Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/570649
LAUNCH www.BoatingIndustry.com October 2015 | Boating Industry | 11 INDUSTRY NEWS so we're quite pleased. The crowds have been steady, it feels like we've been a bit busier than last year." Electronics manufacturers have also been busy, with a number of new product launches over the first two days of the show. Navico drew a particularly large crowd with the official launch of its new StructureScan 3D system. "Our Lowrance and Simrad brands obviously have long and deep connections to the fishing market, so ICAST is a perfect venue to in- troduce these new products," said Lucas Steward, product manager at Navico. "Fishermen are boaters, and they're particularly passionate about spending time on the water." BRUNSWICK SALES UP 6 PERCENT FOR Q2 2015 Sales were up 6 percent for the second quarter of the year at Bruns- wick Corp., as the industry giant reported growth in engine sales and fiberglass boats. The company reported net sales of $1.14 billion for the quarter, up from $1.07 billion in 2014. Operating earnings were at $154.2 mil- lion, up from $138.3 million. Net earnings were up from $87.1 million in 2014 to $107.6 million for the quarter. New engines — both outboard and sterndrive — and new models are generating market share gains, CEO Dusty McCoy said. The company continues to be challenged by the strong dollar putting pressure on exports — sales would have been up 11 percent on a constant currency basis. About 20 percent of Brunswick's busi- ness is conducted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, said CFO Bill Metzger, and the company expects currency issues to reduce overall sales by about 4 percent. For the full year, Brunswick expects industry sales to be down high single digits or low double digits in Canada, flat in Europe and down double digits in South America, McCoy said. The marine engine segment, which includes Mercury engines as well as Brunswick's parts and accessories businesses, reported a 6 percent gain in net sales to $689.2 million for the quarter. Interna- tional sales were down 3 percent for the engine segment. Outboards and parts and accessories continued to be strong, while sterndrive sales declined again, said COO Mark Schwabero. The Brunswick Boat Group also reported growth for the quarter, with net sales up 8 percent to $349.3 million for the quarter compared to $324.1 million in 2014. The increase was driven by growth in fiberglass boats, partially offset by declines in aluminum sales, Schwabero said.