The fitness segment of Brunswick Corp., Lake Forest, IL, which is comprised of Life Fitness and Hammer Strength equipment, saw a 3 percent decrease in sales in the third quarter compared to the same period a year ago.
Fitness segment sales totaled $151.9 million, down from $157.2 percent in third quarter 2011, according to financials the company released last month. International sales, which represented 48 percent of total segment sales in the third quarter, decreased by 4 percent.
Operating earnings for the fitness segment totaled $23.1 million in the third quarter compared to $22.6 million in the same period last year.
Higher sales to North American health club customers and stronger U.S. consumer sales were more than offset by declines in other U.S. distribution channels and in markets outside of North America, the company reported. The slight increase in operating earnings were a result of improved operating efficiencies, partially offset by lower sales, the company added.
Brunswick reported overall net sales of $884.8 million in the third quarter, up from $876.7 million in the same period last year. Company operating earnings in the third quarter were $37.5 million, which included $28.2 million of restructuring, exit and impairment charges, compared to operating earnings of $35.6 million, which included $13.2 million of restructuring, exit and impairment charges, in third quarter 2011.