Brunswick’s First All-Women Design Team Earns ‘Designer of the Year’ Honor at 2022 IBI METSTRADE BoatBuilder Awards for Business Achievement

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AMSTERDAM – November 18, 2022 – Sea Ray Senior Design Manager Carrie Fodor and Brunswick Boat Group Senior Industrial Designer Kristin McGinnis have been named Designer of the Year during the 2022 IBI METSTRADE Show for their groundbreaking efforts in designing Sea Ray’s SLX 260 series, the company’s first boat designed by an all-women design team. The SLX series is inclusive of the SLX 260, SLX 260 Outboard and SLX 260 Surf, and is also the first Sport Boats to showcase Sea Ray’s new luxury design language combining peak performance, superior comfort, incredible versatility, and state-of-the-art technology.

The Designer of the Year Award, which highlights the notable achievement of a designer or design team on one or more naval architecture, design or interior design boat or superyacht projects, further showcases Brunswick’s culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and the positive impact that creating opportunities for women and underrepresented communities can bring to the marine industry.

“We believe the diversity of our employees, and the different experiences and perspectives they bring, inspire the greatest innovation and are necessary to shape the future of our company and of recreational boating, and the SLX 260 series is a prime example of this,” said Aine Denari, President, Brunswick Boat Group. “On behalf of our entire organization, we are incredibly proud of Carrie and Kristin for leading by example and inspiring the next generation of female designers within our industry.”

IBI Editor and chair of the Boat Builder Awards judges, Ed Slack, commented: "Since we were last gathered in this venue, we've all experienced Covid, lockdowns, supply chain mayhem, war in the Ukraine, and an ongoing economic roller-coaster ride. We've seen our industry adapt and flex in the face of adversity. It's fitting that we were able to celebrate the brilliant responses of boatbuilders and their valued partners to these challenges in a place with such a great maritime heritage. The endeavors of all shortlisted companies and individuals will surely be viewed in years to come as historically important foundations for our future. Our congratulations to everyone who entered and especially to those who were honored this evening."

The Boat Builder Awards were initiated by METSTRADE and International Boat Industry magazine (IBI) in 2015 to recognize the business achievements of leisure boat builders, as well as the teams and individuals that make them successful. It has since then grown to become a prestigious and widely recognized annual awards program.

The eighth edition of the Boat Builder Awards received 99 accepted nominations, with 32 companies from 16 countries named as finalists, from which 13 winners and two Honorable Mentions were named. The gala dinner and awards ceremony were held at the Amsterdam Maritime Museum’s starlit covered courtyard, marking a spectacular return to the historic amphitheater.

Learn more and view the full list of the 2022 Boat Builder Awards, https://www.ibinews.com/bba2022/boat-builder-awards-2022-winners-announced/43619.article

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; Navico Group, which includes industry-leading brands such as Simrad, Lowrance, C-MAP, B&G, MotorGuide, Attwood, Mastervolt, RELiON, Blue Sea Systems, CZone and Navico Group 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.

Released November 18, 2022