Published: November 14, 2008 10:39 am      

Bayliner plant to close this year

CUMBERLAND — Brunswick Corp., the parent company of Bayliner, headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., plans to close its Cumberland plant by the end of the year.

Brunswick is moving production of Trophy offshore fishing boats from its Cumberland plant to a facility in Ashland City, Tenn. The move will eliminate 115 jobs.

Brunswick Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dustan E. McCoy said in a statement the decision was not a reflection on the product or the Cumberland work force.

Workers at the Cumberland plant will go on a three-week furlough around Thanksgiving as the production shutdown begins. The company said workers will receive severance and outplacement assistance.

No one at the plant was available to comment Friday because it is closed until Monday, according to its switchboard operator.

The closure of Bayliner’s Plant No. 2 was announced in November 2006. That decision also resulted in the loss of 115 jobs of the approximate 255 local workers at that time.

Brunswick Corp. makes products as diverse as fitness equipment and billiard balls.