $615.7 million during 2009, has the largest dollar sales and unit volume of pleasure boats in the world.

The Boat Group manages most of Brunswick’s boat brands; evaluates and enhances the Company’s boat portfolio; promotes recreational boating services and activities to enhance the consumer experience and dealer profitability; and speeds the introduction of new technologies into boat manufacturing processes.

The Boat Group is comprised of the following boat brands: Cabo sportfishing express boats and convertibles; Hatteras luxury sportfishing convertibles and motoryachts; Sea Ray yachts, sport yachts, sport cruisers and runabouts; Bayliner sport cruisers and runabouts; Meridian motoryachts; Sealine yachts and sport cruisers; Boston Whaler, Lund, Triton and Trophy fiberglass fishing boats; and Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris, Lowe, Lund, Princecraft and Triton aluminum fishing, utility, pontoon and deck boats. The Boat Group also includes a commercial and governmental sales unit that sells products to commercial customers, as well as the United States government and state, local and foreign governments. The Boat Group procures most of its outboard engines, gasoline sterndrive engines and gasoline inboard engines from Brunswick’s Marine Engine segment. The Boat Group also purchases a portion of its diesel engines from CMD.

The Boat Group has active manufacturing facilities in California, Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Canada, China, Mexico, Portugal and the United Kingdom, as well as additional inactive manufacturing facilities in Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington. The Boat Group also utilizes contract manufacturing facilities in Poland and has an agreement with a local boat builder to manufacture boats in Argentina. During 2009 the Boat Group continued its 2008 restructuring activities by reducing its workforce, consolidating manufacturing operations and disposing of non-strategic assets.  In the first quarter of 2009, the Company announced and completed the shutdown of its Riverview plant in Knoxville, Tennessee, and completed the closure of its Pipestone, Minnesota facility.  Further, in the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company reached a decision to sell its properties in Cape Canaveral, Florida and Navassa, North Carolina. The Navassa, North Carolina property was mothballed during 2008. Brunswick also sold all of the capital stock of the Albemarle Boats business on December 31, 2008. In 2008, Brunswick announced the closure of certain boat manufacturing plants in Merritt Island, Florida; Cumberland, Maryland; Bucyrus, Ohio; Swansboro, North Carolina; Roseburg, Oregon; and Arlington, Washington.
 
The Boat Group’s products are sold to end-users through a global network of approximately 1,750 dealers and distributors, each of which carries one or more of Brunswick’s boat brands. Sales to the Boat Group’s largest dealer, MarineMax Inc., which has multiple locations and carries a number of the Boat Group’s product lines, represented approximately 16 percent of Boat Group sales in 2009. Domestic demand for pleasure boats is seasonal, with sales generally highest in the second calendar quarter of the year.
 
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Fitness Segment

Brunswick’s Fitness segment is comprised of its Life Fitness division (Life Fitness), which designs, manufactures and markets a full line of reliable, high-quality cardiovascular fitness equipment (including treadmills, total body cross-trainers, stair climbers and stationary exercise bicycles) and strength-training equipment under the Life Fitness and Hammer Strength brands.

The Company believes that its Fitness segment, which had net sales of $496.8 million during 2009, is the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial fitness equipment and a leading manufacturer of high-end consumer fitness equipment. Life Fitness’ commercial sales are primarily made to health clubs, fitness facilities operated by professional sports teams, the military, governmental agencies, corporations, hotels, schools and universities. Commercial sales are made to customers either directly, through domestic dealers, or through international distributors. Consumer products are sold through specialty retailers and on Life Fitness’ Web site.

The Fitness segment’s principal manufacturing facilities are located in Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota and Hungary. Life Fitness distributes its products worldwide from regional warehouses and production facilities. Demand for Life Fitness products is seasonal, with sales generally highest in the first and fourth calendar quarters of the year.

Bowling & Billiards Segment

The Bowling & Billiards segment is comprised of the Brunswick Bowling & Billiards division (BB&B), which had net sales of $337.0 million during 2009. The Company believes BB&B is the leading full-line designer, manufacturer and marketer of bowling products. BB&B also designs and markets a full line of high-quality consumer billiard tables, Air Hockey table games, foosball tables and related accessories. In addition, BB&B operates 100 bowling centers in the United States, Canada and Europe.

BB&B’s bowling products business designs, manufactures and markets a wide variety of bowling products, including capital equipment, which includes automatic pinsetters, bowling balls and after-market products. Through licensing and manufacturing arrangements, BB&B also offers bowling pins and a wide array of bowling consumer products, including bowling shoes, bags and accessories.

BB&B retail bowling centers offer bowling and, depending on size and location, may also offer the following activities and facilities: billiards, video games, redemption and other games of skill, laser tag, pro shops, meeting and party rooms, snack bars, restaurants and cocktail lounges. Of the 100 bowling centers, 44 have been converted into Brunswick Zones, which are modernized bowling centers that offer an array of family-oriented entertainment activities. BB&B has further enhanced the Brunswick Zone concept with expanded Brunswick Zone family entertainment centers, branded Brunswick Zone XL, which are larger than typical Brunswick Zones and feature multiple-venue entertainment offerings. BB&B operates 11 Brunswick Zone XL centers. In 2008, BB&B exited a joint venture that operated 14 additional centers in Japan, and in which BB&B had been a partner since 1960.

BB&B’s billiards business was established in 1845 and is Brunswick’s oldest enterprise. BB&B designs and/or markets billiard tables, Air Hockey table games, foosball tables, balls and cues, as well as game room furniture and related accessories, under the Brunswick and Contender brands. The Company believes it has the largest dollar sales volume of slate U.S. style pocket billiards tables in the world. These products are sold worldwide in both commercial and consumer billiards markets. BB&B also operated Valley-Dynamo, a leading manufacturer of commercial and consumer billiards tables, Air Hockey table games and foosball tables. The Valley-Dynamo business was sold in the second quarter of 2009, although the Company retained the intellectual property rights to the Air Hockey trademark.

BB&B’s primary manufacturing and distribution facilities are located in Hungary, Mexico, Michigan and Wisconsin.
 
Brunswick’s bowling and billiards products are sold through a variety of channels, including distributors, dealers, mass merchandisers, bowling centers and retailers, and directly to consumers on the Internet and through other outlets. BB&B’s sales are seasonal with sales generally highest in the first and fourth calendar quarters of the year.
 
 
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Discontinued Operations

On April 27, 2006, the Company announced its intention to sell the majority of its Brunswick New Technologies (BNT) business unit, which consisted of the Company’s marine electronics, portable navigation devices (PND) and wireless fleet tracking business. As a result, Brunswick reclassified the operations of BNT to discontinued operations and shifted reporting for the retained businesses from the Marine Engine segment to the Boat, Marine Engine and Fitness segments.

In March 2007, Brunswick completed the sales of BNT’s marine electronics and PND businesses to Navico International Ltd. and MiTAC International Corporation, respectively, for net proceeds of $40.6 million. A $4.0 million after-tax gain was recognized with the divestiture of these businesses in 2007.

In July 2007, the Company completed the sale of BNT’s wireless fleet tracking business to Navman Wireless Holdings L.P. for net proceeds of $28.8 million, resulting in an after-tax gain of $25.8 million.

The Company completed the divestiture of the BNT discontinued operations during 2007. The Company recognized a net asset impairment of $85.6 million, after-tax, in the fourth quarter of 2006, prior to the disposition of the BNT businesses, and recorded 2007 gains of $29.8 million, after-tax, on the BNT business sales. As a result, the financial impact to the Company of the BNT dispositions was a net loss of $55.8 million, after-tax.

Financial Services

A Company subsidiary, Brunswick Financial Services Corporation (BFS), has a 49 percent ownership interest in a joint venture, Brunswick Acceptance Company, LLC (BAC). CDF Ventures, LLC (CDFV), a subsidiary of GE Capital Corporation, owns the remaining 51 percent of the joint venture. Under the terms of the joint venture agreement, BAC provides secured wholesale floorplan financing to the Company’s engine and boat dealers. BAC also purchased and serviced a portion of Mercury Marine’s domestic accounts receivable relating to its boat builder and dealer customers, but this program was terminated in May 2009.  The Company replaced this program with the Mercury Receivables ABL Facility, which is discussed in Note 14 – Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The term of the BAC joint venture extends through June 30, 2014. The joint venture agreement contains provisions allowing for the renewal or purchase at the end of this term. Alternatively, either partner may terminate the agreement at the end of its term.

Refer to Note 9 – Financial Services in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about the Company’s financial services.

Distribution

Brunswick depends on distributors, dealers and retailers (Dealers) for the majority of its boat sales and significant portions of its sales of marine engine, fitness and bowling and billiards products. Brunswick has over 15,000 Dealers serving its business segments worldwide. Brunswick’s marine Dealers typically carry boats, engines and related parts and accessories.

Brunswick owns Attwood, Land ‘N’ Sea, Benrock, Kellogg Marine and Diversified Marine Products, which are the primary parts and accessories distribution platforms for the Company’s Marine Engine segment. These businesses are the leading distributors of marine parts and accessories throughout North America, with 14 distribution warehouses located throughout the United States and Canada offering same-day or next-day service to a broad array of marine service facilities.

Brunswick’s Dealers are independent companies or proprietors that range in size from small, family-owned businesses to a large, publicly-traded corporation with substantial revenues and multiple locations. Some Dealers sell Brunswick’s products exclusively, while others also carry competitors’ products. Brunswick works with its boat dealer network to improve quality, distribution and delivery of parts and accessories to enhance the boating customer’s experience.

Demand for a significant portion of Brunswick’s products is seasonal, and a number of Brunswick’s Dealers are relatively small or highly-leveraged. As a result, many Dealers require financial assistance to support their businesses, allowing them to provide stable channels for Brunswick’s products. In addition to the financing offered by BAC, the Company provides its Dealers with assistance, including incentive programs, loans, loan guarantees and inventory repurchase commitments, under which the Company is obligated to repurchase inventory from a finance company in the event of a Dealer's default.  The Company believes that these arrangements are in its best interest; however, the financial support that the Company provides to its Dealers does expose the Company to credit and business risk. Brunswick’s business units, along with BAC, maintain active credit operations to manage this financial exposure, and the Company continually seeks opportunities to sustain and improve the financial health of its various distribution channel partners. Refer to Note 11 – Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of these arrangements.
 
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International Operations

Brunswick’s sales from continuing operations to customers in markets other than the United States were $1,168.7 million (42 percent of net sales), $2,058.5 million (44 percent of net sales) and $2,016.4 million (36 percent of net sales) in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company transacts most of its sales in non-U.S. markets in local currencies, and the cost of its products is generally denominated in U.S. dollars. Strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar affects the financial results of Brunswick’s non-U.S. operations.

Non-U.S. sales from continuing operations are set forth in Note 5 – Segment Information in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and are also included in the table below, which details Brunswick’s non-U.S. sales by region:

(in millions)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                   
Europe
  $ 518.1     $ 1,024.1     $ 1,038.9  
Pacific Rim
    235.8       318.1       338.2  
Canada
    178.1       346.7       344.6  
Latin America
    157.9       247.8       196.6  
Africa & Middle East
    78.8       121.8       98.1  
                         
    $ 1,168.7     $ 2,058.5     $ 2,016.4  

Marine Engine segment sales represented approximately 50 percent of Brunswick’s non-U.S. sales in 2009. The segment’s primary non-U.S. operations include the following:

 
Sales offices and distribution centers in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand and Singapore;
 
Sales offices in Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland;
 
Boat manufacturing plants in China, New Zealand, Poland and Portugal; and
 
An outboard engine assembly plant in Suzhou, China.

Boat segment sales comprised approximately 23 percent of Brunswick’s non-U.S. sales in 2009. The Boat Group’s products are manufactured or assembled in the United States, Canada, China, Mexico, Poland, Portugal and the United Kingdom, and are sold worldwide through dealers. The Boat Group has sales offices in France, Mexico and the Netherlands.

Fitness segment sales comprised approximately 21 percent of Brunswick’s non-U.S. sales in 2009. Life Fitness sells its products worldwide and has sales and distribution centers in Brazil, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom, as well as sales offices in Hong Kong. The Fitness segment also manufactures strength-training equipment and select lines of cardiovascular equipment in Hungary for its international markets.

Bowling & Billiard segment sales comprised approximately 6 percent of Brunswick’s non-U.S. sales in 2009. BB&B sells its products worldwide, has sales offices in Germany, Hong Kong and Tokyo, and operates a plant that manufactures automatic pinsetters in Hungary. BB&B commenced bowling ball manufacturing in Reynosa, Mexico in 2006, and completed the transition of manufacturing operations from Muskegon, Michigan to Reynosa in 2007. BB&B operates retail bowling centers in Austria, Canada and Germany.

Raw Materials and Supplies

Brunswick purchases a wide variety of raw materials from its supplier base, including oil, aluminum, steel and resins, as well as product parts and components, such as engine blocks and boat windshields. The prices for these raw materials, parts and components fluctuate depending on market conditions. Significant increases in the cost of such materials would increase the Company’s production and operating costs. This could reduce the Company’s profitability if the Company cannot recoup the increased costs through increased product prices.
 
5
 
As a result of recent worldwide economic conditions and the reduced demand for raw materials, parts, supplies and goods, a number of Brunswick’s suppliers made the decision to slow or temporarily cease production in 2008 and 2009. Additionally, many of the Company’s suppliers have elected to reduce the size of their workforces. As Brunswick’s manufacturing operations continue to increase production in 2010, the Company’s need for raw materials and supplies will likewise increase. Brunswick’s suppliers must be prepared to resume operations and, in many cases, must recall or hire additional workers in order to fulfill the orders placed by Brunswick and other customers. During this transition period, the Company has experienced some delayed delivery of and shortages of certain materials, parts and supplies that are essential to its manufacturing operations. The Company will continue to address this issue by identifying alternative suppliers, working to secure adequate inventories of critical supplies and continually monitoring its supplier base.

Additionally, some components used in Brunswick’s manufacturing processes, including engine blocks and boat windshields, are available from a sole supplier or a limited number of suppliers. Financial difficulties or solvency problems that these or other suppliers currently face or may face in the future could adversely affect their ability to supply Brunswick with the parts and components it needs, which could significantly disrupt Brunswick’s operations.

The Company also continues to expand its global procurement operations to leverage its purchasing power across its divisions and to improve supply chain and cost efficiencies. The Company attempts to manage its commodity price risk by using derivatives to hedge a portion of its raw material purchases.
 
Intellectual Property

Brunswick has, and continues to obtain, patent rights covering certain features of its products and processes. By law, Brunswick’s patent rights, which consist of patents and patent licenses, have limited lives and expire periodically. The Company believes that its patent rights are important to its competitive position in all of its business segments.

In the Marine Engine segment, patent rights principally relate to features of outboard engines and inboard-outboard drives and pod drives, including: die-cast powerheads; cooling and exhaust systems; drivetrain, clutch and gearshift mechanisms; boat/engine mountings; shock-absorbing tilt mechanisms; ignition systems; propellers; marine vessel control systems; fuel and oil injection systems; supercharged engines; outboard mid-section structures; segmented cowls; hydraulic trim, tilt and steering; screw compressor charge air cooling systems; and airflow silencers.

In the Boat segment, patent rights principally relate to processes for manufacturing fiberglass hulls, decks and components for boat products, as well as patent rights related to interiors and other boat features and components.

In the Fitness segment, patent rights principally relate to fitness equipment designs and components, including patents covering internal processes, programming functions, displays, design features and styling.

In the Bowling & Billiards segment, patent rights principally relate to computerized bowling scorers and bowling center management systems, bowling center furniture, bowling lanes, lane conditioning machines and related equipment, bowling balls, and billiards table designs and components.

The following are Brunswick’s primary trademarks for its continuing operations:

Marine Engine Segment:  Attwood, Axius, Diversified Marine, Kellogg Marine, Land ‘N’ Sea, Mariner, MercNet, MerCruiser, Mercury, Mercury Marine, Mercury Parts Express, Mercury Precision Parts, Mercury Propellers, Mercury Racing, MotorGuide, OptiMax, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Seachoice, SeaPro, SmartCraft, SportJet, Swivl-Eze, Valiant, Verado and Zeus.

Boat Segment:  Bayliner, Boston Whaler, Cabo, Crestliner, Harris, Hatteras, Lowe, Lund, Master Dealer, Meridian, Princecraft, Sea Ray, Sealine, Total Command, Triton and Trophy.

Fitness Segment:  Flex Deck, Hammer Strength, Lifecycle, Life Fitness and ParaBody.

Bowling & Billiards Segment:  Air Hockey, Ballworx, Brunswick, Brunswick Billiards, Brunswick Home and Billiard, Brunswick Pavilion, Brunswick Zone, Brunswick Zone XL, Centennial, Contender, Cosmic Bowling, Frameworx, Gold Crown, Inferno, Lane Shield, Lightworx, Pro Lane, U.S. Play by Brunswick, Vector, Viz-A-Ball and Zone.

Brunswick’s trademark rights have indefinite lives, and many are well known to the public and are considered to be valuable assets.
 
6
 
Competitive Conditions and Position

The Company believes that it has a reputation for quality in its highly competitive lines of business. Brunswick competes in its various markets by: utilizing efficient production techniques; developing and promoting innovative technological advancements; undertaking effective marketing, advertising and sales efforts; providing high-quality products at competitive prices; and offering extensive after-market services.

Strong competition exists in each of Brunswick’s product groups, but no single enterprise competes with Brunswick in all product groups. In each product area, competitors range in size from large, highly-diversified companies to small, single-product businesses. Brunswick also competes with businesses that offer alternative leisure products or activities but do not compete directly with Brunswick’s products.

The following summarizes Brunswick’s competitive position in each segment:

Marine Engine Segment:  The Company believes it has the largest dollar sales volume of recreational marine engines in the world, along with a leading parts and accessories business. The marine engine market is highly competitive among several major international companies that comprise the majority of the market, as well as several smaller companies. Competitive advantage in this segment is a function of product features, technological leadership, quality, service, pricing, performance and durability, along with effective promotion and distribution.

Boat Segment:  The Company believes it has the largest dollar sales and unit volume of pleasure boats in the world. There are several major manufacturers of pleasure and offshore fishing boats, along with hundreds of smaller manufacturers. Consequently, this business is both highly competitive and highly fragmented. The Company believes it has the broadest range of boat product offerings in the world, with boats ranging in size from 10 to 105 feet. In all of its boat operations, Brunswick competes on the basis of product features, technology, quality, dealer service, pricing, performance, value, durability and styling, along with effective promotion and distribution.

Fitness Segment:  The Company believes it is the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial fitness equipment and a leading manufacturer of high-quality consumer fitness equipment. There are a few large manufacturers of fitness equipment and hundreds of small manufacturers, which creates a highly fragmented, competitive landscape. Many of Brunswick’s fitness equipment offerings feature industry-leading product innovations, and the Company places significant emphasis on introducing new fitness equipment to the market. Competitive focus is also placed on product quality, service, pricing, state-of-the-art biomechanics, and effective promotional activities.

Bowling & Billiards Segment:  The Company believes it is the world’s leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of bowling products and slate U.S. style pocket billiards tables. There are other large manufacturers of bowling products and competitive emphasis is placed on product innovation, quality, service, marketing activities and pricing. The billiards industry continues to experience competitive pressure from low-cost billiards manufacturers outside the United States. The bowling retail market, in which the Company’s bowling centers compete, is highly fragmented. Brunswick is one of the two largest competitors in the North American bowling retail market, with an emphasis on larger, upscale, full-service family entertainment centers. The bowling retail business emphasizes the bowling and entertainment experience, maintaining quality facilities and providing excellent customer service.

Research and Development

The Company strives to improve its competitive position in all of its segments by continuously investing in research and development to drive innovation in its products and manufacturing technologies. Brunswick’s research and development investments support the introduction of new products and enhancements to existing products. Research and development expenses as a percentage of net sales was 3.2 percent, 2.6 percent and 2.4 percent in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. In light of the prolonged downturn in recreational marine industry demand, the Company has undertaken significant efforts to reduce its fixed and variable expenses to adjust its cost structure to current market conditions. In implementing these cost reductions, the Company reduced selective research and development expenses for 2008 and 2009. The Company believes that the implementation of these actions would not materially limit its ability to successfully execute its long-term strategies, particularly as market conditions improve. Research and development expenses for continuing operations are shown below: 
 
7
 
(in millions)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                   
Marine Engine
  $ 50.1     $ 61.3     $ 70.0  
Boat
    19.6       38.6       37.9  
Fitness
    14.9       17.4       21.6  
Bowling & Billiards
    3.9       4.9       5.0  
                         
Total
  $ 88.5     $ 122.2     $ 134.5  

Number of Employees

The number of employees worldwide is shown below by segment:

   
December 31,
2009
   
December 31,
 2008
 
   
Total
   
Union
   
Total
   
Union
 
                         
Marine Engine
    3,683       1,835       5,436       1,166  
Boat
    4,744             6,774       17  
Fitness
    1,668       135       1,940       147  
Bowling & Billiards
    4,756       99       5,410       328  
Corporate
    152             200        
                                 
Total
    15,003       2,069       19,760       1,658  
 
Mercury Marine renegotiated its collective bargaining agreement for its Fond du Lac facility with the International Association of Machinists Winnebago Lodge 1947. The new agreement was ratified in August 2009. Additionally, the Marine Engine segment’s Attwood facility in Lowell, Michigan has a collective bargaining agreement with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Shipbuilders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers AFL-CIO, Local M-7, which was ratified in November 2009. In January 2009, BB&B renewed its collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Machinists, Local 2597, and the Federal Labor Union, Local 23409 AFL-CIO, both of which represent employees at the Muskegon, Michigan distribution facility. Life Fitness renewed its collective bargaining agreement with the Chemical and Production Workers Union, Local 30 AFL-CIO, at its Franklin Park, Illinois facility in February 2010.  The Company believes that the relationships between its employees, the labor unions and the Company remain stable.
 
Environmental Requirements

See Item 3 of this report for a description of certain environmental proceedings.

Available Information

Brunswick maintains an Internet Web site at http://www.brunswick.com that includes links to Brunswick’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports (SEC Reports). The SEC Reports are available without charge as soon as reasonably practicable following the time that they are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Shareholders and other interested parties may request email notification of the posting of these documents through the Investors section of Brunswick’s Web site.


 
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Item 1A. Risk Factors

The Company’s operations and financial results are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those described below, that could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and the trading price of the Company’s common stock.

Worldwide economic conditions, particularly in the United States and Europe, have adversely affected the Company’s industry, business and results of operations and may continue to do so. 
 
In 2008 and 2009, general worldwide economic conditions, particularly in the United States and Europe, experienced a downturn due to the effects of the subprime lending crisis, general credit market crisis, collateral effects on the finance and banking industries, increased energy costs, concerns about inflation, slower economic activity, decreased consumer confidence, reduced corporate profits and capital spending, adverse business conditions and liquidity concerns.  In times of economic uncertainty and contraction, consumers tend to have less discretionary income and to defer expenditures for discretionary items, which adversely affects the Company’s financial performance, especially in its marine businesses.  A significant majority of the Company’s businesses are cyclical in nature and are highly sensitive to personal discretionary spending levels, and their success is dependent upon favorable economic conditions, the overall level of consumer confidence and personal income levels. The impact of weakening consumer and corporate credit markets; continued reduction in marine industry demand; corporate restructurings; declines in the value of investments and residential real estate, especially in large boating markets such as Florida and California; and higher fuel prices, have negatively affected the Company’s financial results and may continue to do so.

Demand for the Company’s marine products has been significantly reduced by weak economic conditions, a lack of consumer confidence, unemployment and increased market volatility worldwide, especially in the United States and Europe.  The Company estimates that retail unit sales of powerboats in the United States were down significantly during 2009, compared with the already low retail unit sales during 2007 and 2008. Bankruptcies, reorganizations outside of the bankruptcy process, restructurings, debt renegotiations and closures have become significantly more numerous for the industry’s manufacturers, distributors and suppliers around the globe. Any continued deterioration in general economic conditions that further diminishes consumer confidence or discretionary income may further reduce the Company’s sales and adversely affect its financial results, including increasing the potential for future impairment charges.  The Company cannot predict the timing or duration of the current economic slowdown or the timing or strength of a subsequent economic recovery, either worldwide or in the specific markets where it competes.

The economic factors discussed above have also reduced the ability of fitness centers and bowling retail centers to invest in new equipment, which has adversely affected sales in the Company’s Fitness and Bowling & Billiards segments.

Tight consumer credit markets have reduced demand, especially for marine products, and may continue to do so.
 
Customers often finance purchases of the Company’s marine products, particularly boats.  Rising interest rates can have an adverse effect on consumers’ ability and willingness to finance boat purchases, which can adversely affect the Company’s ability to sell boats and engines to dealers and distributors.  Further, the current tight credit markets in the United States have resulted in a tightening of funds available for retail financing for marine products and in some cases have resulted in lenders imposing stricter eligibility requirements, such as higher credit scores for potential boat buyers, loans with a higher interest rate than in prior periods, a decline in loan advance rates, particularly on aged product, and larger down payments.  If the tightening of credit in the financial markets continues to adversely affect the ability of customers to finance potential purchases at acceptable terms and interest rates, it could result in a further decrease in sales of the Company’s products or delay any improvement in its sales.

The Company’s financial results may be adversely affected if it is unable to maintain effective distribution.
 
The Company relies on third-party dealers and distributors to sell the majority of its products, particularly in the marine business.  The ability to maintain a reliable network of dealers is essential to the Company’s success.  The Company faces competition from other boat manufacturers in attracting and retaining distributors and independent boat dealers. A significant deterioration in the number or effectiveness of the Company’s dealers and distributors could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial results.
 
 
9
 
Weak demand for marine products has adversely affected and could continue to adversely affect the financial performance of the Company’s dealers.  In particular, reduced cash flow from decreased sales and tighter credit markets may impair a dealer’s ability to fund operations.  A continued inability to fund operations can force dealers to cease business, and the Company may not be able to obtain alternate distribution in the vacated market. An inability to obtain alternate distribution could unfavorably affect the Company’s net sales through lower market exposure. The Company anticipates that dealer failures or voluntary market exits will continue into future periods.

Inventory reductions by major dealers, retailers and independent boat builders can adversely affect the Company’s financial results.
 
In 2008 and the first half of 2009, dealer inventory levels were higher than desired and dealer inventory was aged beyond the Company’s preferred level.  Consequently, in 2009, the Company implemented an aggressive pipeline strategy to reduce the number of units held by its dealers, which reduced field inventory by 13,700 units versus 2008 levels.  Such efforts, combined with retail discounting, resulted in diminished wholesale levels of the Company’s products in 2009. To achieve these reductions, the Company: reduced boat production for 2009 by approximately 65 percent as compared to the prior year (which has resulted in lower rates of absorption of fixed costs in the Company’s manufacturing facilities and thus lower margins); provided substantial support to dealers through retail discount programs aimed at reducing aged inventory; and, for most of the Company’s brands, delayed the start of the 2010 model year to September 1, 2009 in order to clear aged inventory to make room for new models.  Continued inventory reduction efforts by dealers and independent boatbuilder customers could impair the Company’s future sales and results of operations.

Excess supply of repossessed and aged boats can adversely affect industry pricing.

Boats entering the market through non-traditional avenues, such as dealer and independent boat builder failures and rising levels of consumer-related repossessions, have resulted in an excess supply of repossessed boats that has had an adverse effect on industry pricing. Failed or struggling dealers and boat builders may be required to sell their inventory at significantly reduced prices or liquidation prices in order to pay their financial obligations. These supply conditions, combined with the Company’s inventory pipeline reduction strategy, have resulted in higher discounts and sales incentives used to facilitate retail boat sales, which can lead to lower sales or result in pressure on wholesale prices.

The Company may be required to repurchase inventory or accounts of certain dealers.

The Company has agreements with certain third-party finance companies to provide financing to the Company’s customers to enable the purchase of its products.  In connection with these agreements, the Company may have obligations to either repurchase the Company’s products from the finance company, or may have recourse obligations to the finance company on the dealers receivables.  These obligations are triggered if the Company’s dealers default on their debt obligations to the finance companies.

The Company’s maximum contingent obligation to repurchase inventory and its maximum contingent recourse obligations on customer receivables are less than the total balances of dealer financings outstanding under these programs, as the Company’s obligations under certain of these arrangements are subject to caps, or limit the Company’s obligations based on the age of product.  The Company’s risk related to these arrangements is mitigated by the proceeds it receives on the resale of repurchased product to other dealers, or by recoveries on receivables purchased under the recourse obligations.
 
The Company’s inventory repurchase obligations relate primarily to the inventory floorplan credit facilities of the Company’s boat and engine dealers. The Company’s actual historical repurchase experience related to these arrangements has been substantially less than the Company’s maximum contractual obligations. If additional dealers file for bankruptcy or cease operations, additional losses associated with the repurchase of the Company’s products will be incurred.  The Company’s net sales and earnings may be unfavorably affected as a result of reduced market coverage and the associated decline in sales. 
 
Continued weakness in the marine industry could cause an increase in future repurchase activity, or could require the Company to incur losses in excess of established reserves.  In addition, the Company’s cash flow and loss experience could be adversely affected if inventory is not successfully distributed to other dealers in a timely manner, or if the recovery rate on the resale of the product declines.  In addition, the finance companies could require changes in repurchase or recourse terms that would result in an increase in the Company’s contractual contingent obligations.

The inability of the Company’s dealers and distributors to secure adequate access to capital could adversely affect the Company’s sales. 
 
The Company’s dealers require adequate liquidity to finance their operations, including purchases of the Company’s products.  Dealers are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could unfavorably affect their liquidity positions, including, among other things, continued access to adequate financing sources on a timely basis on reasonable terms.  These sources of financing are vital to the Company’s ability to sell products through the Company’s distribution network, particularly to its boat and engine dealers.  During the recent credit crisis, several third-party floorplan lenders ceased their lending operations, or materially reduced their exposure.  A significant portion of the Company’s domestic and international boat and engine sales to dealers are financed through entities affiliated with GE  Capital Corporation (GECC), including BAC (the Company’s 49 percent owned joint venture, with the other 51 percent being owned by CDFV, a subsidiary of GECC),  which provides floorplan financing to domestic marine dealers.  During 2009, GECC implemented several changes to its lending terms that significantly increased the cost of financing, imposed stricter lending criteria and required more rigorous terms, such as the timing of curtailment payments due on product based on aging.   These changes have translated to higher costs for dealers to carry inventory, which in part has led the Company and its dealers to reassess and ultimately reduce wholesale orders and dealer inventories.

10
BAC commenced operations in 2003, and in the second quarter of 2008, the term of the joint venture was extended through June 2014.  The joint venture is funded with the capital contributions from the joint venture partners, along with a $1.0 billion secured credit line provided by GE Commercial Distribution Finance Corporation (GECDF), which is in place through the term of the joint venture, and through receivable sales to a securitization facility arranged by GECDF.  The Company does not guarantee the debt of BAC.  GECDF may, however, terminate the joint venture if the Company is unable to maintain compliance with the minimum fixed-charge coverage ratio covenant included in the joint venture agreement, which is the same as the covenant included in the Company’s revolving credit facility.

The availability and terms of financing offered by the Company’s dealer floorplan financing providers (including BAC and others) will continue to be influenced by their ability to access certain markets, including the securitization and the commercial paper markets, and to fund their operations in a cost effective manner; the performance of their overall credit portfolios; their willingness to accept the risks associated with lending to marine dealers; and the overall creditworthiness of those dealers.  The Company’s sales could be adversely affected if BAC were to be terminated, if further declines in floorplan financing availability occur, or if financing terms become more adverse.  This could require the Company to find alternative sources of financing, including the Company providing this financing directly to dealers, which could require additional capital to fund the associated receivables. 
 
An impairment in the carrying value of goodwill, trade names and other long-lived assets could negatively affect the Company’s consolidated results of operations and net worth. 
 
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, such as the Company’s trade names, are recorded at fair value at the time of acquisition and are not amortized, but are reviewed for impairment at least annually or more frequently if impairment indicators arise.  In evaluating the potential for impairment of goodwill and trade names, the Company makes assumptions regarding future operating performance, business trends and market and economic conditions.  Such analyses further require the Company to make certain assumptions about sales, operating margins, growth rates and discount rates.  There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and in applying these factors to the assessment of goodwill and trade name recoverability.  Goodwill reviews are prepared using estimates of the fair value of reporting units based on market multiples of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) or on the estimated present value of future discounted cash flows.  The Company could be required to evaluate the recoverability of goodwill or trade names prior to the annual assessment if it experiences disruptions to the business, unexpected significant declines in operating results, divestiture of a significant component of the Company’s business or market capitalization declines.
 
The Company also continually evaluates whether events or circumstances have occurred that indicate the remaining estimated useful lives of its definite-lived intangible assets, excluding goodwill, and other long-lived assets may warrant revision or whether the remaining balance of such assets may not be recoverable.  The Company uses an estimate of the related undiscounted cash flow over the remaining life of the asset in measuring whether the asset is recoverable.

If the future operating performance of the Company’s reporting units is not consistent with the Company’s assumptions, the Company could be required to record additional non-cash impairment charges.  Impairment charges could substantially affect the Company’s reported earnings in the periods of such charges.  In addition, impairment charges could indicate a reduction in business value which could limit the Company’s ability to obtain adequate financing in the future.  As of December 31, 2009, the Company had $272.2 million of goodwill related to the Life Fitness segment and $20.3 million of goodwill related to the Marine Engine segment.  As of December 31, 2009, the Company’s total goodwill represented approximately 11 percent of total assets.

The Company’s business requires it to maintain a large fixed cost base that can affect its profitability. 
 
The high levels of fixed costs of operating marine production plants can put pressure on profit margins. The Company’s profitability is dependent, in part, on its ability to spread fixed costs over an increasing number of products sold and shipped, and if the Company continues to reduce its rate of production, as it did in 2008 and 2009, gross margins will be negatively impacted. Decreased demand or the need to reduce inventories can lower the Company’s ability to absorb fixed costs and materially impact its results of operations.
 
11

 Successfully establishing a smaller manufacturing footprint is critical to the Company’s operating and financial results. 
 
A significant component of the Company’s cost-reduction efforts has been focused on reducing its manufacturing footprint by consolidating boat and engine production into fewer plants.  Since January 1, 2007, the Company has closed 14 of its boat manufacturing facilities.  Additionally, during the third quarter of 2009, the Company announced plans to consolidate engine production by transferring sterndrive engine manufacturing operations from its Stillwater, Oklahoma plant to its Fond du Lac, Wisconsin plant. This plant consolidation effort is underway and is expected to occur throughout 2010 and 2011.

Moving production to a different plant involves risks, including the inability to start up production within the cost and timeframe estimated, to supply product to dealers when expected and to attract a sufficient number of skilled workers to handle the additional production demands.  The inability to successfully implement the Company’s manufacturing footprint initiatives could adversely affect its operating and financial results. Additionally, expenses associated with plant consolidation, including severance costs, pension funding requirements and loss of trained employees with knowledge of the Company’s business and operations could exceed projections and negatively impact financial results.

The Company’s inability to successfully implement its restructuring initiatives and other uncertainties could negatively affect the Company’s liquidity position, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. 
 
The Company’s ability to successfully generate cash flow will depend on its continued successful execution of the Company’s restructuring initiatives and its plans to consolidate manufacturing operations, in order to return the Company’s marine operations to profitability.  The Company is subject to numerous other risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect its cash flow in the future.  These include, among other things, the continued reduction in marine industry demand as a result of a weak global economy resulting in, among other things: (i) the failure of the Company’s customers to pay amounts owed or to pay amounts owed to it on a timely basis, or (ii) an increase in the Company’s obligations to repurchase its products or make recourse payments on customers’ debt obligations.  The continuation of, or adverse change with respect to, one or more of these trends would weaken the Company’s competitive position and materially adversely affect the Company’s ability to satisfy its anticipated cash requirements.

The Company relies on third-party suppliers for the supply of the raw materials, parts and components necessary to assemble its products.  The Company’s financial results may be adversely affected by an increase in cost, disruption of supply or shortage of or defect in raw materials, parts or product components. 
 
Outside suppliers and contract manufacturers provide the Company with raw materials used in its manufacturing processes including oil, aluminum, steel and resins, as well as product parts and components, such as engine blocks and boat windshields.  The prices for these raw materials, parts and components fluctuate depending on market conditions.  Substantial increases in the prices of the Company’s raw materials, parts and components would increase the Company’s operating costs, and could reduce its profitability if the Company cannot recoup the increased costs through increased product prices.  In addition, some components used in the Company’s manufacturing processes, including engine blocks and boat windshields, are available from a sole supplier or a limited number of suppliers.  Financial difficulties or solvency problems that these or other suppliers currently face or may face in the future could adversely affect their ability to supply the Company with the parts and components it needs, which could significantly disrupt the Company’s operations.  It may be difficult to find a replacement supplier for a limited or sole source raw material, part or component without significant delay or on commercially reasonable terms.  In addition, an uncorrected defect or supplier’s variation in a raw material, part or component, either unknown to the Company or incompatible with the Company’s manufacturing process, could harm the Company’s ability to manufacture products.  An increase in the cost of, a shortage of, or defects or a sustained interruption in the supply of some of these raw materials, parts or products that may be caused by delayed start-up periods experienced by the Company’s suppliers as they ramp up production efforts, financial pressures on the Company’s suppliers due to the weakening economy, a deterioration of the Company’s relationships with suppliers or by events such as natural disasters, power outages or labor strikes, could disrupt the Company’s operations, impair the Company’s ability to deliver products to the Company’s customers and negatively affect the Company’s financial results. In addition to the risks described above regarding interruption of supplies, which are exacerbated in the case of single-source suppliers, the exclusive supplier of a key component potentially could exert significant bargaining power over price, quality, warranty claims, or other terms relating to a component.

Additionally, as a result of recent worldwide economic conditions and the reduced demand for raw materials, parts, supplies and goods, many of the Company’s suppliers made the decision to slow or temporarily cease production in 2008 and 2009. Additionally, many of the Company’s suppliers have elected to reduce the size of their workforces. As the Company’s manufacturing operations continue to ramp up production in 2010, the Company’s need for raw materials and supplies will likewise increase. The Company’s suppliers must be prepared to resume operations and, in many cases, must recall or hire additional workers in order to fulfill the orders placed by the Company and other customers.  In 2009, the Company began experiencing some supply shortages and continues working to address this issue by indentifying alternative suppliers, working to secure adequate inventories of critical supplies and continually monitoring its supplier base. During this transition period, however, the Company may continue to experience shortages of and delayed delivery of key materials, parts and supplies that are essential to its manufacturing operations.

12
 The Company’s pension funding requirements and expenses are affected by certain factors outside of its control, including the performance of plan assets, the discount rate used to value liabilities, actuarial data and experience and legal and regulatory changes. 
 
The Company’s funding obligations and pension expense for its four qualified pension plans are driven by the performance of assets set aside in trusts for these plans, the discount rate used to value the plans’ liabilities, actuarial data and experience and legal and regulatory funding requirements.  Changes in these factors can affect the accounting expense and cash funding requirements associated with these plans, which could have an adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations, liquidity or shareholders’ equity.  In addition, a significant percentage of the Company’s pension plan assets are invested in equity securities.  Due to significant declines in worldwide financial market conditions, the funded status of the Company’s pension plans was adversely affected and the level of the Company’s funding of its pension liabilities has declined to approximately 60% (including the impact of non-qualified pension liabilities) as of December 31, 2009. The Company’s future pension expenses and funding requirements could further increase significantly due to the effect of the discount rate, changes in asset levels and a decline in the estimated return on plan assets. In addition, the Company could be legally required to make increased contributions to the pension plans, and these contributions could be material and negatively affect the Company’s cash flow.

Higher energy costs can adversely affect the Company’s results, especially in the marine and retail bowling center businesses. 
 
Higher energy and fuel costs result in increases in operating expenses at the Company’s manufacturing facilities and in the cost of shipping products to customers.  In addition, increases in energy costs can adversely affect the pricing and availability of petroleum-based raw materials such as resins and foam that are used in many of the Company’s marine products.  Also, higher fuel prices may have an adverse effect on demand for marine retail products as they increase the cost of boat ownership.  Finally, because heating and air conditioning comprise a significant part of the cost of operating a bowling center, any increase in the price of energy could adversely affect the operating margins of the Company’s bowling centers.

The Company’s profitability may suffer as a result of competitive pricing and other pressures. 
 
The introduction of lower-priced alternative products by other companies can hurt the Company’s competitive position in all of its businesses.  The Company is constantly subject to competitive pressures, particularly in the outboard engine market, in which predominantly Asian manufacturers often have pursued a strategy of aggressive pricing.  Such pricing pressure has limited the Company’s ability to increase prices for its products in response to raw material and other cost increases and has negatively affected the Company’s profit margins and may continue to do so.  The Company has also experienced pricing pressure from dealers with large unsold inventories and increasing levels of repossessed boats, and faces a meaningful volume of significantly discounted product coming into the market from failed or struggling manufacturers or dealers.

In addition, the Company’s independent boat builder customers may react negatively to potential competition for their products from Brunswick’s own boat brands, which can lead them to purchase marine engines and marine engine supplies from competing marine engine manufacturers and may negatively affect demand for the Company’s products.
 

 
13
 

The Company’s ability to remain competitive depends on the successful introduction of new product offerings. 
 
The Company believes that its customers rigorously evaluate their suppliers on the basis of product quality, development capability and new product innovation. The Company’s ability to remain competitive may be adversely affected by difficulties or delays in product development, such as an inability to develop viable new products, gain market acceptance of new products, generate sufficient capital to fund new product development or obtain adequate intellectual property protection for new products. Additionally, in 2008 and 2009, the Company decreased the amount spent on research and development and capital expenditures which, as a result, affects the number of new products it may be able to develop. To meet ever-changing consumer demands, the timing of market entry and pricing of new products are critical.  As a result, the Company may not be able to introduce new products necessary to remain competitive in all markets that it serves.

The Company competes with a variety of other activities for consumers’ scarce discretionary income and leisure time. 
 
The vast majority of the Company’s products are used for recreational purposes, and demand for the Company’s products can be adversely affected by competition from other activities that occupy consumers’ leisure time, including other forms of recreation as well as religious, cultural and community activities. A decrease in discretionary income as a result of the current economic environment has reduced consumers’ willingness to purchase and enjoy the Company’s products. 
 
The Company’s success depends upon the continued strength of its brands. 
 
The Company believes that its brands, including Brunswick, Mercury, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Hatteras and Life Fitness, are significant contributors to the success of the Company’s business and that maintaining and enhancing the brands are important to expanding the Company’s customer base.  Failure to protect the Company’s brands from infringers may adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations.

The Company’s operations are dependent upon the services of key individuals, the loss of which could materially harm us. 
 
The Company’s operations depend, in part, on the efforts of the Company’s executive officers and other key employees.  In addition, the Company’s future success will depend on, among other factors, its ability to attract and retain other qualified personnel. The loss of the services of any of the Company’s key employees or the failure to attract or retain employees could have a material adverse effect on the Company.  The Company’s restructuring activities, which have resulted in substantial employee terminations, may make it more difficult for the Company to attract or retain employees and it may be adversely affected for some time by the loss of trained employees with knowledge of the Company’s business and industries.  If the Company is unable to attract and retain qualified individuals, or the Company’s costs to do so increase significantly, the Company’s operations could be materially adversely affected.

The Company manufactures and sells products that create exposure to potential product liability, warranty liability, personal injury and property damage claims and litigation. 
 
The Company’s products may expose it to potential liabilities for product liability, warranty liability, personal injury or property damage claims relating to the use of those products. The Company’s manufacturing consolidation efforts could result in a disruption to its production processes and its increased production rates could result in product quality issues, thereby increasing the risk of litigation and potential liability. Historically, the resolution of such claims has not materially adversely affected the Company’s business, and the Company maintains insurance which it believes to be adequate.  However, the Company may experience material losses in the future, incur significant costs to defend claims or experience claims in excess of its insurance coverage or claims that will not be covered by insurance.  Furthermore, the Company’s reputation may be adversely affected by such claims, whether or not successful, including potential negative publicity about its products.

Environmental and zoning requirements can inhibit the Company’s ability to grow its marine businesses. 
 
Environmental restrictions, boat plant emission restrictions and permitting and zoning requirements can limit access to water for boating, as well as marina and storage space.  In addition, certain jurisdictions both inside and outside the United States require or are considering requiring a license to operate a recreational boat.  While such licensing requirements are not expected to be unduly restrictive, they may deter potential customers, thereby reducing the Company’s sales.
 

14
Compliance with environmental regulations affecting marine engines will increase costs and may reduce demand for the Company’s products. 
 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently adopted emission regulations requiring certain gasoline sterndrive and inboard engines to be equipped with a catalyst, with an effective date of January 1, 2010.  It is possible that environmental regulatory bodies may impose higher emissions standards in the future for marine engines.  Compliance with these standards would increase the cost to manufacture and the price to the customer of the Company’s engines, which could in turn reduce consumer demand for the Company’s marine products. Any increase in the cost of marine engines, an increase in the retail price to consumers or unforeseen delays in compliance with environmental regulations affecting these products could have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.

The Company’s businesses may be adversely affected by compliance obligations and liabilities under environmental and other laws and regulations. 
 
The Company is subject to federal, state, local and foreign environmental, health and safety laws and other regulations, including exposure restrictions in connection with manufacturing processes.  While the Company believes that it maintains all requisite licenses and permits and that it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, a failure to satisfy these and other regulatory requirements could cause the Company to incur fines or penalties or could increase its cost of operations.  The adoption of additional laws, rules and regulations could also increase the Company’s capital or operations costs.

The Company’s manufacturing processes involve the use, handling, storage and contracting for recycling or disposal of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes.  Accordingly, the Company is subject to regulations regarding these substances, and the misuse or mishandling of such substances could expose it to liabilities, including claims for property or natural resources damages, personal injury, or fines.  The Company is also subject to laws requiring the cleanup of contaminated property.  If a release of hazardous substances occurs at or from any of the Company’s current or former properties or another location where it has disposed of hazardous materials, the Company may be held liable for the contamination, regardless of knowledge or whether it was at fault in connection with the release, and the amount of such liability could be material.

If the Company’s intellectual property protection is inadequate, others may be able to use its technologies and thereby reduce the Company’s ability to compete, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company, its financial condition and results of operations. 
 
The Company regards much of the technology underlying its products as proprietary.  The steps the Company takes to protect its proprietary technology may be inadequate to prevent misappropriation of the Company’s technology, or third parties may independently develop similar technology.  The Company relies on a combination of patents, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws, employee and third party non-disclosure agreements and other contracts to establish and protect its technology and other intellectual property rights.  The agreements may be breached or terminated, and the Company may not have adequate remedies for any breach, and existing patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws afford it limited protection.  Policing unauthorized use of the Company’s intellectual property is difficult.  A third party could copy or otherwise obtain and use the Company’s products or technology without authorization. Litigation may be necessary for the Company to defend against claims of infringement or to protect its intellectual property rights and could result in substantial cost.  Further, the Company might not prevail in such litigation, which could harm its business.

Some of the Company’s operations are conducted by joint ventures that it cannot operate solely for its benefit. 
 
Some of the Company’s operations are carried on through jointly owned companies such as BAC or Cummins MerCruiser Diesel Marine LLC (CMD), Mercury Marine’s joint venture with Cummins Marine, a division of Cummins Inc.  With respect to these joint ventures, the Company shares ownership and management of these companies with one or more parties who may not have the same goals, strategies, priorities or resources as the Company.  These joint ventures are intended to be operated for the equal benefit of all co-owners, rather than for the Company’s exclusive benefit.

Changes in currency exchange rates can adversely affect the Company’s results. 
 
Because the Company derives a portion of its revenues from outside the United States (42% in 2009), the Company’s financial performance can be adversely affected when the U.S. dollar strengthens against other currencies.  The Company manufactures its products primarily in the United States and the costs of the Company’s products are generally denominated in U.S. dollars, although the increasing manufacture and sourcing of products and materials outside the United States continues to be a strategic focus.  The Company sells most of these products in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Consequently, a strong U.S. dollar can make the Company’s products less price-competitive relative to local products outside the United States.
 
 
15
 
Although the Company enters into currency exchange contracts to reduce its risk related to currency exchange fluctuations, it is impossible to hedge against all currency risk, especially over the long term, and changes in the relative values of currencies occur from time to time and may, in some instances, affect the Company’s results of operations.  The Company is also exposed to the risk that its counterparties to hedging contracts could default on their obligations, which may have an adverse effect on the Company.

A growing portion of the Company’s revenue may be derived from international sources, which exposes it to additional uncertainty. 
 
Approximately 42% of the Company’s 2009 sales were derived from sources outside of the United States, and the Company intends to continue to expand its international operations and customer base.  Sales outside of the United States, especially in emerging markets, are subject to various risks including governmental embargoes or foreign trade restrictions, tariffs, fuel duties, inflation and political difficulties in enforcing agreements and collecting receivables through foreign legal systems, compliance with international laws, treaties and regulations and unexpected changes in regulatory environments, disruptions in distribution, dependence on foreign personnel and unions, as well as economic and social instability.  In addition, there may be tax inefficiencies in repatriating cash flow from non-U.S. subsidiaries.  If the Company continues to expand its business globally, its success will depend, in part, on the Company’s ability to anticipate and effectively manage these and other risks.  These and other factors may have a material impact on the Company’s international operations or its business as a whole.

 Adverse weather conditions can have a negative effect on marine and retail bowling center revenues. 
 
Weather conditions can have a significant effect on the Company’s operating and financial results, especially in the marine and retail bowling center businesses.  Sales of the Company’s marine products are generally stronger just before and during spring and summer, and favorable weather during these months generally has a positive effect on consumer demand.  Conversely, unseasonably cool weather, excessive rainfall or drought conditions during these periods can reduce demand.  Hurricanes and other storms can result in the disruption of the Company’s distribution channel. In addition, severely inclement weather on weekends and holidays, particularly during the winter months, can adversely affect patronage of the Company’s bowling centers and, therefore, revenues in the retail bowling center business.  Additionally, in the event that climate change occurs, which could result in environmental changes including, but not limited to, severe weather, rising sea levels or reduced access to water, the Company's business could be disrupted and negatively impacted.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

Brunswick’s headquarters are located in Lake Forest, Illinois. Brunswick has numerous manufacturing plants, distribution warehouses, bowling family entertainment centers, retail stores, sales offices and product test sites around the world. Research and development facilities are decentralized within Brunswick’s operating segments and most are located at manufacturing sites.

The Company believes its facilities are suitable and adequate for its current needs and are well maintained and in good operating condition. Most plants and warehouses are of modern, single-story construction, providing efficient manufacturing and distribution operations. The Company believes its manufacturing facilities have the capacity to meet current and anticipated demand. Brunswick owns its Lake Forest, Illinois headquarters and most of its principal plants.

The primary facilities used in Brunswick’s continuing operations are in the following locations:

Marine Engine Segment:  Fresno and Los Angeles, California; Old Lyme, Connecticut; Miramar, Panama City, Pompano Beach and St. Cloud, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Lowell, Michigan; Stillwater, Oklahoma; Brookfield and Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; Petit Rechain, Belgium; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Suzhou, People’s Republic of China; Juarez, Mexico; Auckland, New Zealand; Vila Nova de Cerveira, Portugal; and Singapore. The Fresno and Los Angeles, California; Old Lyme, Connecticut; Miramar and Pompano Beach, Florida; Lowell, Michigan; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Auckland, New Zealand facilities are leased. The remaining facilities are owned by Brunswick.

Boat Segment:  Adelanto, California; Edgewater, Merritt Island and Palm Coast, Florida; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Little Falls and New York Mills, Minnesota; Lebanon, Missouri; New Bern, North Carolina; Vila Nova de Cerveira, Portugal; Ashland City, Knoxville and Vonore, Tennessee; Princeville, Quebec, Canada; Zhuhai, People’s Republic of China; Reynosa, Mexico; and Kidderminster, United Kingdom. Brunswick owns all of these facilities with the exception of the Adelanto, California facility, which is leased.

Fitness Segment:  Franklin Park and Schiller Park, Illinois; Falmouth, Kentucky; Ramsey, Minnesota; and Kiskoros and Szekesfehervar, Hungary. The Schiller Park office and a portion of the Franklin Park facility are leased. The remaining facilities are owned by Brunswick or, in the case of the Kiskoros, Hungary facility, by a company in which Brunswick is the majority owner.
 
16

Bowling & Billiards Segment:  Lake Forest, Illinois; Muskegon, Michigan; Bristol, Wisconsin; Szekesfehervar, Hungary; and Reynosa, Mexico; 100 bowling recreation centers in the United States, Canada and Europe; and one retail billiards store in a Boston suburb. Approximately 35 percent of BB&B’s bowling centers, as well as the Reynosa manufacturing facility and the retail billiards store, are leased. The remaining facilities are owned by Brunswick.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

The Company accrues for litigation exposure based upon its assessment, made in consultation with counsel, of the likely range of exposure stemming from the claim. In light of existing reserves, the Company’s litigation claims, when finally resolved, will not, in the opinion of management, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. If current estimates for the cost of resolving any claims are later determined to be inadequate, results of operations could be adversely affected in the period in which additional provisions are required.

Tax Case

In February 2003, the United States Tax Court issued a ruling upholding the disallowance by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of capital losses and other expenses for 1990 and 1991 related to two partnership investments entered into by the Company. In 2003 and 2004, the Company made payments to the IRS comprised of approximately $33 million in taxes due and approximately $39 million of pretax interest (approximately $25 million after-tax) to avoid future interest costs. Subsequently, the Company and the IRS settled all issues involved in and related to this case. As a result, the Company reversed $42.6 million of tax reserves in 2006, primarily related to the reassessment of underlying exposures, received a refund of $12.9 million from the IRS, and recorded an additional tax receivable of $4.1 million for interest related to these tax years. In 2008, the Company protested that the IRS’s calculation of the $4.1 million interest receivable due to the Company was understated. As a result, the IRS paid the Company approximately $10 million for interest related to these tax years in 2008. Additionally, these tax years will be subject to tax audits by various state jurisdictions to determine the state tax effect of the IRS's audit adjustments.

German Tax Audit

As the result of a German tax audit for years 1998 through 2001, the Company’s German subsidiary received a proposed audit adjustment in the fourth quarter of 2009, which is being contested by the Company, related to the shutdown of the subsidiary’s pinsetter manufacturing operation and sale of the subsidiary’s pinsetter assets to a related subsidiary.

Environmental Matters

Brunswick is involved in certain legal and administrative proceedings under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 and other federal and state legislation governing the generation and disposal of certain hazardous wastes. These proceedings, which involve both on- and off-site waste disposal or other contamination, in many instances seek compensation or remedial action from Brunswick as a waste generator under Superfund legislation, which authorizes action regardless of fault, legality of original disposition or ownership of a disposal site. Brunswick has established reserves based on a range of cost estimates for all known claims.

The environmental remediation and clean-up projects in which Brunswick is involved have an aggregate estimated range of exposure of approximately $46.2 million to $80.4 million as of December 31, 2009. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, Brunswick had reserves for environmental liabilities of $48.0 million and $46.9 million, respectively. The Company recorded environmental provisions of $2.4 million, $0.0 and $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Brunswick accrues for environmental remediation related activities for which commitments or clean-up plans have been developed and for which costs can be reasonably estimated. All accrued amounts are generally determined in coordination with third-party experts on an undiscounted basis and do not consider recoveries from third parties until such recoveries are realized. In light of existing reserves, the Company’s environmental claims, when finally resolved, will not, in the opinion of management, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
 
17

Asbestos Claims

Brunswick’s subsidiary, Old Orchard Industrial Corp., is a defendant in more than 8,000 lawsuits involving claims of asbestos exposure from products manufactured by Vapor Corporation (Vapor), a former subsidiary that the Company divested in 1990. Virtually all of the asbestos suits involve numerous other defendants. The claims generally allege that Vapor sold products that contained components, such as gaskets, which included asbestos, and seek monetary damages. Neither Brunswick nor Vapor is alleged to have manufactured asbestos. Several thousand claims have been dismissed with no payment and no claim has gone to jury verdict. In a few cases, claims have been filed against other Brunswick entities, with a majority of these suits being either dismissed or settled for nominal amounts. The Company does not believe that the resolution of these lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Brazilian Customs Dispute

In June 2007, the Brazilian Customs Office issued an assessment against a Company subsidiary in the amount of approximately $14 million related to the importation of Life Fitness products into Brazil. The assessment was based on a determination by Brazilian customs officials that the proper import value of Life Fitness equipment imported into Brazil should be the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of those goods in the United States. This assessment was dismissed during 2008. The Brazilian Customs Office has appealed the ruling as a matter of course.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of 2009.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

Brunswick’s Executive Officers are listed in the following table:

Officer                     
 
Present Position                                                    
 
Age
         
Dustan E. McCoy
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
60
Peter B. Hamilton
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
63
Kristin M. Coleman
 
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
 
41
Andrew E. Graves
 
Vice President and President – Brunswick Boat Group
 
50
Kevin S. Grodzki
 
Vice President and President – Mercury Marine Sales, Marketing and Commercial Operations
 
54
Warren N. Hardie
 
Vice President and President – Brunswick Bowling & Billiards
 
59
B. Russell Lockridge
 
Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
 
60
Alan L. Lowe
 
Vice President and Controller
 
58
John C. Pfeifer
 
Vice President, President – Brunswick Marine in EMEA and President – Brunswick Global Structure
 
44
 
Mark D. Schwabero
 
Vice President and President – Mercury Marine
 
57
John E. Stransky
 
Vice President and President – Life Fitness
 
58
Stephen M. Wolpert
 
Vice President and Vice President – Global Boat Operations
 
55


There are no familial relationships among these officers. The term of office of all elected officers expires May 5, 2010. The Executive Officers are appointed from time to time at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer.

Dustan E. McCoy was named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Brunswick in December 2005. He was Vice President of Brunswick and President – Brunswick Boat Group from 2000 to 2005. From 1999 to 2000, he was Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Brunswick.

Peter B. Hamilton was named Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Brunswick in September 2008. He served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Brunswick from 2000 until his retirement in 2007; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Brunswick from 1998 to 2000; and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Brunswick from 1995 to 1998.

Kristin M. Coleman was named Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Brunswick in May 2009. Prior to her appointment, she was Vice President and Associate General Counsel for Mead Johnson Nutrition Company. She had previously been with Brunswick Corporation from 2003 to 2008, serving in a number of positions of increasing responsibility.
 
18
Andrew E. Graves was named Vice President and President – Brunswick Boat Group in October 2009.  Previously, he was Vice President and President – US Marine and Outboard Boats from 2008 to 2009; and President – Brunswick Boat Group Freshwater Group from 2005 to 2008.  From 2003 to 2005, Mr. Graves was President of Dresser Flow Solutions, a global energy infrastructure company.

Kevin S. Grodzki was named Vice President and President – Mercury Marine Sales, Marketing and Commercial Operations in November of 2008. He has been with Mercury since 2005. Prior to that assignment, he was President of Brunswick’s Life Fitness Division.
 
Warren N. Hardie was named Vice President and President – Brunswick Bowling & Billiards in February 2006. Previously, he was President – Bowling Retail from 1998 to February 2006.

B. Russell Lockridge has been Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Brunswick since 1999.

Alan L. Lowe has been Vice President and Controller of Brunswick since September 2003.

John C. Pfeifer was named Vice President and President – Brunswick Marine in EMEA, as well as President – Brunswick Global Structure, in February 2008.  Mr. Pfeifer joined Brunswick in 2006, serving most recently as President – Brunswick Asia-Pacific Group.  Prior to joining Brunswick, Mr. Pfeifer held executive positions with ITT Corporation, a high-technology engineering and manufacturing company, from 2000 to 2006.

Mark D. Schwabero was named Vice President and President – Mercury Marine in December 2008. Previously, he was President – Mercury Outboards from 2004 to 2008.

John E. Stransky was named Vice President and President – Life Fitness in February 2006. Previously, he was President – Brunswick Bowling & Billiards from February 2005 to February 2006 and President of the Billiards division from 1998 to 2005.

Stephen M. Wolpert was named Vice President and Vice President – Global Boat Operations in November of 2009. Mr. Wolpert most recently was Vice President of Manufacturing and, prior to that appointment, served as President – US Marine Division.  He joined the Brunswick Boat Group as its Vice President – Manufacturing in 2001, and continued serving in positions of increasing responsibility.
 
 
 
19
 

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Brunswick’s common stock is traded on the New York and Chicago Stock Exchanges. Quarterly information with respect to the high and low prices for the common stock and the dividends declared on the common stock is set forth in Note 22 – Quarterly Data (unaudited) in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. As of February 19, 2010, there were 12,517 shareholders of record of the Company’s common stock.

In October 2009 and October 2008, Brunswick announced its annual dividend on its common stock of $0.05 per share, payable in December 2009 and December 2008, respectively. Brunswick intends to continue to pay annual dividends at the discretion of the Board of Directors, subject to continued capital availability and a determination that cash dividends continue to be in the best interest of the Company’s stockholders.

In the second quarter of 2005, Brunswick’s Board of Directors authorized and announced a $200.0 million share repurchase program, to be funded with available cash. On April 27, 2006, the Board of Directors increased the Company’s remaining share repurchase authorization of $62.2 million to $500.0 million. The Company did not repurchase any shares during 2009 or 2008. During 2007, the Company repurchased approximately 4.1 million shares under this program for $125.8 million. As of December 31, 2009, the Company had repurchased approximately 11.7 million shares for $397.4 million since the program’s inception with a remaining authorization of $240.4 million. The plan has been suspended as the Company intends to retain cash to enhance its liquidity rather than to repurchase shares.

Brunswick’s dividend and share repurchase policies may be affected by, among other things, the Company’s views on future liquidity, potential future capital requirements and restrictions contained in certain credit agreements.

 
 
20
 

Performance Graph

Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return among Brunswick, S&P 500 Index and S&P 500 Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) Consumer Discretionary Index
 
Performance Graph
 

 
 
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Brunswick
100.00
83.23
66.38
36.35
9.02
27.39
S&P 500 Index
100.00
103.00
117.03
121.16
74.53
92.01
S&P 500 GICS Consumer Discretionary Index
100.00
92.64
108.61
93.05
60.74
83.07

The basis of comparison is a $100 investment at December 31, 2004, in each of (i) Brunswick, (ii) the S&P 500 Index, and (iii) the S&P 500 GICS Consumer Discretionary Index. All dividends are assumed to be reinvested. The S&P 500 GICS Consumer Discretionary Index encompasses industries including automotive, household durable goods, textiles and apparel, and leisure equipment. Brunswick believes the companies included in this index provide a representative sample of enterprises that are in primary lines of business that are similar to Brunswick’s.

 
21
 

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The selected historical financial data presented below as of and for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 have been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the historical consolidated financial statements of the Company, including the notes thereto, and Item 7 of this report, including the Matters Affecting Comparability section. The selected historical financial data presented below as of and for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 have been derived from the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the years that are not included herein. The financial data presented below have been restated to present discontinued operations separately from continuing operations.

(in millions, except per share data)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                               
Results of operations data
                             
Net sales
  $ 2,776.1     $ 4,708.7     $ 5,671.2     $ 5,665.0     $ 5,606.9  
Operating earnings (loss) (A)
    (570.5 )     (611.6 )     107.2       341.2       468.7  
Earnings (loss) before interest, loss on early 
  extinguishment of debt and income taxes (A)
    (588.7 )     (584.7 )     136.3       354.2       524.1  
Earnings (loss) before income taxes (A)
    (684.7 )     (632.2 )     92.7       309.7       485.9  
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations (A)
    (586.2 )     (788.1 )     79.6       263.2       371.1  
                                         
Discontinued operations:
                                       
  Earnings (loss) from discontinued
    operations, net of tax (B)
             —        32.0       (129.3 )      14.3  
                                         
Net earnings (loss) (A)
  $ (586.2 )   $ (788.1 )   $ 111.6     $ 133.9     $ 385.4  
                                         
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
                                       
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (A)
  $ (6.63 )   $ (8.93 )   $ 0.88     $ 2.80     $ 3.80  
Discontinued operations:
                                       
  Earnings (loss) from discontinued
    operations, net of tax
             —        0.36       (1.38 )      0.15  
                                         
Net earnings (loss) (A)
  $ (6.63 )   $ (8.93 )   $ 1.24     $ 1.42     $ 3.95  
                                         
Average shares used for computation of
  basic earnings (loss) per share
    88.4       88.3       89.8       94.0       97.6  
                                         
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
                                       
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (A)
  $ (6.63 )   $ (8.93 )   $ 0.88     $ 2.78     $ 3.76  
Discontinued operations:
                                       
  Earnings (loss) from discontinued
    operations, net of tax
             —        0.36       (1.37 )      0.14  
                                         
Net earnings (loss) (A)
  $ (6.63 )   $ (8.93 )   $ 1.24     $ 1.41     $ 3.90  
                                         
Average shares used for computation of
  diluted earnings per share
    88.4       88.3       90.2       94.7       98.8  

(A) 
2009 results include $172.5 million of pretax restructuring, exit and impairment charges. 2008 results include $688.4 million of pretax goodwill impairment charges, trade name impairment charges and restructuring, exit and impairment charges. 2007 results include $88.6 million of pretax trade name impairment charges and restructuring, exit and impairment charges. 2006 results include $17.1 million of pretax restructuring, exit and impairment charges.

(B) 
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations in 2007 include net gains of $29.8 million related to the sales of the discontinued businesses. Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations in 2006 include an $85.6 million impairment charge ($73.9 million pretax) related to the Company’s announcement in December 2006 that proceeds from the sale of BNT were expected to be less than its book value. See Note 20 – Discontinued Operations in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

 
22
 


(in millions, except per share and other data)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                               
Balance sheet data
                             
Total assets of continuing operations
  $ 2,709.4     $ 3,223.9     $ 4,365.6     $ 4,312.0     $ 4,414.8  
Debt
  Short-term
  $ 11.5     $ 3.2     $ 0.8     $ 0.7     $ 1.1  
  Long-term
    839.4       728.5       727.4       725.7       723.7  
Total debt
    850.9       731.7       728.2       726.4       724.8  
Common shareholders’ equity (A) (B)
    210.3       729.9       1,892.9       1,871.8       1,978.8  
                                         
Total capitalization (A) (B)
  $ 1,061.2     $ 1,461.6     $ 2,621.1     $ 2,598.2     $ 2,703.6  
                                         
Cash flow data
Net cash provided by (used for)
    operating activities of continuing operations
  $  125.5     $ (12.1 )   $  344.1     $  351.0     $  421.6  
Depreciation and amortization
    157.3       177.2       180.1       167.3       156.3  
Capital expenditures
    33.3       102.0       207.7       205.1       223.8  
Acquisitions of businesses
                6.2       86.2       130.3  
Investments
    (6.2 )     (20.0 )     (4.1 )     (6.1 )     18.1  
Stock repurchases
                125.8       195.6       76.0  
Cash dividends paid
    4.4       4.4       52.6       55.0       57.3  
                                         
Other data
Dividends declared per share
  $ 0.05     $ 0.05     $ 0.60     $ 0.60     $ 0.60  
Book value per share (A) (B)
    2.38       8.27       20.99       19.76       20.03  
Return on beginning shareholders’ equity
    (80.3)%       (41.6)%       6.0%       6.8%       22.5%  
Effective tax rate
    14.4%       (24.7)%       14.1%       15.0%       23.6%  
Debt-to-capitalization rate (A) (B)
    80.2%       50.1%       27.8%       28.0%       26.8%  
Number of employees
    15,003       19,760       27,050       28,000       26,500  
Number of shareholders of record
    12,602       12,842       13,052       13,695       14,143  
Common stock price (NYSE)
  High
  $ 13.11     $ 19.28     $ 34.80     $ 42.30     $ 49.50  
  Low
    2.18       2.01       17.05       27.56       35.09  
  Close (last trading day)
    12.71       4.21       17.05       31.90       40.66  

  (A) 
Effective December 31, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans – an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R),” codified under ASC 715 “Compensation – Retirement Benefits,” which resulted in a $60.7 million decrease to Shareholders’ equity. The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” (FIN 48), codified under ASC 740 “Income Taxes,” effective on January 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company recognized an $8.7 million decrease in the net liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which was accounted for as an increase to the January 1, 2007, opening retained earnings.

(B
2009 results include $172.5 million of pretax restructuring, exit and impairment charges. 2008 results include $688.4 million of pretax goodwill impairment charges, trade name impairment charges and restructuring, exit and impairment charges. 2007 results include $88.6 million of pretax trade name impairment charges and restructuring, exit and impairment charges. 2006 results include $17.1 million of pretax restructuring, exit and impairment charges.

  
The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the above summary.


 
23
 

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Certain statements in Management’s Discussion and Analysis are based on non-GAAP financial measures. Specifically, the discussion of the Company’s cash flows includes an analysis of free cash flows, net debt and total liquidity. GAAP refers to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. A “non-GAAP financial measure” is a numerical measure of a registrant’s historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding amounts, that are included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statement of operations, balance sheet or statement of cash flows of the issuer; or includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of including amounts, that are excluded from the most directly comparable measure so calculated and presented. Operating and statistical measures are not non-GAAP financial measures.

The Company includes non-GAAP financial measures in Management’s Discussion and Analysis, as Brunswick’s management believes that these measures and the information they provide are useful to investors because they permit investors to view Brunswick’s performance using the same tools that management uses and to better evaluate the Company’s ongoing business performance.

Certain other statements in Management’s Discussion and Analysis are forward-looking as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from expectations as of the date of this filing because of factors discussed in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Overview and Outlook

General

In 2009, Brunswick continued its restructuring activities in order to operate effectively in a difficult economy and marine industry, while positioning itself to take advantage of market opportunities as they evolve, and maintaining its strategic objective to solidify its leadership position in the marine, fitness and bowling and billiards industries, by:

 
Maintaining strong liquidity during difficult economic times;

 
Focusing on cost reduction initiatives across the organization through the resizing and realignment of Brunswick’s manufacturing operations and organizational structure;

 
Continuing to shrink and consolidate its manufacturing footprint to a level that allows each facility to produce at higher volumes and lower costs; and

 
Lowering its marine production levels to achieve reductions in pipeline inventories held by its dealers in order to maintain the health of the Company’s many dealers in a difficult retail environment.

Actions in support of the Company’s strategic objectives in 2009 include:

Maintaining Liquidity:

–  
Increased its overall liquidity and reduced its net debt position, when compared with the end of 2008, through cost reduction efforts, combined with inventory management strategies;

–  
Reduced its near-term debt obligations through a $350.0 million debt offering due in 2016.  The Company used a portion of the proceeds to repay 99.6 percent of the Company’s notes due in 2011 and to reduce the amount of its 2013 notes outstanding to $153.4 million, representing the only significant long-term debt maturity from 2010 to 2015; and

–  
Ended the year with $526.6 million of cash, compared with $317.5 million at the end of 2008, despite a significant reduction in sales and a difficult economy.

24

 
Cost Reduction Initiatives and Manufacturing Realignment:

–  
Achieved the Company’s goal of reducing its fixed-cost structure compared with 2007 by approximately $420 million through continued reduction of the Company’s global workforce, consolidation of manufacturing operations and disposition of non-strategic assets;

–  
Reduced total Company workforce by 24 percent in 2009 and 45 percent since 2007;

–  
Removed approximately 13,700 boats, or 47 percent, from dealer pipeline inventories; and

–  
Further adjusted the boat manufacturing footprint to streamline operations by having several plants manufacture multiple brands, rather than having dedicated facilities for single brands; and

–  
Reduced the number of boat models being manufactured in order to better utilize the new footprint and to reduce complexity and costs.
 
Dealer Health:

–  
Announced plans to consolidate engine production by transferring sterndrive engine manufacturing operations from its Stillwater, Oklahoma plant to its Fond du Lac, Wisconsin plant, which currently produces the Company’s outboard engines;

–  
Maintained the Company’s dealer network by replacing those dealers who were underperforming and/or exiting the market with healthier dealers in the same territories, thereby ensuring adequate brand representation. The Company experienced a  net loss of boat brand representation at dealers of approximately 1 percent.
 
Brunswick incurred financial losses in 2009 due to continued weakness in marine markets, contracting global credit markets and the effects of its restructuring and dealer health actions. Net sales from continuing operations in 2009 decreased to $2,776.1 million from $4,708.7 million in 2008. The overall decrease in sales was primarily due to the continued reduction in marine industry demand as a result of a weak global economy, soft housing markets and the contraction of liquidity in global credit markets. The reduction in marine industry demand is evidenced by the declining number of retail unit sales of powerboats in the United States since 2005, with the rate of decline accelerating throughout 2009. Industry retail unit sales were down significantly during 2009 compared with the already low retail unit sales during 2008. In 2009, the Company reported lower sales across all segments and global regions.

Operating losses from continuing operations for 2009 were $570.5 million, with negative operating margins of 20.6 percent. Operating losses from continuing operations for 2008 were $611.6 million, with negative operating margins of 13.0 percent. The 2009 results included $172.5 million of restructuring, exit and impairment charges, while the 2008 results included goodwill and trade name impairment charges of $511.1 million and $177.3 million of restructuring, exit and impairment charges. The lower operating losses during 2009 primarily resulted from the absence of goodwill and trade name impairment charges and the benefit of cost-reduction initiatives, as discussed in Note 2 – Restructuring Activities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. These factors were partially offset by lower sales across all segments, higher pension expense, the absence of variable compensation and defined contribution accruals in 2008, higher dealer incentive programs and sales discounts and reduced fixed-cost absorption due to reduced production rates in the Company’s marine businesses.


 
25
 

Restructuring Activities

In November 2006, Brunswick announced restructuring initiatives to improve the Company’s cost structure, better utilize overall capacity and improve general operating efficiencies. As the marine market entered a sustained decline in 2007, Brunswick expanded its restructuring activities during 2007, 2008 and 2009 in order to improve performance and better position the Company to address current market conditions and enable long-term profitable growth. These initiatives have resulted in the recognition of restructuring, exit and impairment charges in the Statement of Operations during 2009, 2008 and 2007.

Total restructuring, exit and impairment charges in 2009 were $172.5 million which consists of $48.3 million in the Marine Engine segment, $107.8 million in the Boat segment, $2.1 million in the Fitness segment, $5.3 million in the Bowling & Billiards segment and $9.0 million at Corporate. See Note 2 – Restructuring Activities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details. 
 
The actions taken under these initiatives will benefit future operations as the Company has removed fixed costs of approximately $100 million from Cost of sales and approximately $320 million from Selling, general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations when compared with 2007 spending levels. The majority of these costs are cash savings. The Company anticipates it will incur approximately $30 million of additional charges in 2010 related to known restructuring activities that will be initiated in 2010 or have been initiated in 2009.

Goodwill and Trade Name Impairments

Brunswick accounts for goodwill and identifiable intangible assets in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 350 “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other” (ASC 350). Under this standard, Brunswick assesses the impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets at least annually in the fourth quarter and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

The Company did not record any goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible asset impairments during 2009 after completing its annual impairment test. While the Company has a plan to restore itself to profitability, as discussed in Note 2 – Restructuring Activities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, it has no assurance that the plan will be achieved or that the Company will return to profitability in the foreseeable future. As a result, the Company may be required to take an impairment charge in a future period if it experiences any significant adverse changes in its businesses or as part of its annual impairment testing for goodwill to the extent that the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill may not be recoverable. As of December 31, 2009, the carrying value of goodwill at the Company’s Fitness and Marine Engine segments was $272.2 million and $20.3 million, respectively. While the Company does not believe it will incur an impairment loss on its Marine Engine segment, a reasonable possibility exists that an impairment loss might be required for the Fitness segment in future periods. The Fitness segment’s fair value exceeded its carrying value by approximately 10 percent during the testing performed in 2009. The outcome of the testing performed is largely dependent on the segment’s forecasted future cash flows and the selection of an appropriate discount rate to apply to those future cash flows. The Fitness segment’s fourth quarter has historically represented approximately 50 percent of the segment’s operating earnings for the entire year, and as a result, the operating earnings in future fourth quarters will have a significant impact on the Company’s forecasted future cash flows used in the annual goodwill impairment test.

During the third quarter of 2008, Brunswick encountered a significant adverse change in the business climate. A weak U.S. economy, soft housing markets and the contraction of liquidity in global credit markets contributed to the continued reduction in demand for certain Brunswick products and, consequently, reduced wholesale production rates for those affected products. As a result of this reduced demand, along with lower-than-projected profits across certain Brunswick brands and lower commitments received from its dealer network in the third quarter, management revised its future cash flow expectations in the third quarter of 2008, which lowered the fair value estimates of certain businesses.

As a result of the lower fair value estimates, Brunswick concluded that the carrying amounts of its Boat segment and bowling retail and billiards reporting units within the Bowling & Billiards segment exceeded their respective fair values. The Company compared the implied fair value of the goodwill in each reporting unit with the carrying value and concluded that a $374.0 million pretax impairment charge needed to be recognized in the third quarter of 2008. Of this amount, $361.3 million related to the Boat segment reporting unit, $1.7 million related to the bowling retail reporting unit within the Bowling & Billiards segment and $11.0 million related to the billiards reporting unit within the Bowling & Billiards segment. The Company also recognized goodwill impairment charges of $1.5 million in the Boat segment reporting unit and $1.7 million related to the billiards reporting unit within the Bowling & Billiards segment earlier in 2008 as a result of deciding to exit certain businesses. As a result of the $377.2 million of impairments, all goodwill at these respective reporting units has been written down to zero.

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In conjunction with the goodwill impairment testing, the Company analyzed the valuation of its other indefinite-lived intangibles, consisting of acquired trade names. Brunswick estimated the fair value of trade names by performing a discounted cash flow analysis based on the relief-from-royalty approach. This approach treats the trade name as if it were licensed by the Company rather than owned, and calculates its value based on the discounted cash flow of the projected license payments. The analysis resulted in a pretax trade name impairment charge of $121.1 million in the third quarter of 2008, representing the excess of the carrying cost of the trade names over the calculated fair value. Of this amount, $115.7 million related to the Boat segment reporting unit, $4.5 million related to the Marine Engine segment reporting unit and $0.9 million related to the billiards reporting unit within the Bowling & Billiards segment. The Company also recognized trade name impairment charges of $5.2 million in the Boat segment reporting unit and $7.6 million related to the billiards reporting unit within the Bowling & Billiards segment earlier in 2008 as a result of deciding to exit certain businesses.

Discontinued Operations

As discussed in Note 20 – Discontinued Operations in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, in April 2006, the Company announced its intention to sell the majority of the Brunswick New Technologies (BNT) business unit, consisting of the Company’s marine electronics, portable navigation device (PND) and wireless fleet tracking businesses. During the second quarter of 2006, Brunswick began reporting the results of these BNT businesses, which were previously reported in the Marine Engine segment, as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The Company’s results, as discussed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis, reflect continuing operations only, unless otherwise noted. The Company completed the divestiture of the BNT discontinued operations in 2007.

Outlook for 2010

Looking ahead to 2010, the Company expects 2010 revenues to be higher when compared with 2009, primarily in the Marine Engine and Boat segments.  The expectation of higher revenues is a result of the Company’s expected marine wholesale shipments in 2010 more closely matching marine retail demand, whereas 2009 wholesale shipments were significantly lower than retail sales. In addition, the Company expects to offer reduced discounts to incent marine retail demand for prior model year boats. The Company also expects the Fitness and Bowling & Billiards segments to experience a modest growth in revenues. 
 
Due to higher sales and production volumes in the Company’s marine segments, 2010 gross margins are expected to be improved and operating losses are expected to be significantly reduced. Actions in 2009 to lower dealer pipeline inventories are expected to have a favorable effect on margins due to reduced discounts on higher sales volumes and higher fixed-cost absorption on increased production. Contributing to the decline in expected operating losses for the Company are lower restructuring, exit and impairment charges, and decreased pension and bad debt expenses.  An increase in interest expense in 2010 is expected to partially offset the improvement in operating losses. Excluding the effect of any special tax items that may occur or any changes to legislation, the Company’s tax provision or benefit in 2010 will primarily be related to its state and foreign earnings or losses as the Company will continue to provide deferred tax asset valuation allowances on its anticipated domestic federal tax losses in 2010.



 
27
 

Matters Affecting Comparability

The following events have occurred during 2009, 2008 and 2007, which the Company believes affect the comparability of the results of operations:

Goodwill impairment charges. In 2008, the Company incurred $377.2 million of goodwill impairment charges. This was a result of the continued reduction in demand for certain products, along with lower-than-projected profits across certain brands, which led management to revise its future cash flow expectations in the third quarter of 2008. The revised future cash flow expectations resulted in the Company lowering its estimate of fair value of certain businesses and required the Company to take a $374.0 million pretax goodwill impairment charge during the third quarter of 2008, as prescribed by ASC 350. Additionally, impairments were recorded in the second quarter of 2008 related to the analyses of its Baja boat business and its Valley-Dynamo coin-operated commercial billiards business. There were no comparable charges recognized in 2009 or 2007. See Note 3 – Goodwill and Trade Name Impairments in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

Trade name impairment charges. In 2008, the Company recorded $133.9 million of trade name impairment charges. In conjunction with the goodwill impairment testing, the Company analyzed the valuation of its trade names in accordance with ASC 350. The analysis resulted in a pretax trade name impairment charge of $121.1 million during the third quarter of 2008, representing the excess of the carrying cost of the trade names over the calculated fair value. Additionally, impairments were recorded in the second quarter of 2008 related to analyses of its Bluewater Marine boat business (Bluewater Marine group), which previously manufactured the Sea Pro, Sea Boss, Palmetto and Laguna brands of fishing boats, and its Valley-Dynamo coin-operated commercial billiards business. This compares with a $66.4 million pretax trade name impairment charge taken in the third quarter of 2007 as a result of a valuation analysis performed on certain outboard boat company trade names. There were no comparable charges in 2009. See Note 3 – Goodwill and Trade Name Impairments in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

Restructuring, exit and impairment charges. The Company implemented initiatives to improve its cost structure, better utilize overall capacity and improve general operating efficiencies. During 2009, the Company recorded a charge of $172.5 million related to these restructuring activities as compared with $177.3 million during 2008 and $22.2 million during 2007. See Note 2 – Restructuring Activities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details. 
 
Investment sale gains. In March 2008, the Company sold its interest in its bowling joint venture in Japan for $40.4 million gross cash proceeds, $37.4 million net of cash paid for taxes and other costs. The sale resulted in a $20.9 million pretax gain, $9.9 million after-tax, and was recorded in Investment sale gains in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

In September 2008, the Company sold its investment in a foundry located in Mexico for $5.1 million gross cash proceeds. The sale resulted in a $2.1 million pretax gain and was recorded in Investment sale gains in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Tax Items. During 2009, the Company recognized a tax benefit of $98.5 million on operating losses from continuing operations of $684.7 million for an effective tax rate of 14.4 percent. In November 2009, new legislation was signed into law which included provisions allowing the Company to carryback its 2009 domestic tax losses up to five years. As a result, the Company reduced its need for tax valuation allowances by $109.5 million during 2009 related to anticipated tax refunds, which are expected to be received during the first half of 2010. Additionally, when maintaining a deferred tax asset valuation allowance in periods in which there is a pretax operating loss and pretax income in Other comprehensive income, the pretax income in Other comprehensive income is considered a source of income and reduces a corresponding portion of the valuation allowance. The reduction in the valuation allowance, as a result of Other comprehensive income, was a $29.9 million income tax benefit during 2009. The Company also filed its 2008 federal income tax return in the third quarter of 2009, which generated an additional $10.3 million income tax benefit in 2009. Partially offsetting these tax benefits was the recording of a $36.6 million tax valuation allowance in the first quarter of 2009 to reduce certain state and foreign net deferred tax assets to their anticipated realizable value. The remaining realizable value was determined by evaluating the potential to recover the value of these assets through the utilization of loss carrybacks.

During 2008, the Company recognized a tax provision of $155.9 million on operating losses from continuing operations of $632.2 million for an effective tax rate of (24.7) percent. Typically, the Company would recognize a tax benefit on operating losses; however, due to the uncertainty of the realization of certain net deferred tax assets, a provision of $338.3 million was recognized to increase the deferred tax asset valuation allowance. See Note 10 – Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details. 
 
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During 2007, the Company recognized special tax benefits of $9.8 million, primarily as a result of favorable tax reassessments and its election to apply the indefinite reversal criterion ASC 740 “Income Taxes” to the undistributed net earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries, which are intended to be permanently reinvested, as discussed in Note 10 – Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. These benefits were partially offset by expense related to changes in estimates of prior years’ tax return filings and the impact of a foreign jurisdiction tax rate reduction on the underlying net deferred tax asset.

Results of Operations

Consolidated

The following table sets forth certain amounts, ratios and relationships calculated from the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:
 
                     
2009 vs. 2008
   
2008 vs. 2007
                     
Increase/(Decrease)
   
Increase/(Decrease)
(in millions, except per share data)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
     $       %      $       %
                                             
Net sales
  $ 2,776.1     $ 4,708.7     $ 5,671.2     $ (1,932.6 )     (41.0)%     $ (962.5 )     (17.0)%
Gross margin (A)
    315.6       867.4       1,157.8       (551.8 )     (63.6)%       (290.4 )     (25.1)%
Goodwill impairment charges
          377.2             (377.2 )  
NM
      377.2    
NM
Trade name impairment charges
          133.9       66.4       (133.9 )  
NM
      67.5    
NM
Restructuring, exit and impairment charges
    172.5       177.3       22.2       (4.8 )     (2.7)%       155.1    
NM
Operating earnings (loss)
    (570.5 )     (611.6 )     107.2       41.1       6.7%       (718.8 )  
NM
Net earnings (loss) from continuing
  operations
    (586.2 )     (788.1 )     79.6       201.9       25.6%       (867.7 )  
NM
                                                       
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
  $ (6.63 )   $ (8.93 )   $ 0.88     $ 2.30    
NM
    $ (9.81 )  
NM
                                                       
Expressed as a percentage of Net sales
                                                     
Gross margin
    11.4%       18.4%       20.4%            
(700) bpts
           
(200) bpts
Selling, general and administrative expense
    22.5%       14.2%       14.5%            
830 bpts
           
(30) bpts
Research & development expense
    3.2%       2.6%       2.4%            
60 bpts
           
20 bpts
Goodwill impairment charges
    %       8.0%       —%            
(800) bpts
           
800 bpts
Trade name impairment charges
    %       2.8%       1.2%            
(280) bpts
           
160 bpts
Restructuring, exit and impairment charges
    6.2%       3.8%       0.4%            
240 bpts
           
340 bpts
Operating margin
    (20.6)%       (13.0)%       1.9%            
(760) bpts
           
NM
__________

bpts = basis points
NM = not meaningful

       (A) Gross margin is defined as Net sales less Cost of sales as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

2009 vs. 2008

The decrease in net sales was primarily due to reduced global demand for the Company’s products and services across all segments compared with 2008, most notably in the marine industry.  The continued uncertainty in the global economy and increased credit constraints have limited the Company’s retail and other customers’ purchasing power and have curtailed both retail and wholesale activity. As a result of the prolonged decline in marine retail demand and tighter credit markets, a number of the Company’s dealers have filed for bankruptcy or voluntarily ceased operations. As a result, the Company has repurchased Company product from finance companies under contractual repurchase obligations and resold the repurchased inventory to stronger dealers. If additional dealers file for bankruptcy or cease operations, the Company’s net sales and earnings may be unfavorably affected as a result of lower market coverage and the associated decline in sales.  The decline in the Marine Engine segment’s net sales was less severe than the percentage reduction in the Boat segment’s net sales for the year due to continued customer purchases in 2009 from the Marine Engine segment’s marine service, parts and accessories businesses.  Net sales in the Fitness and Bowling & Billiards segments also declined during the year as operators in these industries continue to experience reduced access to capital and remained cautious about making capital purchases.

Sales outside the United States in 2009 decreased to $1,168.7 million from $2,058.5 million in 2008, with the largest reduction in international sales coming from Europe, which decreased $506.0 million to $518.1 million.  The decrease in international sales impacted all segments at rates relatively consistent with the domestic reductions.

The Company’s gross margin percentage decreased 700 basis points in 2009 to 11.4 percent from 18.4 percent in 2008. The decrease was primarily due to lower fixed-cost absorption and inefficiencies due to reduced production rates, as a result of the Company’s efforts to achieve appropriate levels of marine customer pipeline inventories in light of lower retail demand, as well as higher pension expense, variable compensation expense and increased dealer incentive programs as a percentage of sales. The decrease in gross margin percentage was partially offset by successful cost reduction efforts.
 
 
29
Selling, general and administrative expense decreased by $43.3 million to $625.1 million in 2009. The decrease was primarily driven by successful cost reduction initiatives, which were partially offset by higher variable compensation, pension and bad debt expense. 
 
During 2009, the Company did not incur impairment charges related to its goodwill and trade names. In 2008, the Company incurred $511.1 million of impairment charges related to its goodwill and trade names. See Note 3 – Goodwill and Trade Name Impairments in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

During 2009, the Company continued its restructuring activities, which included reducing the Company’s global workforce, consolidating manufacturing operations and disposing of non-strategic assets.  During the third quarter of 2009, the Company announced plans to consolidate engine production by transferring sterndrive engine manufacturing operations from its Stillwater, Oklahoma plant to its Fond du Lac, Wisconsin plant, which currently produces the Company’s outboard engines.  This plant consolidation effort is expected to continue through 2011.  In connection with this action, the Company’s hourly union workforce in Fond du Lac ratified a new collective bargaining agreement in August 2009, which resulted in net restructuring charges as a result of changes to employees’ current and postretirement benefits.  The Company continued to consolidate the Boat segment’s manufacturing footprint in 2009 and began marketing for sale certain previously closed boat production facilities in the fourth quarter of 2009, including the previously mothballed plant in Navassa, North Carolina. See Note 2 – Restructuring Activities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

The decrease in operating loss was mainly due to the absence of goodwill and trade name impairment charges in 2009 and successful cost reduction efforts, partially offset by reduced sales volumes, along with lower fixed-cost absorption and the absence of variable compensation and defined contribution accruals in 2008.

Equity earnings (loss) decreased $22.2 million to a loss of $15.7 million in 2009. The decrease in equity earnings was mainly the result of lower earnings from the Company’s marine joint ventures.

In 2009, the Company did not sell any investments.  During 2008, Brunswick sold its interest in its bowling joint venture in Japan for $40.4 million gross cash proceeds and its investment in a foundry located in Mexico for $5.1 million gross cash proceeds. These sales resulted in $23.0 million of pretax gains.

Interest expense increased $31.9 million to $86.1 million in 2009 compared with 2008, primarily as a result of higher interest rates combined with higher average outstanding debt levels. In August 2009, the Company issued $350 million of notes due in 2016 to fund the retirement of $150 million of notes due in 2011 and a portion of notes due in 2013, as described in Note 14 – Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  In connection with the repurchase of the 2013 notes, the Company recognized a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $13.1 million, while there was no comparable charge in 2008. Interest income decreased $3.5 million to $3.2 million in 2009 compared with 2008, primarily as a result of lower rates earned on invested balances during 2009.

During 2009, the Company recognized a tax benefit of $98.5 million on operating losses from continuing operations of $684.7 million for an effective tax rate of 14.4 percent. In November 2009, new legislation was signed into law which included provisions allowing the Company to carryback its 2009 domestic tax losses up to five years. As a result, the Company reduced its need for tax valuation allowances by $109.5 million during 2009 related to anticipated tax refunds, which are expected to be received during the first half of 2010. Additionally, when maintaining a deferred tax asset valuation allowance in periods in which there is a pretax operating loss and pretax income in Other comprehensive income, the pretax income in Other comprehensive income is considered a source of income and reduces a corresponding portion of the valuation allowance. The reduction in the valuation allowance, as a result of Other comprehensive income, was a $29.9 million income tax benefit during 2009. The Company also filed its 2008 federal income tax return in the third quarter of 2009, which generated a $10.3 million income tax benefit in 2009. Partially offsetting these tax benefits was the recording of a $36.6 million tax valuation allowance in the first quarter of 2009 to reduce certain state and foreign net deferred tax assets to their anticipated realizable value. The remaining realizable value was determined by evaluating the potential to recover the value of these assets through the utilization of loss carrybacks.

During 2008, the Company recognized a tax provision of $155.9 million on operating losses from continuing operations of $632.2 million for an effective tax rate of (24.7) percent. Typically, the Company would recognize a tax benefit on operating losses; however, due to the uncertainty of the realization of certain net deferred tax assets, a provision of $338.3 million was recognized to increase the deferred tax asset valuation allowance. See Note 10 – Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

30
Net loss from continuing operations and Diluted loss per share were lower in 2009 when compared with 2008, primarily due to the same factors discussed above in operating loss and interest expense.

Weighted average common shares outstanding used to calculate Diluted earnings (loss) per share increased to 88.4 million in 2009 from 88.3 million in 2008. No shares were repurchased during 2009 or 2008.

2008 vs. 2007

The decrease in net sales was primarily due to reduced marine industry demand compared with 2007 as a result of uncertainty in the global economy and the related contraction of liquidity in global credit markets.

Although net sales in 2008 were down 17 percent from 2007, the Company saw strong sales of commercial fitness equipment and bowling products and experienced increases in revenue from Brunswick Zone XL centers.

Sales outside the United States increased $42.1 million to $2,058.5 million in 2008, with the largest increase coming from the Latin America region, which increased $51.2 million to $247.8 million, and the Africa & Middle East region, which increased $23.7 million to $121.8 million. The total growth outside the United States was largely attributable to higher sales from the Boat, Bowling & Billiards and Fitness segments.

Brunswick’s gross margin percentage decreased 200 basis points in 2008 to 18.4 percent from 20.4 percent in 2007. The decrease was primarily due to lower fixed-cost absorption and inefficiencies due to reduced production rates, as a result of the Company’s efforts to achieve appropriate levels of marine customer pipeline inventories in light of lower retail demand, and higher raw material and component costs. This decrease was partially offset by price increases at certain businesses, successful cost-reduction efforts and lower variable compensation expense.

Operating expenses decreased by $171.4 million to $790.6 million in 2008. The decrease was primarily driven by successful cost reduction initiatives and lower variable compensation expense, but was partially offset by the effect of unfavorable foreign currency translation.

During 2008, the Company incurred $511.1 million of impairment charges related to its goodwill and trade names. These charges compare with the $66.4 million impairment charge taken on certain trade names during the comparable 2007 period. See Note 3 – Goodwill and Trade Name Impairments in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

During 2008, the Company announced additional restructuring activities including the closing of its bowling pin manufacturing facility in Antigo, Wisconsin; closing of its boat plant in Bucyrus, Ohio, in connection with the divestiture of its Baja boat business; closing of its Swansboro, North Carolina boat plant; closing of its production facility in Newberry, South Carolina; the cessation of boat manufacturing at one of its facilities in Merritt Island, Florida; the write-down of certain assets of the Valley-Dynamo coin-operated commercial billiards business; the closing of its production facilities in Pipestone, Minnesota; Roseburg, Oregon; and Arlington, Washington; mothballing its Navassa, North Carolina boat plant; and the reduction of its employee workforce across the Company. See Note 2 – Restructuring Activities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

The decrease in operating earnings when compared with 2007 was mainly due to reduced sales volumes, along with lower fixed-cost absorption, goodwill and trade name impairments taken during 2008 and the restructuring activities discussed above.

Equity earnings decreased $14.8 million to $6.5 million in 2008. The decrease in equity earnings was mainly the result of lower earnings from the Company’s marine joint ventures and the absence of earnings from its bowling joint venture in Japan, which was sold in the first quarter of 2008.

During 2008, Brunswick sold its interest in its bowling joint venture in Japan for $40.4 million gross cash proceeds and its investment in a foundry located in Mexico for $5.1 million gross cash proceeds. These sales resulted in $23.0 million of pretax gains.

The decrease in Other income (expense), net was due to the absence of a legal claim settlement against a third-party service provider in 2007. The 2007 settlement resulted in $7.1 million of income, net of legal fees, and was reflected in Other income (expense), net.

31
Interest expense increased $1.9 million to $54.2 million in 2008 compared with 2007, primarily as a result of higher interest rates on outstanding debt. In July 2008, the Company issued $250 million of notes due in 2013 to fund the maturity of $250 million of notes due in July 2009, as described in Note 14 – Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Interest income decreased $2.0 million to $6.7 million in 2008, compared with 2007, primarily as a result of lower invested balances during 2008.

During 2008, the Company recognized a tax provision of $155.9 million on operating losses from continuing operations of $632.2 million for an effective tax rate of (24.7) percent. Typically, the Company would recognize a tax benefit on operating losses; however, due to the uncertainty of the realization of certain net deferred tax assets, a provision of $338.3 million was recognized to increase the deferred tax asset valuation allowance. See Note 10 – Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

In 2007, the Company’s effective tax rate of 14.1 percent was lower than the statutory rate primarily due to benefits from $12.7 million related to reassessments of the deductibility of restructuring reserves and depreciation timing differences; foreign earnings in tax jurisdictions with lower effective tax rates; and a research and development tax credit. These benefits were partially offset by $3.8 million of additional taxes related to changes in estimates related to prior year’s filings, as discussed in Note 10 – Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Net earnings and diluted earnings per share decreased primarily due to the same factors discussed above affecting operating earnings.

Weighted average common shares outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per share decreased to 88.3 million in 2008 from 90.2 million in 2007. Although no shares were repurchased during 2008, the average outstanding shares in 2007 did not fully reflect the effect of the 4.1 million shares repurchased in 2007, as discussed in Note 19 – Share Repurchase Program in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

There was no activity related to discontinued operations in 2008 as the disposition was completed during 2007.


 
32
 

Segments

The Company operates in four reportable segments: Marine Engine, Boat, Fitness and Bowling & Billiards.  Refer to Note 5 – Segment Information in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for details on the operations of these segments.

Marine Engine Segment

The following table sets forth Marine Engine segment results for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:

                     
2009 vs. 2008
   
2008 vs. 2007
                     
Increase/(Decrease)
   
Increase/(Decrease)
(in millions)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
     $       %      $       %
                                             
Net sales
  $ 1,425.0     $ 2,207.6     $ 2,639.5     $ (782.6 )     (35.5)%     $ (431.9 )     (16.4)%
Trade name impairment charges
  $     $ 4.5     $     $ (4.5 )  
NM
    $ 4.5    
NM
Restructuring, exit and impairment charges
  $ 48.3     $ 32.4     $ 4.8     $ 15.9       49.1%     $ 27.6    
NM
Operating earnings (loss)
  $ (131.2 )   $ 69.9     $ 195.8     $ (201.1 )  
NM
    $ (125.9 )     (64.3)%
Operating margin
    (9.2) %     3.2 %     7.4          
NM
           
(420) bpts
Capital expenditures
  $ 12.3     $ 23.5     $ 58.0     $ (11.2 )     (47.7)%     $ (34.5 )     (59.5)%
__________

bpts = basis points
NM = not meaningful
 
 
2009 vs. 2008

Net sales recorded by the Marine Engine segment decreased compared with 2008, primarily due to the continued reduction in global marine retail demand and the corresponding decline in wholesale shipments. Despite the poor economic climate, sales in the segment’s domestic marine service, parts and accessories businesses, which represented 31 percent of the total segment sales for 2009, only experienced a single digit percentage decline in sales when compared with 2008.

As a result of its impairment analysis of goodwill and trade names, Brunswick incurred trade name charges within the Marine Engine segment during 2008. There were no comparable charges in 2009. See Note 3 – Goodwill and Trade Name Impairments in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

During 2009, the Marine Engine segment recognized restructuring, exit and impairment charges primarily related to severance charges and other restructuring activities initiated in 2009 and 2008.  These charges increased by $15.9 million compared to 2008, primarily due to additional restructuring initiatives, including the announcement of the consolidation of marine sterndrive engine production in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The restructuring, exit and impairment charges recognized during 2008 were primarily related to severance charges and other restructuring activities initiated in 2008 and included $19.3 million of gains recognized on the sales of non-strategic assets. See Note 2 – Restructuring Activities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

Marine Engine segment operating earnings (loss) decreased in 2009 as a result of lower sales volumes, reduced fixed-cost absorption on lower production, higher restructuring, exit and impairment charges associated with the Company’s initiatives to reduce costs across all business units and higher pension and bad debt expense. Lower fixed-cost absorption was caused by the Company’s continued efforts to reduce inventory by reducing production rates by approximately 43 percent compared with 2008. These additional costs were partially offset by the savings from successful cost-reduction initiatives and favorable settlements reached during the year.

Capital expenditures in 2009 and 2008 were primarily related to profit-maintaining investments and were lower during 2009 as a result of discretionary capital spending constraints.


 
33
 

2008 vs. 2007

Net sales recorded by the Marine Engine segment decreased compared with 2007, primarily due to the Company’s reduction in wholesale shipments in response to reduced marine retail demand in the United States. In addition to the weak retail demand in the United States, the contraction of liquidity in global credit markets in the second half of 2008 also led to lower net sales outside the United States in 2008.

As a result of its impairment analysis of goodwill and trade names, Brunswick incurred trade name charges within the Marine Engine segment during 2008. See Note 3 – Goodwill and Trade Name Impairments in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

The restructuring, exit and impairment charges recognized during 2008 were primarily related to severance charges and other restructuring activities initiated in 2008 and include $19.3 million of gains recognized on the sales of non-strategic assets. See Note 2 – Restructuring Activities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

Marine Engine segment operating earnings decreased in 2008 when compared with 2007 as a result of lower sales volumes; restructuring, exit and impairment charges associated with the Company’s initiatives to reduce costs across all business units; and trade name impairment charges. Additionally, lower fixed-cost absorption and an increased concentration of sales in lower-margin products contributed to the decline in operating earnings. This decrease was partially offset by the savings from successful cost-reduction initiatives and lower variable compensation expense.

Capital expenditures in 2008 and 2007 were primarily related to the continued investments in new products but were lower during 2008 as a result of discretionary capital spending constraints.

 
34
 

Boat Segment

The following table sets forth Boat segment results for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:

                     
2009 vs. 2008
   
2008 vs. 2007
 
                     
Increase/(Decrease)
   
Increase/(Decrease)
 
(in millions)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
     $       %      $       %  
                                               
Net sales
  $ 615.7     $ 1,719.5     $ 2,367.5     $ (1,103.8 )     (64.2)%     $ (648.0 )     (27.4)%  
Goodwill impairment charges
  $     $ 362.8     $     $ (362.8 )  
NM
    $ 362.8    
NM
 
Trade name impairment charges
  $     $ 120.9     $ 66.4     $ (120.9 )  
NM
    $ 54.5       82.1%  
Restructuring, exit and
  impairment charges
  $ 107.8     $ 98.7     $ 14.5     $ 9.1       9.2%     $ 84.2    
NM
 
Operating loss
  $ (398.5 )   $ (655.3 )   $ (93.5 )   $ 256.8       39.2%     $ (561.8 )  
NM
 
Operating margin
    (64.7) %     (38.1) %     (3.9) %          
NM
           
NM
 
Capital expenditures
  $ 15.5     $ 40.8     $ 91.7     $ (25.3 )     (62.0)%     $ (50.9 )     (55.5)%  
__________

bpts = basis points
NM = not meaningful

2009 vs. 2008

The decrease in Boat segment net sales was largely the result of the continued reduction in marine retail demand in global markets and lower shipments to dealers in an effort to achieve appropriate levels of pipeline inventories, as well as higher dealer incentive programs and sales discounts. Weak retail market conditions, paired with the Company’s objective of protecting its dealer network by selling fewer units at wholesale than are being sold by the dealers at retail, resulted in approximately 50 percent fewer unit sales when compared to 2008.

No goodwill and trade name impairment charges were recognized in 2009.  This compares to the goodwill and trade name impairment charges in 2008, which were primarily the result of its impairment analysis performed during the third quarter of 2008. See Note 3 – Goodwill and Trade Name Impairments in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

The restructuring, exit and impairment charges recognized during 2009 were primarily related to asset impairments, additional programs to realign the Company’s boat manufacturing footprint and other restructuring activities initiated in both 2008 and 2009. Asset impairments recorded in 2009 primarily relate to writing down the carrying value of several previously closed boat production facilities to their fair value as these properties were marketed for sale, the largest of which relates to the previously mothballed plants in Navassa and Swansboro, North Carolina, and the Riverview plant in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Company also recorded impairments during 2009 on tooling, its Cape Canaveral, Florida property and on a marina in St. Petersburg, Florida, to record these assets at their fair value. Refer to Note 2 – Restructuring Activities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

The Boat segment’s operating loss decreased from 2008, primarily due to the absence of goodwill and trade name impairment charges that were taken in 2008, as well as savings from successful cost-reduction initiatives.  This decrease was partially offset by a decrease in sales volume, lower fixed-cost absorption, higher dealer incentive programs and sales discounts, the absence of variable compensation and defined contribution accruals in 2008, and increased restructuring, exit and impairment charges.

Capital expenditures in 2009 were largely attributable to tooling costs for the production of new models and profit maintaining capital. Capital spending was lower during 2009 as a result of discretionary capital spending constraints and a smaller manufacturing footprint.

2008 vs. 2007

The decrease in Boat segment net sales was largely attributable to the effect of reduced marine retail demand in U.S. markets and lower shipments to dealers in an effort to achieve appropriate levels of pipeline inventories. In addition to the weak retail demand, the contraction of liquidity in global credit markets led to lower net sales in 2008.
 
 
35
The goodwill and trade name impairment charges in 2008 were primarily the result of the Company’s impairment analysis performed during the third quarter of 2008, which determined that the carrying value of goodwill and trade names exceeded the calculated fair value. The remaining charges in 2008 were the result of the Company’s decision to exit certain businesses. See Note 3 – Goodwill and Trade Name Impairments in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on the 2008 charges, as well as the $66.4 million pretax impairment charge taken on certain indefinite-lived intangible assets in 2007.

During 2008, the Boat segment continued its restructuring initiatives as described in Note 2 – Restructuring Activities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain significant actions taken at the Boat segment included the sale of certain assets of its Baja boat business (Baja), the cessation of production of Bluewater Marine group boat brands and the closure of several of its US Marine production facilities, as described below.

During the second quarter of 2008, the Company sold certain assets of Baja to Fountain Powerboat Industries, Inc. (Fountain). The transaction was aimed at further refining the Company’s product portfolio and focusing its resources on brands and marine segments that were considered to be core to the Company’s future success. The total costs of the Baja transaction were approximately $15 million, all of which were incurred during 2008. The majority of the $15 million charge consisted of asset write-downs related to selected assets sold to Fountain and the residual assets sold to third parties.

During the second quarter of 2008, the Company ceased production of boats for its Bluewater Marine group, including the Sea Pro, Sea Boss, Palmetto and Laguna brands, which were manufactured at its Newberry, South Carolina facility. The total costs of the Bluewater cessation were approximately $24 million, all of which were incurred during 2008. The $24 million charge primarily consisted of asset write-downs related to the disposition of selected assets.

During the second half of 2008, the Company closed several of its US Marine production facilities, which produced Bayliner, Maxum and Trophy boats and Meridian yachts, in an effort to continue to consolidate its manufacturing footprint. The Company incurred approximately $26 million in costs related to these closures in 2008. The majority of the costs represented asset write-downs related to the disposition of selected assets and severance charges.

Boat segment operating earnings in 2008 decreased from 2007, primarily due to goodwill and trade name impairment charges, a decrease in sales volume and increased restructuring, exit and impairment charges. Additionally, lower fixed-cost absorption and increased inventory repurchase obligation accruals contributed to the decline in operating earnings. This decrease was partially offset by savings from successful cost-reduction initiatives and lower variable compensation expense.

Capital expenditures in 2008 were largely attributable to tooling costs for the production of new models. Capital spending was lower during 2008 as a result of discretionary capital spending constraints and the acquisition of a boat manufacturing facility in 2007.




 
36
 

Fitness Segment

The following table sets forth Fitness segment results for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:

                     
2009 vs. 2008
   
2008 vs. 2007
 
                     
Increase/(Decrease)
   
Increase/(Decrease)
 
(in millions)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
     $       %      $       %  
                                               
Net sales
  $ 496.8     $ 639.5     $ 653.7     $ (142.7 )     (22.3)%     $ (14.2 )     (2.2)%  
Restructuring, exit and impairment charges
  $ 2.1     $ 3.3     $     $ (1.2 )     (36.4)%     $ 3.3    
NM
 
Operating earnings
  $ 33.5     $ 52.2     $ 59.7     $ (18.7 )     (35.8)%     $ (7.5 )     (12.6)%  
Operating margin
    6.7 %     8.2     9.1          
(150) bpts
           
(90) bpts
 
Capital expenditures
  $ 2.2     $ 4.5     $ 11.8     $ (2.3 )     (51.1)%     $ (7.3 )     (61.9)%  
__________

bpts = basis points
NM = not meaningful

2009 vs. 2008

The decrease in Fitness segment net sales was largely attributable to reduced volume of worldwide commercial equipment sales, as gym and fitness club operators delayed purchasing new equipment and deferred building new fitness centers as a result of general economic weakness and reduced credit availability. Commercial and consumer equipment sales in the United States and Canada declined approximately 23 percent compared to 2008, while other international sales decreased approximately 20 percent.

The restructuring, exit and impairment charges recognized during 2009 are primarily employee severance and other benefits charges. Restructuring, exit and impairment charges recorded during 2008 included asset write-downs and employee severance and other benefits charges. See Note 2 – Restructuring Activities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

The Fitness segment operating earnings were negatively affected in 2009 by lower worldwide sales volumes of both commercial equipment and consumer equipment as well as the absence of variable compensation and defined contribution accruals in 2008. Operating earnings were favorably impacted by the savings from successful cost-reduction measures and reduced restructuring, exit and impairment charges. 
 
2009 capital expenditures were primarily related to profit-maintaining investments and were lower compared to 2008 as a result of discretionary capital spending constraints.

2008 vs. 2007

The decrease in Fitness segment net sales was largely attributable to volume declines in consumer equipment sales in the United States, as individuals continued to defer purchasing discretionary items. Competitive pricing pressures in global markets also contributed to the sales decline in 2008. These decreases were partially offset by sales of the recently introduced Elevation line of new cardiovascular products.

The restructuring, exit and impairment charges recognized during 2008 were related to write-downs of non-strategic assets and severance charges. See Note 2 – Restructuring Activities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

The Fitness segment operating earnings were adversely affected by lower sales of consumer equipment in the United States, competitive pricing pressures, increases in raw material and fuel costs and the implementation of various restructuring activities. Operating earnings benefited from successful cost-reduction initiatives and lower variable compensation expense.

2008 capital expenditures were primarily related to tooling for new products, but were lower during 2008 as a result of the substantial completion of the Elevation series of cardiovascular equipment in early 2008.


 
37
 

Bowling & Billiards Segment

The following table sets forth Bowling & Billiards segment results for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:

                     
2009 vs. 2008
   
2008 vs. 2007
 
                     
Increase/(Decrease)
   
Increase/(Decrease)
 
(in millions)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
     $       %      $       %  
                                               
Net sales
  $ 337.0     $ 448.3     $ 446.9     $ (111.3 )     (24.8)%     $ 1.4       0.3%  
Goodwill impairment charges
  $     $ 14.4     $     $ (14.4 )  
NM
    $ 14.4    
NM
 
Trade name impairment charges
  $     $ 8.5     $     $ (8.5 )  
NM
    $ 8.5    
NM
 
Restructuring, exit and impairment charges
  $ 5.3     $ 21.7     $ 2.8     $ (16.4 )     (75.6)%     $ 18.9    
NM
 
Operating earnings (loss)
  $ 3.1     $ (12.7 )   $ 16.5     $ 15.8    
NM
    $ (29.2 )  
NM
 
Operating margin
    0.9  %     (2.8 )%     3.7 %          
370 bpts
           
(650) bpts
 
Capital expenditures
  $ 3.3     $ 26.9     $ 41.6     $ (23.6 )     (87.7)%     $ (14.7 )     (35.3)%  
__________

bpts = basis points
NM = not meaningful


2009 vs. 2008

Bowling & Billiards segment net sales were down from prior year levels, primarily as a result of lower sales from its Bowling Products business as new center developments and upgrades to existing centers were delayed by proprietors due to weak economic conditions and reduced access to capital.  Bowling retail sales were also reduced during the year due to the loss of sales from divested centers and lower sales from existing centers.  Equivalent bowling center sales decreased in mid-single digit percentages.  Net sales were also reduced due to the sale of the Valley-Dynamo business in early 2009.

The goodwill and trade name impairment charges in 2008 were primarily the result of the Company’s impairment analysis performed during the third quarter of 2008. The remaining charges related to the Valley-Dynamo business. There were no comparable charges in 2009. See Note 3 – Goodwill and Trade Name Impairments in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

During 2009, Brunswick continued its restructuring initiatives as described in Note 2 – Restructuring Activities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company completed the sale of its Valley-Dynamo coin-operated commercial billiards business in 2009. The Company incurred approximately $4 million and $19 million of costs related to the sale of the Valley-Dynamo business in 2009 and 2008, respectively. The majority of these charges related to asset write-downs. The Company also incurred costs in 2008 related to the closing of its bowling pin manufacturing facility in Antigo, Wisconsin.

The increase in 2009 operating earnings (loss) was the result of the absence of $14.4 million and $8.5 million of goodwill and trade name impairment charges, respectively, reduced restructuring, exit and impairment charges, as well as savings from successful cost-reduction initiatives. These factors were partially offset by the effect of lower sales, higher pension expense and the absence of variable compensation and defined contribution accruals in 2008.

Decreased capital expenditures in 2009 were driven primarily by reduced spending for new Brunswick Zone XL centers and constraints on capital spending for existing centers.

 
 
38
 

2008 vs. 2007

Bowling & Billiards segment net sales were up from prior year levels, primarily as a result of sales associated with Brunswick Zone XL centers opened during 2007 and 2008 and stronger capital equipment sales. Mostly offsetting this increase was a decline in equivalent bowling retail entertainment center sales as well as volume declines in consumer and commercial billiards tables.

The goodwill and trade name impairment charges in 2008 were primarily the result of the Company’s impairment analysis performed during the third quarter of 2008. The remaining charges related to the Valley-Dynamo business. See Note 3 – Goodwill and Trade Name Impairments in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

During 2008, Brunswick continued its restructuring initiatives as described in Note 2 – Restructuring Activities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company evaluated several strategic options, including the potential sale of its Valley-Dynamo coin-operated commercial billiards business. The Company incurred approximately $19 million of costs in 2008 related to the potential sale, which primarily related to asset write-downs. The Company also incurred costs in 2008 related to the closing of its bowling pin manufacturing facility in Antigo, Wisconsin.

The decrease in 2008 operating earnings when compared with 2007 was attributable to goodwill and trade name impairment charges, restructuring, exit and impairment charges as well as the impact of lower sales of consumer and commercial billiards tables and lower non-Brunswick Zone XL bowling retail entertainment sales. Partially offsetting this decrease was the impact of increased capital equipment sales, improved efficiency at the Reynosa, Mexico bowling ball manufacturing facility, savings from successful cost-reduction initiatives and the full year impact of recently opened Brunswick Zone XL centers.

Decreased capital expenditures in 2008 were driven primarily by reduced spending for Brunswick Zone XL centers, as the Company had more centers under construction during 2007 compared with 2008.

Corporate 
 
The following table sets forth charges for restructuring activities undertaken at Corporate for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:

                     
2009 vs. 2008
   
2008 vs. 2007
 
                     
Increase/(Decrease)
   
Increase/(Decrease)
 
(in millions)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
     $       %      $     %    
                                               
Restructuring, exit and impairment charges
  $ 9.0     $ 21.2     $ 0.1     $ (12.2 )     (57.5 )%   $ 21.1    
NM
 
__________

NM = not meaningful

The restructuring, exit and impairment charges recognized during 2009 and 2008 were related to write-downs and disposals of non-strategic assets and severance charges. See Note 2 – Restructuring Activities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

 
39
 

Cash Flow, Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table sets forth an analysis of free cash flow for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:

(in millions)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                   
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities of continuing operations
  $ 125.5     $ (12.1 )   $ 344.1  
Net cash provided by (used for):
                       
  Capital expenditures
    (33.3 )     (102.0 )     (207.7 )
  Proceeds from investment sales
          45.5        
  Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment
    13.0       28.3       10.1  
  Other, net
    1.8       17.2       25.6  
                         
Free cash flow from continuing operations (A)
  $ 107.0     $ (23.1 )   $ 172.1  
 
(A)
The Company defines Free cash flow from continuing operations as cash flow from operating and investing activities of continuing operations (excluding cash used for acquisitions and investments) and excluding financing activities. Free cash flow from continuing operations is not intended as an alternative measure of cash flow from operations, as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States. The Company uses this financial measure, both in presenting its results to shareholders and the investment community and in its internal evaluation and management of its businesses. Management believes that this financial measure and the information it provides are useful to investors because it permits investors to view the Company’s performance using the same tool that management uses to gauge progress in achieving its goals. Management believes that the non-GAAP financial measure “Free cash flow from continuing operations” is also useful to investors because it is an indication of cash flow that may be available to fund investments in future growth initiatives.

Brunswick’s major sources of funds for investments, acquisitions and dividend payments are cash generated from operating activities, available cash balances and selected borrowings. The Company evaluates potential acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures in the ordinary course of business.
 
2009 Cash Flow
 
In 2009, net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations totaled $125.5 million.  The most significant source of cash provided by operating activities was from a reduction in working capital of $400.8 million.  Working capital is defined as non-cash current assets less non-debt current liabilities.  Inventory balances changed favorably by $325.1 million, primarily due to decreased production and procurement across the Company, especially in the Marine Engine and Boat segments, which produced less inventory than was sold at wholesale.  Additionally, favorable changes in accounts receivable of $159.9 million resulted from lower sales and continued collection activities of outstanding receivables.  Accrued expenses and accounts payable were an unfavorable change to working capital of $56.8 million and $39.9 million, respectively, primarily as a result of the reduced level of the Company’s business activities in 2009 compared with 2008.  The Company also received net tax refunds of $90.6 million during the year, primarily related to its 2008 taxable losses.  Partially offsetting these factors were the Company’s net loss from operations adjusted for non-cash charges and the Company’s repurchase of $84.2 million of accounts receivable from Brunswick Acceptance Company, LLC in May 2009, as part of its new asset-based lending facility (Mercury Receivable ABL Facility).  See Note 9 – Financial Services and Note 14 – Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more details on the Company’s sale of accounts receivable program and Mercury Receivables ABL Facility, respectively.
 
In 2009, net cash used for investing activities totaled $12.3 million, which included capital expenditures of $33.3 million.  The Company has significantly reduced its capital spending since 2007 by focusing on non-discretionary, profit-maintaining investments and investments required for the introduction of new products. Cash provided from investments primarily represented a return on the Company’s investment in its Brunswick Acceptance Company, LLC joint venture.  The Company also received $13.0 million of proceeds during the year from the sale of property, plant and equipment in the normal course of business.
 
Cash flows from financing activities provided net cash of $95.9 million in 2009.  The cash inflow was primarily the result of issuing $350.0 million of notes due in 2016 to pay down substantially all of the Company’s notes due in 2011 and a portion of notes due in 2013.  The Company received net proceeds of $353.7 million during 2009, primarily from the issuance of the 2016 notes and another $20.0 million from the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Council in the form of partially forgivable debt associated with the Company’s efforts to consolidate its Marine Engine segment’s engine production facilities in its Fond du Lac, Wisconsin plant. As discussed above, the Company made payments on it long-term debt in 2009 of $247.9 million, primarily related to the retirement of 2011 and 2013 notes, and also paid a premium of $13.2 million to repurchase a portion of the Company’s outstanding 2013 notes. See Note 14 – Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

 
40
 

 
2008 Cash Flow
 
In 2008, net cash used for operating activities of continuing operations totaled $12.1 million.  The primary driver of the cash used for operating activities was from an increase in working capital of $132.3 million.  The 2008 increase in working capital was primarily the result of reductions in the Company’s accounts payable and accrued expenses relating to the reduced level of production activity, largely in the Marine Engine and Boat segments, and lower accrued discounts. These declines were partially offset by lower inventories and lower trade receivables, which were driven by reduced demand for the Company’s marine products.  Partially offsetting the changes in working capital were the Company’s operating results, which provided cash during 2008 after adjusting the net loss on continuing operations for non-cash charges such as goodwill, trade name and other long-lived asset impairments, charges associated with recording additional tax valuation allowances and adding back depreciation and amortization.
 
Cash provided by investing activities totaled $9.0 million in 2008.  The Company received $45.5 million in proceeds from the sale of its interest in its bowling joint venture in Japan and its investment in a foundry located in Mexico; $20.0 million primarily from reduced equity requirements associated with the Company’s investment in its Brunswick Acceptance Company, LLC joint venture; $17.2 million of proceeds primarily from the sale of MotoTron and Albemarle; and $28.3 million from the sale of property, plant and equipment in the normal course of business.  Offsetting these proceeds was $102.0 million in capital expenditures.  The Company significantly reduced its capital spending from 2007 levels by limiting its discretionary purchases and focusing on profit-maintaining investments and investments required for the introduction of new products.
 
The Company used $10.8 million of net cash in its financing activities during 2008, reflecting net issuances of short-term debt of $7.4 million and a $4.4 million dividend payment.  The Company also issued $250 million of notes due in 2013 to retire the $250 million of notes due in 2009.
 
2007 Cash Flow
 
In 2007, net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations totaled $344.1 million.  The primary driver was cash provided by the Company’s operating results adjusted for non-cash charges.  Changes in working capital amounted to a use of cash of $7.2 million during the year.  Cash used in investing activities during 2007 was $207.7 million and was primarily related to capital expenditures.
 
The Company used $167.8 million of net cash for financing activities during 2007.  The primary uses of cash included the Company repurchasing 4.1 million shares for $125.8 million under its share repurchase program, and the payment of a $52.6 million dividend in 2007.  Partially offsetting this was the receipt of $10.8 million from stock options exercised during the year.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table sets forth an analysis of net debt for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008:

(in millions)
 
2009
   
2008
 
             
Short-term debt, including current maturities of long-term debt
  $ 11.5     $ 3.2  
Long-term debt
    839.4       728.5  
     Total debt
    850.9       731.7  
Less: Cash and cash equivalents
    526.6       317.5  
                 
Net debt (A)
  $ 324.3     $ 414.2  
 
(A)  
The Company defines Net debt as Short-term and long-term Debt, less Cash and cash equivalents, as presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Net debt is not intended as an alternative measure to debt, as determined in accordance with GAAP in the United States. The Company uses this financial measure, both in presenting its results to shareholders and the investment community and in its internal evaluation and management of its businesses. Management believes that this financial measure and the information it provides are useful to investors because it permits investors to view the Company’s performance using the same tool that management uses to gauge progress in achieving its goals. Management believes that the non-GAAP financial measure “Net debt” is also useful to investors because it is an indication of the Company’s ability to repay its outstanding debt using its current Cash and cash equivalents.

 
 
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The following table sets forth an analysis of total liquidity for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008:

(in millions)
 
2009
   
2008
 
             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 526.6     $ 317.5  
Amounts available under its asset-based lending facilities (B)
    88.5       201.1  
                 
Total liquidity (A)
  $ 615.1     $ 518.6  

 
(A) 
The Company defines Total liquidity as Cash and cash equivalents as presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, plus amounts available under its asset-based lending facilities. Total liquidity is not intended as an alternative measure to Cash and cash equivalents, as determined in accordance with GAAP in the United States. The Company uses this financial measure, both in presenting its results to shareholders and the investment community and in its internal evaluation and management of its businesses. Management believes that this financial measure and the information it provides are useful to investors because it permits investors to view the Company’s performance using the same tool that management uses to gauge progress in achieving its goals. Management believes that the non-GAAP financial measure “Total liquidity” is also useful to investors because it is an indication of the Company’s available highly liquid assets and immediate sources of financing.

(B) 
Represents the sum of (1) $106.2 million of unused brrowing capacity underthe Company's Revolving Credit Facility discussed below, reduced by the $60.0 million minimum availability requirement and (2) the available borrowing capacity of $42.2 million under the Company's Mercury Receivables ABL Facility as discussed below.
 
Cash and cash equivalents totaled $526.6 million as of December 31, 2009, an increase of $209.1 million from $317.5 million as of December 31, 2008. Total debt as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, was $850.9 million and $731.7 million, respectively. As a result, the Company’s Net debt was reduced $89.9 million in 2009 to $324.3 million from $414.2 million in 2008. Brunswick’s debt-to-capitalization ratio increased to 80.2 percent as of December 31, 2009, from 50.1 percent as of December 31, 2008, as a result of the current year losses from continuing operations on Shareholders’ equity and increased debt levels.
 
In May 2009, the Company entered into the Mercury Receivables ABL Facility with GE Commercial Distribution Finance Corporation (GECDF) to replace the Mercury Marine accounts receivable sale program the Company had with Brunswick Acceptance Company, LLC (BAC) as described in Note 9 – Financial Services. The Mercury Receivables ABL Facility agreement provides for a base level of borrowings of $100.0 million that are secured by the domestic accounts receivable of Mercury Marine, a division of the Company, at a borrowing rate, set at the beginning of each month, equal to the one-month LIBOR rate plus 4.25 percent, provided, however, that the one-month LIBOR rate shall not be less than 1.0 percent. Borrowings under the Mercury Receivables ABL Facility can be adjusted to $120.0 million to accommodate seasonal increases in accounts receivable from May to August. Borrowing availability under this facility is subject to a borrowing base consisting of Mercury Marine domestic accounts receivable, adjusted for eligibility requirements, with an 85 percent advance rate. The Company was also able to borrow an additional $21.5 million in excess of the borrowing base according to the over-advance feature through November 2009, which is now declining ratably each month through November 2010. Borrowings under the Mercury Receivables ABL Facility are further limited to the lesser of the total amount available under the Mercury Receivables ABL Facility or the Mercury Marine receivables, excluding certain amounts, pledged as collateral against the Mercury Receivables ABL Facility. The Mercury Receivables ABL Facility also includes a financial covenant, which corresponds to the minimum fixed-charge coverage ratio covenant included in the Company’s revolving credit facility and the BAC joint venture agreement described in Note 9 – Financial Services. The Mercury Receivables ABL Facility’s term will expire concurrently with the termination of BAC, by the Company with 90 days notice or by GECDF upon the Company’s default under the Mercury Receivables ABL Facility, including failure to comply with the facility’s financial covenant. Initial borrowings under the Mercury Receivables ABL Facility were $81.1 million. The Company has since reduced the borrowings outstanding and ended 2009 with no borrowings under this facility. The amount of borrowing capacity available under this facility at December 31, 2009 was $42.2 million.
 
 The Company has a $400.0 million secured, asset-based revolving credit facility (Revolving Credit Facility) in place with a group of banks through May 2012, as described in Note 14 – Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. There were no loan borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility in 2009 or 2008. The Company has the ability to issue up to $150.0 million in letters of credit under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Company pays a facility fee of 75 to 100 basis points per annum, which is based on the daily average utilization of the Revolving Credit Facility.
 
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The Company may borrow amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility equal to the value of the borrowing base, which consists of certain accounts receivable, inventory and machinery and equipment of certain of its domestic subsidiaries. The borrowing base had a value of $191.3 million, excluding cash, as of December 31, 2009. The Company had no borrowings outstanding under this facility at December 31, 2009. Letters of credit outstanding under the facility totaled $85.0 million as of December 31, 2009, resulting in unused borrowing capacity of $106.3 million. However, the Company’s borrowing capacity is also affected by the facility’s minimum fixed-charge coverage ratio covenant. This covenant requires that the Company meet a minimum fixed-charge coverage ratio test only if unused borrowing capacity under the facility falls below $60.0 million. If unused borrowing capacity under the facility exceeds $60.0 million, the Company need not meet the minimum fixed-charge coverage ratio covenant. Due to current operating performance, the Company’s fixed-charge coverage ratio was below the minimum requirement at the end of 2009. However, because the Company’s unused borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility exceeded $60.0 million at the end of the year, the Company is in compliance with the covenant. Taking into account the minimum availability requirement, the Company’s unused borrowing capacity is effectively reduced by $60.0 million to $46.3 million in order to maintain compliance with the covenant.  The Company expects unused borrowing capacity under the facility to continue to exceed $60.0 million (and therefore to be in compliance with the minimum fixed-charge coverage ratio covenant) during 2010.
 
Management believes that the Company has adequate sources of liquidity to meet the Company’s short-term and long-term needs.  Through actions taken in 2009, the Company has reduced its near-term debt obligations, including the repayment of 99.6 percent of its notes due in 2011 and the reduction of the amounts outstanding on its 2013 notes to $153.4 million, representing the only significant long-term debt maturity from 2010 to 2015. Management expects that the Company’s near-term operating cash requirements, which have declined due to lower spending, will be met out of existing cash balances and free cash flow. Specifically, the Company is anticipating significantly reduced losses from continuing operations and restructuring activities in 2010 from increasing sales as the year progresses and plans on maintaining flat year-over-year working capital levels by increasing inventory turns, in line with historical levels, and reducing days sales outstanding in its accounts receivable. The Company also expects to receive a tax refund of $109.5 million in the first half of 2010 related to its 2009 federal domestic tax losses. The Company also plans to increase capital expenditures in 2010 to approximately $60 million to develop new products in anticipation of the slowly improving economy and to fund projects to reduce operating costs.  In 2010, the Company anticipates receiving approximately $35 million of additional funding, primarily from government programs, in connection with its plant consolidation activities in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.  Based on the factors described above, the Company believes it will end 2010 with net debt levels comparable to the end of 2009.
 
Continued weakness in the marine marketplace may jeopardize the financial stability of the Company’s dealers. Specifically, dealer inventory levels may increase to levels higher than desired, inventory may be aged beyond preferred levels and dealers may experience reduced cash flow. These factors may impair a dealer’s ability to meet payment obligations to the Company or to third-party financing sources and to obtain financing to purchase new product. If a dealer is unable to meet its obligations to third-party financing sources, Brunswick may be required to repurchase a portion of its own products from these third-party financing sources. See Note 11 – Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.
 
The aggregate funded status of the Company’s qualified pension plans, measured as a percentage of the projected benefit obligation, was 62.0 percent in 2009 compared to 63.2 percent in 2008. As of December 31, 2009, the Company’s qualified pension plans were underfunded on an aggregate projected benefit obligation basis by $418.7 million. See Note 15 – Postretirement Benefits in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more details.
 
The Company contributed $10.0 million to its qualified pension plans in 2009. No contributions were required to be made to the Company’s qualified pension plans in 2008. The Company also contributed $11.6 million and $2.6 million to fund benefit payments in its nonqualified pension plan in 2009 and 2008, respectively. The 2009 contribution included an $8.5 million lump sum distribution to a former executive for benefits earned in the nonqualified pension plan. The Company anticipates contributing approximately $22 million to fund the qualified pension plans and approximately $3 million to cover benefit payments in the unfunded, nonqualified pension plans in 2010. Company contributions are subject to change based on market conditions, pension funding regulations and Company discretion.

Financial Services

The Company, through its Brunswick Financial Services Corporation (BFS) subsidiary, owns a 49 percent interest in a joint venture, Brunswick Acceptance Company, LLC (BAC). CDF Ventures, LLC (CDFV), a subsidiary of GE Capital Corporation (GECC), owns the remaining 51 percent. BAC commenced operations in 2003 and provides secured wholesale inventory floor-plan financing to Brunswick’s boat and engine dealers. BAC also purchased and serviced a portion of Mercury Marine’s domestic accounts receivable relating to its boat builder and dealer customers. In 2009, this program was terminated and replaced with a new facility discussed below and in Note 14 – Debt.

The term of the joint venture extends through June 30, 2014. The joint venture agreement contains provisions allowing for the renewal or purchase at the end of this term. Alternatively, either partner may terminate the agreement at the end of its term. Concurrent with finalizing the amended and restated asset-based revolving credit facility (Revolving Credit Facility) in the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company and CDFV amended the joint venture agreement to conform the financial covenant contained in that agreement to the minimum fixed-charge coverage ratio covenant contained in the Revolving Credit Facility. Compliance with the fixed-charge coverage ratio covenant under the joint venture agreement is only required when the Company’s available, unused borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility is below $60.0 million. As available unused borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility was above $60.0 million at the end of 2009, the Company was not required to meet the minimum fixed-charge coverage ratio covenant.

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BAC is funded in part through a $1.0 billion secured borrowing facility from GE Commercial Distribution Finance Corporation (GECDF), which is in place through the term of the joint venture, and with equity contributions from both partners. BAC also sells a portion of its receivables to a securitization facility, the GE Dealer Floorplan Master Note Trust, which is arranged by GECC. The sales of these receivables meet the requirements of a “true sale” under ASC 860 “Transfers and Servicing,” and are therefore not retained on the financial statements of BAC. The indebtedness of BAC is not guaranteed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries. In addition, BAC is not responsible for any continuing servicing costs or obligations with respect to the secu