The fitness segment of Brunswick Corp., Lake Forest, IL, which is comprised of Life Fitness and Hammer Strength equipment, had increases in sales and operating earnings in first quarter 2014.
According to financials announced last week by Brunswick Corp., first quarter 2014 fitness segment sales totaled $175.6 million, a 6 percent increase from $166.2 million in first quarter 2013. International sales, which represented 48 percent of total segment sales in the quarter, decreased by 1 percent.
The fitness segment also reported operating earnings of $29.8 million in first quarter 2014, a 22 percent increase from $24.5 million in first quarter 2013.
The increase in sales reflected growth in the United States to health clubs, local and federal governments and hospitality customers, Brunswick said. The increase in operating earnings was a result of higher sales combined with "favorable warranty expense comparisons, partially offset by investments in growth initiatives and the absence of a favorable insurance settlement" in the first quarter of 2013.
As a company, Brunswick sales decreased by 3 percent in first quarter 2014 ($969.2 million) compared to first quarter 2013 ($995.3 million). Brunswick Chairman and CEO Dustan McCoy said the decrease in Brunswick sales was due to harsh weather conditions that affected sales in the company's marine and bowling and billiards segments.