Speedo Sales Dip 12% in 2007…

Speedo revenues for 2007 fell 12%, or about $30 million, primarily due to a reduction in shipments to clubs. On a positive note, Warnaco, its parent, noted that Speedo's shipments to its team dealer network and sporting goods stores were up 3%, and S

OBIT: Dennis Charles “O’D” O’Donnell

Dennis Charles O’Donnell passed away due to respiratory failure from ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, on February 16, 2008, leaving behind family, friends and business associates, all who knew him as “O’D”…

Outdoor Industry Association Forms PAC

The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) board of directors has approved the formation of the OIA Political Action Committee. The new political action committee, known as OIAPAC, will support candidates seeking election to Congress or the presidency…

Montrail Marketing Functions Folded into Mountain Hardware

Columbia Sportswear Company said it will place all sales, marketing and service functions for Montrail Inc. under the management team of Mountain Hardwear Inc. effective May 1. The move is designed to better align the two brands and streamline operations

Columbia Realigns Montrail Under Mountain Hardwear

Columbia Sportswear Company announced that effective May 1, 2008, all sales, marketing and service functions for Montrail Inc. will be realigned under the management team of Mountain Hardwear Inc. Montrail product sourcing functions will remain under Colu

Former Rockport President Joins Nine West

Nine West Group, a division of Jones Apparel Group, Inc., appointed Richard Paterno, as president, Wholesale Better Footwear Brands, effective March 31. In this newly created role, Paterno will oversee sales management and business strategy for Nine West&

Julbo Hires Alta Group as Northwest Agency

Julbo, Inc., based in Williston, VT, named Alta Group, Inc. as the company’s sales representative agency for the Northwest. Composed of Dave Haavik, his business partner Dave Allan, and Matt Lewis, the Alta Group covers the states of Washington, Oregon, M

Accell Profits Rise 33% and Will Fuel Acquisitions

Dutch bike maker Accell Group N.V. reported record profits and sales for 2007. Accell said net profits rose 33% to € 24.4 million ($33.5mm) on a 10.3% increase in turnover to € 476.1 million ($655.8mm). The company, which said Wednesday it bought a German

Selle Royal Completes crankbrothers Merger

Italian saddle and accesories maker Selle Royal S.p.A. has completed its merger with peddal maker crankbrothers, inc. This deal added crankbrothers to Selle Royal’s group of premium cycling companies which include fi’zi:k, Brooks, and Selle Royal. Crankbr

K-Swiss Sees Tough End to Tough Year

K•Swiss Inc. saw net earnings for the fourth quarter drop 94.4% to $596,000 from $10.7 million last year as total worldwide revenues decreased 16.7% to $78.2 million from $93.8 million in the prior-year period. Total worldwide revenues for 2007 decreased

MLS Partners With GSI Commerce

GSI Commerce Inc. has become the new, full-service e-commerce solution provider for Major League Soccer (MLS) recently re-launching the league's Web store at http://www.mlsgear.com. With the addition of MLS, GSI provides e-commerce solutions for near

Marines Order More Danner Boots

LaCrosse Footwear Inc. landed another contract to supply boots to U.S. Marines abroad. The company said its Danner subsidiary has received orders for nearly 9,000 pairs worth $1.3 million to keep U.S. servicemen's feet safe from both the cold and the

Play it Again Parent Sees Q4 Gains…

Winmark Corp., the parent of Play it Again Sports, reported Q4 sales rose 16.6% to $8 million from $6.9 million. Q4 earnings for the franchisor inched up 4.4% to $853,000, or 15 cents a share, from $817,000, or 14 cents, a year ago…