Business news : Brunswick cuts more jobs at Hatteras, CABO plant

Another 40 people at the New Bern Hatteras and CABO Yachts plant off North Glenburnie Road were told by officials Thursday their jobs have been cut.

The company owned by Brunswick Corporation of Lake Forest, Ill., reduced its force by 105 workers Jan. 3 and announced plans to sell the Hatteras and CABO Yachts brands in its Marine Division.
The two layoffs mean about 390 are currently employed at what was once Craven County’s largest private employer with about 1,400 people.

“Hourly employees were notified in person together as a group this morning; salaried employees were notified individually,” said Dan Kubera, Brunswick Corporation media relations and corporate communications director.

“All affected employees were given additional information and offered assistance with any questions by our human resources staff,” he said.

The company’s first new release announcing the layoffs said the job cuts came “as these brands continue to make adjustments to reflect market conditions.”

Responding to questions Thursday, Kubera said, “I can't speculate if there will be any further actions similar to this morning, but I can tell you that we will continue to manage to business conditions, which is what we have always done.”

 “As far as the sales process, I can tell you that it is ongoing, but I cannot characterize or report on the situation beyond that, which is in line with Company policy,” he said.

The company established in High Point in 1959 moved to New Bern in 1967 and was purchased by Brunswick in 2001 from Genmar Holdings Inc.

Hatteras Yachts pioneered production of large fiberglass sea boats and has long been considered a world leader in construction of convertible sport fishing and luxury motor yachts.

Its workforce size has fluctuated over the years, often in line with recessions and economic uncertainty, and the New Bern plant nearly shut down in the winter of 2010 and 2011.

Surviving with some rework jobs and new orders just in the nick of time, the company continued to refine its products. It rebuilt its workforce to more than 500 employees before recent cuts. The plant on the shores of the Neuse River is still open with master craftsmen building boats.

At the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in October, it unveiled a new design for the popular Hatteras 80 Motor Yacht which is scheduled to be out in the fall with a base retail price of $5.34 million.


( By Sue Book, Sun Journal Staff  (252-635-5665 or sue.book@newbernsj.com.,Twitter@SueJBook )Through Sun Journal New Bern North Carolina )