Brunswick, Former Subsidiary Carry Asbestos Liabilities
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Published December 06, 2002


Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) has been named in a number of asbestos-
related lawsuits, the majority of which involve Vapor Corporation, a 
former subsidiary that the Company divested in 1990. 

Virtually all of the asbestos suits against the Company involve numerous
other defendants.  The claims against the Company generally allege that 
it sold products that contained components, such as gaskets, that 
included asbestos.  Neither the Company nor Vapor is alleged to have 
manufactured asbestos.  The Company's insurers have settled a number of 
asbestos claims for nominal amounts, while a number of other claims have
been dismissed.  No suit has yet gone to trial. 

The Company does not believe that the resolution of these lawsuits will 
have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial 
position or results of operations.

The Company accrues for litigation exposures based upon its assessment, 
made in consultation with outside counsel, of the likely range of 
exposure stemming from the claim.  In light of existing reserves, the 
Company's litigation claims, when finally resolved, will not, in the 
opinion of management, have a material adverse effect on the Company's 
consolidated financial position. 

If current estimates for the cost of resolving these claims are later 
determined to be inadequate, results of operations could be adversely 
affected in the period in which additional provisions are required.

COMPANY PROFILE
Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) 
1 N. Field Ct.
Lake Forest, IL 60045-4811    
Phone: 847-735-4700
Fax: 847-735-4765 
http://www.brunswickcorp.com 

Employees                 :          20,700 
Revenue                   : $ 3,370,800,000 
Net Income                : $    81,800,000 
Assets                    : $ 3,157,500,000 
Liabilities               : $ 2,046,600,000 
(As of December 31, 2001)

Description: A global leader in the leisure products industry, 
Brunswick's marine goods include Sea Ray and Bayliner boats and Mercury 
and Mariner engines. It also makes Brunswick bowling and billiards 
products, as well as fitness equipment (Life Fitness, ParaBody, and 
Hammer Strength). The company has sold an array of outdoor businesses, 
including units that make camping, fishing (Zebco reels and rods), 
hunting (Hoppe's), and bicycle equipment. Brunswick also owns or 
franchises about 140 fun centers that feature billiards, restaurants, 
bowling, and "Cosmic (glow-in-the-dark) Bowling."


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