Brunswick Corporation : Brunswick Reports High Number of Patents Granted in 2016
Mercury Marine has record year
LAKE FOREST, Ill. Feb. 13, 2017 - Improved methods for handling exhaust from
marine engines ... innovative hull designs to increase boat stability ...
walking treadmill desk configurations to encourage active workplace meetings --
Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), a worldwide leader in the marine and fitness
equipment industries, today announced that it had 73 patents granted to the
Company during 2016, more than twice its total for 2015, and among the highest
amount achieved in Brunswick's nearly 175 years in business.
"2016 was another prolific year for the Company in all of our segments - marine
engine, pleasure boats and fitness," Brunswick's Vice President and Chief
Technology Officer David Foulkes said. In 2015, Brunswick was awarded 34
patents, earning the Company a spot among the top 25 Illinois companies
receiving patents during that year, according to Crain's Chicago Business.
For 2016, the Company and its divisions earned 73 patents, 60 of which were
awarded to Brunswick's Mercury Marine division, which was a record for the
engine manufacturer based in Fond du Lac, Wis.
"Consistent with our dedication to product leadership, we have sustained the
pace of innovation both in product features and capabilities as well as
operational process improvements," Foulkes explained. "Indeed, the awarding of
these patents was the culmination of a lot of good work across the Company
during the past several years. These efforts have reinforced our leadership
position in our marine and fitness businesses."
In 2016, Brunswick spent approximately $139 million on research and development
across the global Company, about three percent of its annual net sales and
consistent with investment levels of recent years.
In 2016, Brunswick's research was highly concentrated into the following
categories:
Emissions
Mercury obtained 11 patents relating to handling emissions and exhaust. These
patents include those resulting from the cooperative efforts of Brunswick's
Mercury and Attwood operations to develop industry-leading fuel systems and
technologies as well as improved methods of reducing emissions in marine fuel
systems.
Control
Mercury continues to maintain its position as the leader in marine propulsion
control systems. In 2016, Mercury secured 12 patents relating to its control
systems. The patents range from designs of the joystick control and display, to
improving the lateral movement of boat with various power configurations.
Comfort
Six issued patents demonstrate Mercury's constant efforts to improve the
consumer's comfort, including reducing the noise and vibration of the engine, as
well as improving the shift changes to provide the boat passengers with a
smoother, quieter and more comfortable ride.
Maintenance
Not only is Mercury working to improve the experience of boat operators, but
also those who must maintain the boats. Mercury obtained seven patents on
developments aimed at servicing and maintaining engines, including better
accessibility through cowl improvements as well as enhancements to engine
mounting systems.
Friendlier Boating
The Brunswick Boat Group continued to focus on improving the boating
experience. Two examples are a newly issued patent protecting the hull design
of the Bayliner Element boat, which improves the stability of the boat, allowing
a hulled boat to act much more like a pontoon. Similarly, Sea Ray secured a
patent on its popular rear lounge seat on its well-received SLX model.
Active Lifestyle
The Fitness Division continues to focus not only on being active at the gym, but
through a person's life, including at work. The Fitness patents issued during
2016 reflected the division's continued growth, including several patents issued
to recently acquired Cybex and Indoor Cycling Group as well as three patents
covering its InMovement Products.
"This sustained focus has led to a number of product features and capabilities
that have resonated with consumers as well as advanced many aspects of our
industries," Foulkes concluded. "Though our thrust continues to be in support
of new products and enhancements of existing products, we continue to expand our
efforts in the fields of collaborative research and the strengthening and
deepening of our pool of talent. Indeed, we believe that a robust R&D effort
provides a platform to support creativity and innovation throughout the
organization."
About Brunswick
Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., Brunswick Corporation's leading consumer
brands include Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser
sterndrives and inboard engines; MotorGuide trolling motors; Attwood, Garelick
and Whale marine parts and accessories; Land 'N' Sea, Kellogg Marine, Payne's
Marine and BLA parts and accessories distributors; Bayliner, Boston Whaler,
Brunswick Commercial and Government Products, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris,
Lowe, Lund, Meridian, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Sea Ray, Thunder Jet
and Uttern; Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, Cybex, Indoor Cycling Group and
SCIFIT fitness equipment; InMovement products and services for productive well-
being; and Brunswick billiards tables, accessories and game room furniture. For
more information, visit http://www.brunswick.com.
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Contact: Daniel Kubera |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Director - Media Relations and Corporate Communications |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Phone: 847-735-4617 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Email: daniel.kubera@brunswick.com |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.
The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Brunswick Corporation via GlobeNewswire
Released February 13, 2017