The Brunswick European Group(BEG) and Vator Oy have announced plans to expand Vator’s role as an authorized retailer of BEG marine products in Finland.  Under the new structure, Vator will retail the full line of Mercury Marine products, including Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; MerCruiser sterndrive and inboard engines; Cummins MerCruiser diesel engines; Bella, Flipper, Aquador, Uttern, Quicksilver and Arvor boats; Valiant rigid inflatables; Quicksilver inflatables; and related parts and accessories, in the Greater Helsinki area, the Greater Tampere area, the Greater Turku area and the City of Tallinn.  In addition, Vator will distribute Sealine and Bayliner boats in Finland for BEG’s affiliates.

“Vator Oy is one of the premier names in the Finnish marine industry,” explained Victoria Reich, BEG President.  “This new direction for our long-standing partnership of 55 years with Vator will support the continued expansion of all of our marine brands in this key market.”

Simultaneously, BEG announced that its engine division, Marine Power Europe (MPE), will commence dealer-direct distribution to MPE’s Finnish dealer network and the Baltic countries beginning in 2007.  This direct distribution model has been successfully implemented by MPE in other Nordic countries, including Sweden and Norway, and will support the Mercury and Cummins-MerCruiser Diesel engine lines in the region.

“Finland is an important market for our boats, engines and related parts and accessories,” explained Jacques Bronchart, president of MPE.  “By establishing a direct operation in Finland, we will be able to serve Vator and our other dealers and customers throughout Finland and the Baltic region.” 

MPE’s Finnish branch will commence operations Jan.1, 2007, and immediately begin selling directly to dealers and marine original equipment manufacturing customers in the area.  Through the end of 2006, Vator Oy will continue to handle distribution in Finland with MPE’s full support, at which time it will transition those responsibilities to MPE and focus on its expanding retail operations and distribution of Sealine and Bayliner boats. 

“We are very grateful for the efforts of everyone at Vator Oy over the years, and are excited about the next phase of this relationship,” Bronchart said.  “We will provide full support to Vator as our distributor through the end of the year, and look forward to continuing our relationship in the future as Vator further expands its focus on retail operations.”