San Diego-based Adventure 16, which recently closed its fifth store in Southern California, has sold its Wholesale division to Summit Distribution, LLC and will use proceeds to upgrade its stores and relaunch its online store.
Adventure 16 Wholesale is one of the largest wholesale distributors specializing in accessories for backpacking, camping, climbing and adventure travel in the United States. A16 Wholesale carries thousands of different products from over 120 brands in their catalog, some of which include Nalgene, Humangear, Outdoor Products, GSI, Buff, Adventure Medical Kits, Fox River, Suunto, Katadyn, Aquapac, Gerber, Primus, & Black Diamond.
“This is an exciting opportunity for A16,” said John D. Mead, President of privately-held Adventure 16, which has not sold online since 2006. “The transaction will allow A16 to focus exclusively on improving our retail business and better serving our customers as Southern California’s leading local outdoor specialty outfitter. Among other things, the proceeds of the sale will be used to upgrade stores and to relaunch our online store. We have every reason to believe that Summit Distribution will do an exceptional job operating A16’s outdoor accessory and climbing business and serving our Dealers.”
“This is a tremendously exciting day for Summit. We are delighted to officially welcome A16 Wholesale to be a key part of Summit’s future expansion into the Sports and Recreation Markets,” said Larry Locks, Summit Distribution’s CEO. He added “This transaction strengthens and diversifies Summit's position within the outdoor industry. By acquiring one of the forefathers of the industry, a company with an authentic connection to the outdoor market and staffed by outdoor enthusiasts, we will gain significant momentum and be able to capitalize on many new growth opportunities. Summit is committed to helping the A16 Wholesale brands reach their national potential, while maintaining each division's unique essence”
Headquartered in East Norwich, NY, Summit Distribution, LLC is a leading national multi-channel, value-added, sales organization and stocking distributor with an 11-year history of selling, marketing, and distributing world-class products in the Outdoor Sports, Recreation, Fishing, and Shooting Sports markets.
“This acquisition will provide a turnkey West Coast distribution center in San Diego for Summit, and an East Coast distribution center in New York for A16 Wholesale. Having distribution centers on both coasts enables us to reach our customers within 1-2 days via ground service” added Locks.
