Francisco Morales, newly appointed CEO of 5.11—the tactical gear brand he co-founded in 2003—spoke with SGB about what’s driving the company’s brick-and-mortar growth, the explosion of the tactical sector and the importance of having a supportive parent company like CODI.
Author: SGB Media
Winnebago Shares Climb After Earnings, Revenue Beat
Shares of Winnebago Industries grew $1.45, or 4.6 percent, at market close Wednesday following a fourth-quarter earnings report that beat Wall Street expectations on both earnings per share and revenue. However, softness in the RV market and slowing profits brought shares down to earth after an early morning surge of 17 percent.
SGB Executive Q&A: Cascade Designs COO Dave McDonald
Dave McDonald, who was recently appointed COO of Cascade Designs—the Seattle, WA-based company that owns and operates a portfolio of popular outdoor brands—spoke with SGB about his new role and how he plans to help the longtime company improve its operational excellence.
Nike’s Kaepernick Campaign Garners Mixed Reaction In Cowen Survey
Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign featuring Colin Kaepernick received mixed reaction based on factors such as how much consumers earn annually and how much they spend with the brand, according to a survey published Wednesday by the investment firm Cowen.
Hydro Flask Soars As Helen of Troy Pursues Tariff Mitigation
Helen of Troy Ltd. got a surprisingly strong performance from Hydro Flask in the second quarter, but rising tariffs have the company looking at moving its sourcing outside of China—a daunting but necessary act—to avoid increasing prices for customers.
How To Navigate The Trade War
Companies that are subject to new tariffs on Chinese-made products might be able to mitigate some or all of the financial impact, according to David Cohen, a Washington, DC-based international trade lawyer, who spoke at the recent SFIA Industry Leaders Summit. “You’re not sitting ducks. There are ways, there are countermeasures, that companies can take.”
Q&A With Meridith Unger Of SFIA Start-Up Challenge Winner Nix Biosensors
Nix Biosensors was the winner of the Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s third annual Start-Up Challenge, held at last week’s Industry Leaders Summit in Denver, CO. Meridith Unger, founder and CEO of the Boston, MA-based company, spoke with SGB about what this award means for the business moving forward.
SGB Executive Q&A: Coast Products CEO David Brands
Coast Products has a rich history. The Portland, OR-based maker of knives, multitools, headlamps, flashlights and other accessories is turning 100 next year and has been family-owned since its founding in 1919. CEO David Brands spoke with SGB about the origins of the company his grandfather created, what’s driving growth and where Coast goes from here.
5 Takeaways From SFIA’s Industry Leaders Summit
Executives from leading sports, fitness and active lifestyle companies descended on Denver, CO, last week for the Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s sixth annual Industry Leaders Summit. Here are five takeaways from the event, including how to mitigate tariffs, what’s driving M&A and the growing importance of culture.
September M&A Roundup: Ski Resort Consolidation Ramps Up
Signs of the coming ski season are evident in many North American mountain towns, where fall foliage is peaking, snowmaking has begun at some resorts and a new crop of ski and snowboard films is hitting theaters. Ski area operators are especially active these days, of course, but not only from fine-tuning their chairlifts and hiring seasonal staff. They have been busy expanding their empires.
SGB Executive Q&A: Hibbett Execs Discuss Latest Digital Initiative
The leadership team at Hibbett Sporting Goods Inc. readily acknowledges that the Birmingham, AL-based retailer has been behind the curve on digital capabilities, but Monday’s launch of new online features—Buy Online, Pick Up In Store (BOPIS) and Reserve Online, Pick Up in Store (ROPIS)—is another step in Hibbett’s plan to close the gap on its competitors.
Vail Resorts’ Shares Slip After Q4 Revenue Miss
Shares of Vail Resorts Inc. fell $11.71, or 4.1 percent, to $274.42 at market close Friday after the company reported revenue of $211.6 million for the fiscal fourth quarter ended July 31 missed Wall Street’s revenue target by $1.7 million. The Broomfield, CO-based did beat analysts’ earnings expectations by 18 cents.
SGB Executive Q&A: Burton Snowboards CMO Sarah Crockett
Sarah Crockett, Burton Snowboards’ newly appointed chief marketing officer, spoke with SGB this week—her second on the job and third in Burlington, VT—about her new role, balancing Burton’s heritage story with the company’s desire to constantly innovate and the importance of diversity in the boardroom.
The Tiger Effect: Woods’ Victory Boosts All Golf Stakeholders
When Tiger Woods won his first PGA title in five years Sunday by clinching the Tour Championship, the golf industry roared a collective “hurrah” at Woods’ victory, fully understanding that whenever Tiger makes a tournament cut and dons his signature red shirt for the Sunday round—but especially when he wins—everyone benefits.
Behind The Deal: Peak Resorts Makes Strong Play With Snow Time Acquisition
The move that Peak Resorts Inc. made Monday—the $76 million acquisition of Snow Time Inc. and its three Pennsylvania ski areas—won’t generate the same buzz as deals made by competitors such as Vail and Alterra, but the Wildwood, MO-based company’s purchase does pack plenty of punch. Company executives spoke with SGB about the purchase.