Exxel Outdoors has kicked into high gear on Phase 2 of its expansion plan. The plan include the acquisition of a 156,679-square-foot building complex in Los Angeles County, the hiring of Tory Upham as national sales director and David Avila as sales manager west, and the addition of design and fulfillment jobs in Los Angeles.
Phase 2 of Exxel Outdoors expansion follows the completion of Phase I in the first quarter of 2011, when the company added a fourth production line to its Haleyville, AL sleeping bag factory and increased its workforce there.
“Acquiring this Los Angeles County property, with more than two and a half times the space we have now in L.A., will serve to fuel the growth of our Alabama camping gear operation,” remarked Exxel Outdoors CEO Harry Kazazian. “It’s a natural chain reaction, as more production and jobs are added at our Alabama factory, there will be more support jobs added in Los Angeles.”
Exxel Outdoors Los Angeles team is scheduled to occupy their new campus in the City of Industry this June. The 156,679-square-foot space will hold Exxel’s West Coast distribution center, as well as its corporate, sales and design offices. It includes 29 dock-high positions among three buildings. The significantly larger warehouse will enhance Exxel’s ability to offer its highly acclaimed Just-In-Time inventory program to its customers, with lead times as short as three to four days.
“We give our deep thanks to Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) for helping lead the congressional effort in DC this past year to save and bolster our American manufacturing and related jobs,” commented Kazazian.
Exxel’s Phase 2 expansion also entails adding more jobs in Los Angeles starting with the hiring of key sales leadership.
Tory Upham has been chosen as Exxel’s new national sales director, supervising a sales force of 24 across the country. Upham was previously with Boston/China based Camp Planner International Ltd. and Golfology, a top New England retail golf chain. He is a graduate of Babson College.
Exxel has also named David Avila as sales manager west. In addition to overseeing all Western States accounts, Avila will grow Exxel’s e-commerce business. He was previously with Bravo Sports and Nike, and is a graduate of University of Redlands.
“Both Tory and David are great cultural fits for Exxel Outdoors,” commented Kazazian. “They possess a valuable combination of hands-on experience in outdoor and sporting goods sales, and complete dedication to providing unmatched service for our customers.”
Exxel Outdoors brands include Suisse Sport, American Trails, X20, Master Sportsman and Prestige Apparel. Exxel Outdoors also has licensing agreements with Disney, Marvel Entertainment, Hasbro and Hello Kitty for family camping and water sports products. Additionally, Exxel manufactures OEM for numerous chain store private labels.
Exxel supplies major mass retailers and sporting goods chains, including Walmart, Target, Kmart/Sears, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Cabela’s, Big 5 Sporting Goods, and many others in addition to numerous e-commerce sites.
