The fitness segment of Brunswick Corp., Lake Forest, IL, which is comprised of Life Fitness and Hammer Strength equipment, had a slight increase in sales in the second quarter compared to the same period a year ago, according to financials the company released last week.
Fitness segment sales were $143.3 million in second quarter 2012, up 1 percent from $141.6 million in the second quarter of 2011. Brunswick Chairman and CEO Dusty McCoy said on a call with analysts last Thursday that U.S. sales in the fitness segment increased by 11 percent and sales in Europe decreased by 14 percent. Overall international sales, which represented 48 percent of total segment sales in the quarter, decreased by 7 percent.
Operating earnings for the fitness segment were $19.9 million in second quarter 2012 compared to $19.1 million in the same period last year. The operating earnings increased as a result of the sales increase and lower variable compensation expense, offset partially by increased investments for long-term growth, according to the company.
McCoy reiterated what he said after Brunswick’s first quarter 2012 earnings, that Life Fitness’ growth over the past two years supports the company’s long-term outlook for the fitness segment. McCoy also said last week that two new Life Fitness products, Lifescape and Synrgy360, have performed well in the marketplace.
Brunswick reported overall net sales of $1.067 billion in second quarter 2012 compared to $1.096 billion in second quarter 2011. The company also reported operating earnings of $114.8 million in second quarter 2012 compared to $107.9 million in the same period last year.