BRP is laying off 298 employees in two rounds of job cuts at its Science Drive, Sturtevant, Canada, plant.
The company cites ‘persisting adverse market and economic conditions’ with softening consumer demand for the recreational boat industry.
The Quebec-based recreational products manufacturer initially announced plans to lay off 150 employees in March 2024, according to an official notice submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development by director of operations – Sturtevant, Nicolas Gagnon.
A second round of lay-offs took place on May 23 2024, affecting a further 148 employees.
BRP says the lay-off affects new and low-hour employees and will be permanent.
Employees will receive payment in lieu of notice and those affected have been notified.
The majority of the employees affected are listed as assemblers and material handlers.
The company began production of its Sea-Doo Switch pontoon boat in 2022 in Sturtevant and announced it had retooled the facility in October 2023 to enable production of the new boats.
In November, BRP announced plans to invest $14 million in its Sturtevant operations to expand its production of Sea-Doo Switch pontoon boats.
BRP’s full year 2024 financial results showed revenue up 3.3% year-on-year to CA$10.4 billion, with a profit margin of 7.2%, down from 8.6% in 2023. The decrease in margin was driven by higher expenses.
Revenue was forecast to grow 2.2% per annum on average during the next three years.
