BRP to go direct in France
The Canadian company, one of the world leaders in motorised recreational activities, has chosen the number one market in Europe to reinforce its growth, move closer to its clients and revitalise its competitiveness.
Valcourt, Quebec (Canada), April 11, 2005 - Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP) will be taking a direct approach to its business in France, marking a new phase of its international development. BRP, which has been present in Europe for over 30 years, with manufacturing facilities in Austria (BRP Rotax) and in Finland (BRP Finland), will become the direct link to its future dealer network in France.
As of October 1, 2005, BRP will distribute its products directly through its own French dealer network. However, as part of the agreements and commitments undertaken in France, the distribution of BRP products will continue to be handled by the current distributor, Everset S.A., until September 30, 2005.
"BRP's team is pleased with this new phase of our global strategy," stated Michel Hade, Vice President and General Manager, International Sales and Marketing. "This initiative is part of BRP's growth strategy to reinforce its presence on the international markets. This approach will allow us to better anticipate and satisfy the present and future needs of the customers in France, the most important market in Europe for motorised recreational vehicles."
BRP's direct approach in France will ensure that its standards with respect to customer service, delivery of products and spare parts, after-sales service and warranty are maintained. BRP wishes to thank Everset for its role in dealing with the French market over the years.
All BRP products will continue to be available on the French market, thus reaffirming BRP's mission to offer its customers the most innovative, passionate and responsible recreational experiences.
BRP is a world leader in design, development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of Ski Doo® and LynxTM snowmobiles, Sea-Doo® watercraft and sport boats, Johnson® and Evinrude® outboard engines, direct injection technologies such as Evinrude E-TECTM, Bombardier* all-terrain vehicles (ATV/Quad), Rotax® engines and karts.
®, TM Trademark of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates.
* Trademark of Bombardier Inc. used under license.
This release refers to non-GAAP financial measures, such as EBITDA and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA. "EBITDA" is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation. Adjusted EBITDA includes the further adjustments described below. These non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Our Senior Credit Agreement and the indenture governing our Senior Subordinated Notes contain covenants tied to similar measures. We believe that EBITDA and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted for certain items and impacts resulting from purchase accounting, are a fair representation of and provide information with respect to our ability to service our debt. However, they should not be considered as substitutes for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.
This release contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to our financial condition, results of operations and business. All of these forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of terminology such as "subject to," "believe," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "can," or "anticipates," or the negative thereof, or variations thereon, or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, although believed to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain. Factors which may materially affect such forward-looking statements include: (i) slow or negative growth in the recreational products industry; (ii) interruption of business or negative impact on sales and earnings due to acts of war, terrorism, bio-terrorism, civil unrest or disruption of mail service; (iii) adverse publicity regarding safety issues; (iv) increased competition; (v) increased costs; (vi) loss or retirement of key members of management; (vii) increases in the cost of borrowings and unavailability of additional debt or equity capital; (viii) changes in general worldwide economic and political conditions in the markets in which BRP may compete from time to time; (ix) the inability of BRP to gain and/or hold market share of its wholesale and/or retail customers anywhere in the world; (x) the inability of BRP's clients to obtain and/or renew insurance; (xi) exposure to, and expense of defending and resolving, product liability claims and other litigation; (xii) the ability of BRP to successfully implement its business strategy; (xiii) the inability of BRP to manage its retail, wholesale, manufacturing and other operations efficiently; (xiv) consumer acceptance of BRP's products; (xv) fluctuations in foreign currencies, including the Canadian Dollar; (xvi) import-export controls on sales to foreign countries; (xvii) introduction of new federal, state, local or foreign legislation or regulation or adverse determinations by regulators anywhere in the world; (xviii) the mix of BRP's products and the profit margins thereon; and (xix) other factors beyond BRP's control.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. BRP cannot guarantee future results, trends, events, levels of activity, performance or achievements. BRP does not undertake and specifically declines any obligation to update, republish or revise forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrences of unanticipated events.
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For information:
Canada:
BRP
Pierre Pichette
Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs
+1 450 532-5188
pierre.pichette@brp.com
www.brp.com
France:
BRP
Antoine Valla
Sr. Coordinator - Marketing
Projects
antoine.valla@brp.com
www.brp.com
Edelman
Laure Osmanian
+33 1 56 69 75 04
laure.osmanian@edelman.com