Brunswick Corporation : Brunswick Appoints Schwabero President And Chief Operating Officer
Pfeifer Named President of Mercury Marine
LAKE FOREST, Ill. May 8, 2014 - Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) today
announced that Mark D. Schwabero has been elected to the newly created post of
president and chief operating officer, reporting to Dustan E. McCoy, chairman
and chief executive officer.
Schwabero, most recently president of Brunswick's Mercury Marine engine segment,
will be succeeded by John C. Pfeifer, who had been vice president - global
operations for Mercury Marine. These promotions are effective immediately.
As part of this action and to further facilitate the Company's long-term
succession process, Brunswick Boat Group (BBG) President Andrew E. Graves will
be leaving the Company. Graves' direct reports - Jeff Behan, vice president -
planning and business development; Boston Whaler President Huw Bower, Freshwater
Group President Jeff Kinsey, and Recreation Boat Group President Tim Schiek --
will now report to Schwabero.
In his new position, Schwabero will be responsible for all of Brunswick's day-
to-day operations, with the leadership of the Company's four business segments -
Engine, Boat, Fitness and Bowling & Billiards - reporting to him.
"An important responsibility of our Board of Directors is to ensure that we have
a deep and robust succession process. Today's announcement reflects the quality
of that process," McCoy said. "Mark is an accomplished executive who is
intimately familiar with Brunswick's markets, particularly those in the marine
segment from which the Company derives the majority of its sales and earnings.
The role of chief operating officer positions Mark to better learn and actively
manage Brunswick's overall operation, and each of its business segments and to
develop and execute our strategic imperatives.
"John Pfeifer is taking the helm of a Mercury Marine organization that is strong
and vibrant and building upon the momentum of a number of recent new products
and engine innovations," McCoy said. "John has been an integral member of
Mercury's leadership team, helping to fashion an energized organization that is
setting the pace in today's global marine marketplace.
"In conclusion, the fact that we can adopt and staff such an organization
structure totally from within our management ranks is testimony to the depth,
talent and bench strength that we have fashioned through the years at
Brunswick," McCoy continued. "We will miss Andy Graves, and we wish him the
best and thank him for his contributions. He leaves behind a Boat Group that is
better prepared and positioned to continue to prosper in this evolving and
challenging marine market environment."
Mark Schwabero
Mark Schwabero joined Mercury Marine in 2004 as the president of the engine
maker's Outboard Business Unit, where he led the development, manufacturing and
sales of the company's global outboard marine business. He became president of
Mercury Marine in 2008. During his tenure, Mercury Marine has launched a number
of successful and award-winning products, such as the Verado supercharged
engines, 150hp FourStroke engine, Joystick Piloting propulsion systems and a
host of innovative products, parts and accessories.
He has also overseen the migration and integration of Mercury's sterndrive
engine production from Oklahoma to Wisconsin. Under Schwabero, Mercury has also
continued to gain share in the competitive global engine market as well as raise
performance levels to attain some of the industry's highest quality and safety
ratings. Further, Mercury Marine recently was named 2013 Wisconsin Manufacturer
of the Year taking top honors in the Mega category.
Prior to joining Mercury, Schwabero was president and chief executive officer of
Hendrickson International of Woodridge, Illinois, a leading manufacturer of
heavy trucks and trailer suspension systems and components. Before that he
served as president, Automotive Products and regional president for Pilkington
Libbey-Owens-Ford. Earlier, Schwabero was president of Bosch Braking Systems,
North America, formed from an acquisition of AlliedSignal's Braking Systems
business, where he served as president. A 17-year career with Navistar
International preceded these more recent roles, and during that tenure he was a
group vice president of the truck business, group vice president of Operations
and general manager of Medium Duty Products. He also spent two years in sales
with Navistar.
Schwabero holds both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in
industrial and systems engineering from The Ohio State University, where he was
recognized with the University's Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1991 and a
Meritorious Service Award in 2008. He serves on the Board of Directors of
1(st) Source Corporation and National Exchange Bank, and is chairman of the
National Marine Manufacturers Association.
John Pfeifer
John Pfeifer joined Brunswick in 2006 as president of the Brunswick Asia Pacific
Group, and in 2008 was appointed president of Brunswick Marine in EMEA (Europe,
Middle East and Africa). In those roles, Pfeifer streamlined the Company's
global marine businesses to drive enhanced levels of customer service and
improved overall operating capability.
In 2012, Pfeifer was appointed vice president - global operations for Mercury
Marine. In that position, he was responsible for all of Mercury's global
operations, which combined material supply with manufacturing and distribution
to enable a more streamlined and effective operations group. During his tenure,
Mercury executed a multi-year manufacturing capacity expansion to better
position the operation for growth and profitability.
Prior to joining Brunswick, Pfeifer most recently held executive positions with
ITT Corporation and Milacron, Inc. He earned both a Bachelor of Arts in
economics and a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese language and culture at the
University of Michigan.
About Brunswick
Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., Brunswick Corporation endeavors to instill
"Genuine Ingenuity"(TM) in all its leading consumer brands, including Mercury
and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives and inboard
engines; MotorGuide trolling motors; Attwood marine parts and accessories; Land
'N' Sea, Kellogg Marine, and Diversified Marine parts and accessories
distributors; Bayliner, Boston Whaler, Brunswick Commercial and Government
Products, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris FloteBote, Lowe, Lund, Meridian,
Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Sea Ray, and Uttern boats; Life Fitness and
Hammer Strength fitness equipment; Brunswick bowling centers, equipment and
consumer products; Brunswick billiards tables and table tennis. For more
information, visit http://www.brunswick.com.
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| Contact: | Bruce Byots |
| | Vice President - Corporate and Investor Relations |
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| Phone: | 847-735-4612 |
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| Email: | bruce.byots@brunswick.com |
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| Contact: | Daniel Kubera |
| | Director - Media Relations and Corporate Communications |
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| Phone: | 847-735-4617 |
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| Email: | daniel.kubera@brunswick.com |
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Source: Brunswick Corporation via GlobeNewswire
[HUG#1783677]
Released May 8, 2014