AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT ALUMACRAFT (05/26/24)

MAY 26, 2024 — 298 EMPLOYEES IN WISCONSIN, 106 EMPLOYEES IN ST. PETER, MINNESOTA

Bombardier Recreational Products has announced a major reduction in force at its Sturtevant, Wisconsin facility.

The personnel realignment will impact 298 employees,

According to a company spokesperson, “As part of our latest financial results, we announced that we were proactively adjusting our production volumes and deliveries for the coming quarters in the context of softening consumer demand in the current macroeconomic environment. As such, and given the overall boat industry slow-down with high levels of dealers inventory, we had to reduce our production in our Sturtevant facility.”

Along with the Sturtevant plant, BRP laid off 106 employees Thursday at one of its subsidiary companies, Alumacraft, in Saint Peter, Minnesota.

OCTOBER 3, 2023 — ORIGINAL BLOG POST…

Saint Peter, Minnesota-based Alumacraft, a division of Valcourt, Quebec, Canada-based Bombardier Recreational Products, and a manufacturer of sport and utility aluminum boats, has announced a reduction in force in their Saint Peter, Minnesota production facility.

The personnel realignment will impact 68 employees, leaving 207 employees at work on a centralized first shift.

According to a company spokesperson, "We made these very difficult decisions to adapt our production to the current marine industry realities and position the business for future growth."

"The company attributed the segment's declining sales to a lower volume of boats sold, extended supply-chain issues, and unfavorable weather in the Great Lakes region, the largest market for Alumacraft and Manitou."

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT MARQUIS HOT TUBS

Independence, Oregon-based Marquis Hot Tubs, a manufacturer and supplier of heavy-duty hot tubs, swim spas, bathing chemicals, tub covers, and other related products, has announced the closure of its acrylic hot tub manufacturing facility in Independence, Oregon.

Manufacturing operations will be shared in space currently occupied by Artesian Spas, a sister company located in Las Vegas, Nevada

The closure will impact 115 employees commencing on September 1, 2023, through September 15, 2023.

According to Rick Gallagher, “Space-wise, it makes sense, and shipping and transportation will be much more cost-efficient for dealers out of Las Vegas versus Independence. Being able to have one stock of inventory to centralize dealers’ parts shipments is helpful. The freight piece is really a big deal.”

Marquis marketing, accounting, product design teams, and most administrative staff will remain in Independence to support the greater business of the entire enterprise, including Marquis, Artesian Spas, Tropic Seas, and Nordic Hot Tubs.

Private equity firm Monomoy Capital Partners purchased Marquis Hot Tubs in 2021 along with Las Vegas-based Artesian Spas. Monomoy also purchased Michigan-based Nordic Hot Tubs in 2022.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT VISTA OUTDOOR

Anoka, Minnesota-based Vista Outdoor, a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of outdoor sports and recreation products, has announced plans to scale back operations and reduce its workforce to compensate for a decline in consumer demand for recreational products. The plan includes reducing its real estate footprint, reducing operational expenses, and a reduction in force.

Several hundred employees will be laid off.

According to a company spokesperson, "The changes are being made in response to elevated retail inventory levels, rising interest rates, and inflation. The company also said the changes will help it prepare for the separation of its outdoor products and sporting products into two independent public companies, which is expected this year."

"The current Bell/Giro headquarters in Scotts Valley, California, will be closed effective September 1, 2023, with affected employees relocating to a revamped Innovation Center in the current Fox Headquarters in Irvine, California.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?