Burton has begun transitioning The Program, which includes snowboard brands Forum, Special Blend and Foursquare, from its Irvine, CA offices to Burtons Burlington, Vermont headquarters. The company said the transition will be complete by early February and will allow The Program to invest more in developing great products and marketing while reducing overhead costs, which is critical during challenging economic periods.
“In tough times like these, we need to be very strategic and efficient so we can continue to invest in our core strengths like product development and marketing, and this move allows us to do just that,” says The Program GM Sam Paschel. “In Burlington, The Program will benefit from over 30 years of Burtons product development, sales and operations expertise while enjoying easy access to Burtons shared services. And it will be great to have the company close to the mountains where we can easily test product on snow.”
Burton said retailers and riders will also benefit from the move as The Program will operate more efficiently when it is next door to Burton Headquarters. Ultimately, the move will result in better product at a better price and improved product delivery times.
The company also said there are no plans to change the distinct personality of the Program brands, and marketing functions will remain separate from Burton. The current Forum, Special Blend and Foursquare pro snowboarders will stay the same, and Program Team Management staff will remain in Southern California.
