Rapala VMC Corp. acquired the remaining 40 percent of shares of the 13 Fishing rod and reel brand not owned by the Finnish company. The transaction includes the purchase of James Coble’s remaining shareholding of DQC International, the owner of 13 Fishing.
“We have now come full circle, and Rapala will enter full-time into the U.S. rod and reel market,” said Lars Ollberg, president and CEO of Rapala VMC Corp. “Rapala has already set its highly qualified, nationwide sales force on ‘full alert’ to start business January 1!”
Ollberg said the time is right to sell the brand as the market has slowly normalized following the uncertainties after the worldwide outbreak of COVID.
“13 Fishing already has a proven track record of building a dynamic brand and developing innovative products,” Ollberg added. “In a relatively short time, it has successfully wedged itself into the world’s most competitive fishing tackle market. We thank James Coble for creating 13 Fishing with such passion and wish him all the success in reaching new horizons in his career.”
Within its brand portfolio, 13 Fishing offers freshwater and in-shore rods and reels and is dedicated to the ice fishing market. The acquisition offers Rapala VMC the opportunity to consolidate 13 Fishing into Rapala USA and continue to strengthen its position in the U.S. market.
Rapala VMC Corp. reported it has one of the largest sales and distribution networks in the U.S. market.
Image courtesy 13 Fishing
