Brunswick Corporation’s Advanced Systems Group Acquires RELiON Battery, LLC and Announces Plans for Electrification Technology Center
METTAWA, Ill., Sept. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brunswick Corporation (NYSE:BC) continues to execute on its Next Wave strategy, announcing today that it has acquired RELiON Battery, LLC, a global provider of lithium batteries and related products to multiple industry sectors. Additionally, the Company is announcing plans for a new Electrification Technology Center to be located in Michigan. Both actions support the Company’s ACES (Autonomy, Connectivity, Electrification, and Shared Access) strategy and will enable Brunswick’s Advanced Systems Group (ASG) to extend its leadership position in electrical systems innovation.
“Brunswick’s Advanced Systems Group continues to drive widespread adoption of lithium-ion battery and power management systems in both marine and mobile markets. The addition of RELiON to our portfolio reinforces our position as a leading supplier of lithium batteries for RV and recreational boating,” said Dave Foulkes, Brunswick Corporation CEO. “In addition, the formation of our new technology center will meaningfully advance our high-voltage electrical systems capabilities.”
RELiON products power a range of applications in the marine, recreational vehicle, solar, and industrial segments. RELiON is dedicated to leading the world's transition to lithium energy storage and boasts one of the largest lines of 12V, 24V, 36V and 48V lithium battery systems in the industry. RELiON products are distributed globally through a wide array of retail, OEM, and distribution partners.
“The RELiON acquisition perfectly complements our existing portfolio of industry-leading advanced battery and power management brands, like Mastervolt, ProMariner, and Blue Sea Systems,” said Brett Dibkey, Advanced Systems Group president. “Beyond strengthening our product and brand portfolio, RELiON brings a talented and passionate team of people who are committed to powering the world’s transition to sustainable energy sources. As the need for higher performing and greener energy grows, now with RELiON, ASG will be at the forefront of delivering innovative technology to our global customers.”
Headquartered in Rock Hill, South Carolina, RELiON opened an expanded Technology Center outside of Seattle in 2019, which will provide Brunswick additional capacity and capabilities to bring the next generation of lithium batteries to its global customer base.
“Our vision to be the most sought after and admired lithium battery company in the world has now been exponentially bolstered by joining Brunswick Corporation’s Advanced Systems Group,” said Paul Hecimovich, RELiON Battery, LLC CEO. “We feel it is our duty to do better as a business, making our batteries as sustainable as possible for our customers who enjoy being outdoors.”
Also, furthering Brunswick’s commitment to leading the industry in electrification, today the Company announced that it will open a new Electrification Technology Center later this year in Michigan focused on high voltage battery development. The Technology Center will employ engineers, scientists, and designers in a world-class facility.
“We are on the leading edge of increased adoption of battery technology to power both propulsion and on‐board house systems,” said Dibkey. “We see the acquisition of RELiON and the new technology center as a tremendous opportunity to expand our electrification portfolio, and we are thrilled to have RELiON as part of the Brunswick family and look forward to our current and new customers benefiting from this expanded product lineup.”
About Brunswick
Headquartered in Mettawa, Ill., Brunswick Corporation’s leading consumer brands include Mercury Marine outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrive and inboard packages; Mercury global parts and accessories including propellers and SmartCraft electronics; Advanced Systems Group, which includes industry-leading brands like MotorGuide, Attwood, Mastervolt, Blue Sea Systems, CZone, and ASG Connect system integrators; Land ’N’ Sea, BLA, Payne’s Marine, Kellogg Marine, and Lankhorst Taselaar marine parts distribution; Mercury and Quicksilver parts and oils; Bayliner, Boston Whaler, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris, Heyday, Lowe, Lund, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Sea Ray, Thunder Jet and Uttern boats; Boating Services Network, Freedom Boat Club and Boat Class. For more information, visit brunswick.com.
About RELiON Battery
RELiON is a global designer and distributor of battery storage ideas. Founded in 2014, the company is on a mission to help customers challenge and overcome their limits by providing the best drop-in lithium batteries and to give back by donating one percent of annual revenue to environmental causes through 1% for the Planet. RELiON products power a range of applications including, recreational vehicles, marine, solar powered solutions and more. The company offers a range of high-quality products that continue to pave the way forward to a greener and more efficient future for energy storage. For more information on RELiON, visit RELiONbattery.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about Brunswick’s business and by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. Words such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “position,” “intend,” “target,” “plan,” “seek,” “estimate,” “believe,” “predict,” “outlook,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from expectations as of the date of this news release. These risks include, but are not limited to: the effect of adverse general economic conditions, including the amount of disposable income consumers have available for discretionary spending; changes in currency exchange rates; fiscal policy concerns; adverse economic, credit, and capital market conditions; higher energy and fuel costs; competitive pricing pressures; the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the emergence of variant strains; managing our manufacturing footprint; adverse weather conditions, climate change events, and other catastrophic event risks; international business risks; our ability to develop new and innovative products and services at a competitive price; our ability to meet demand in a rapidly changing environment; loss of key customers; actual or anticipated increases in costs, disruptions of supply, or defects in raw materials, parts, or components we purchase from third parties, including as a result of pressures due to the pandemic; supplier manufacturing constraints, increased demand for shipping carriers, and transportation disruptions; absorbing fixed costs in production; risks associated with joint ventures that do not operate solely for our benefit; our ability to successfully implement our strategic plan and growth initiatives; the possibility that the announced acquisition of Navico will not be consummated within the anticipated time period or at all, including as the result of regulatory, market, or other factors; our ability to integrate acquisitions, including Navico; the potential for disruption to our business in connection with the Navico acquisition, making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; the risk that unexpected costs will be incurred in connection with the Navico transaction; the possibility that the expected synergies and value creation from the Navico transaction will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; attracting and retaining skilled labor, implementing succession plans for key leadership, and executing organizational and leadership changes; our ability to identify, complete, and integrate targeted acquisitions; the risk that strategic divestitures will not provide business benefits; maintaining effective distribution; adequate financing access for dealers and customers; requirements for us to repurchase inventory; inventory reductions by dealers, retailers, or independent boat builders; risks related to the Freedom Boat Club franchise business model; outages, breaches, or other cybersecurity events regarding our technology systems, which could affect manufacturing and business operations and could result in lost or stolen information and associated remediation costs; our ability to protect our brands and intellectual property; changes to U.S. trade policy and tariffs; any impairment to the value of goodwill and other assets; product liability, warranty, and other claims risks; legal and regulatory compliance, including increased costs, fines, and reputational risks; changes in income tax legislation or enforcement; managing our share repurchases; and risks associated with certain divisive shareholder activist actions.
Additional risk factors are included in the 2020 Form 10-K and Brunswick’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 3, 2021. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Brunswick does not undertake any obligation to update them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release or for changes made to this document by wire services or Internet service providers.
Lee Gordon Vice President – Brunswick Global Communications & Public Relations Brunswick Office: 847-735-4003 Mercury Office: 920-924-1808 Cell: 904-860-8848 Lee.Gordon@Brunswick.com
Released September 1, 2021