Brunswick Corp. reported net sales of $995.3 million for the first quarter ended March 30, up 4 percent from a year ago. Revenue growth in the quarter was driven by U.S. outboard marine products, marine parts and accessories and fitness equipment, partially offset by declines in fiberglass sterndrive/inboard products and the bowling business. Sales in the fitness segment, which is led by Life Fitness, totaled $166.2 million, up 6 percent on the first quarter of 2012. International fitness equipment sales represented 50 percent of total segment sales in the quarter, an increase of 11 percent. In the first quarter, the company had operating earnings of $75.3 million, which included $0.2 million of restructuring, exit and impairment charges. Net earnings from continuing operations were $54.9 million, up from $47.0 million in the first quarter of 2012. Brunswick is raising its profit outlook for the company as a whole, with excellent results again in fitness, and continues to target 3 to 5 percent growth in overall revenues for 2013. The strong increase experienced in the first quarter is expected to moderate over the remainder of the year.

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