Brunswick reports record sales at FLIBS 2022
Brunswick Corporation has confirmed a record year for sales and share gains at the 2022 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) across its brands.
“Fort Lauderdale is the unofficial kick-off to the US fall boat show calendar and serves as a barometer for our brands to gauge dealer sentiment, consumer interest and product trends,” says Dave Foulkes, Brunswick Corporation CEO. “Once again, Brunswick had an incredible show, setting multiple records and gaining market share, which is a testament to the power of our brands.”
Sea Ray reported a 33 per cent increase in revenue vs the 2021 show, and a 17 per cent increase in overall units from last year. Brunswick says Boston Whaler and Bayliner had “very strong” sales throughout the show.
In a statement, Brunswick adds that Mercury Marine had more outboard engines on display in Fort Lauderdale than any other manufacturer for the fifth consecutive year, accounting for more than half of all outboard engines at the show. The group says Mercury had 70 per cent of all outboards in the on-water portion of the event.
“Mercury continues to gain share in one of the most important saltwater markets in the world, and the show again demonstrated the power and appeal of Mercury’s award-winning high horsepower outboard portfolio,” says Foulkes. “Our boat group reported very strong sales at the show with our Sea Ray brand enjoying significant year-over-year gains.”
In August, Brunswick announced the formation of Navico Group, which replaced its previous Advanced Systems Group (ASG).
Brunswick says Navico Group technology was installed on “close to 100 per cent of all US OEM boats” at the show and “on most international models”. Navico Group also saw a 20 per cent increase in electronics market share during the show.
Despite a recent dip in new powerboat sales in the US, demand for boating products is at an all-time high, and many exhibitors at FLIBS were looking to capitalise on this boom. After the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian, which swept through Florida in September, numerous brands also reported increased interest in purchasing from local owners whose boats were damaged or destroyed.
