PrimaLoft, Inc. inked a licensing agreement with Fiberpartner, a global supplier of stapled fibers, technical yarns and plastics. The agreement allows Fiberpartner to develop the use of Primaloft’s PrimaLoft Bio technology in multiple new industries.
Category: Outdoor

2020 Bicycle Leadership Conference Going Virtual
The 2020 Bicycle Leadership Conference (BLC), which had been rescheduled to September 29 – October 1, will move to an online interactive “Virtual BLC” due to COVID-19.

Winnebago Debt Ratings Upgraded Near-Term RV Demand
S&P Global Ratings said it is revising its outlook on the debt ratings of Winnebago Industries to stable from negative. The rating’s agency believes RV demand could grow at least over the next few months as new buyers entering the market offset high unemployment.

PeopleForBikes President Announces Retirement
After 16 years at the helm of PeopleForBikes and four decades working in the bike industry, President Tim Blumenthal has announced his retirement. Jenn Dice, the organization’s COO, will become president and CEO on July 1.

Pocket Outdoor Media Acquires Three Divisions From Active Interest Media
Pocket Outdoor Media (POM), the endurance sports media platform, announced the acquisition of the Healthy Living, Fitness, and Outdoor divisions of Active Interest Media (AIM). Included in the AIM acquisition are: Yoga Journal, SKI, Climbing, Backpacker, Warren Miller Entertainment, Oxygen, IDEA Health and Fitness Association, Clean Eating, Vegetarian Times, Better Nutrition, NatuRx, Muscle & Performance, Nastar, Fly Fishing Film Tour, National Park Trips, and SNEWS.

OIA Commends House Climate Crisis Action Plan
The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) commended the House of Representatives Select Committee on the Climate Crisis for releasing its action plan to solve the climate crisis. The goal of its roadmap is to “build a prosperous, clean energy economy that values workers, advances environmental justice, and is prepared to meet the challenges of the climate crisis.”

Grand Trunk Under New Ownership
Grand Trunk, the hammock and adventure travel goods business based in Skokie, IL, has been acquired by a team of Utah-based entrepreneurs. Co-founder, Kevin Kaiser will remain with the business moving forward. The new owners include Andy Stroman, founder of the outdoor specialty retailer CampSaver.com, and brothers Bruce and Dale Majors, who previously built and grew Bikewagon.com.

Winnebago To Sell $300 Million In Senior Secured Notes
Winnebago Industries Inc. announced today that it intends to offer $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes due 2028.

Adidas, Arc’teryx, Vans, Lululemon Join Faceook Boycott
Adidas, Reebok, Lululemon, Arc’teryx and MEC have joined the boycott of Facebook after six civil rights groups called on businesses to stop advertising on Facebook in July to push the social network to do more to combat hate speech and misinformation.

Survey: A Third Of Supply Chain Leaders Exiting China By 2023
A Gartner Inc. survey of 260 global supply chain leaders in February and March 2020 found that 33 percent had moved sourcing and manufacturing activities out of China or plan to do so in the next two to three years. Survey results show that the COVID-19 pandemic is only one of several disruptions that have put global supply chains under pressure.

MEC Delays Annual Meeting Amid Coronavirus Challenges
MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op), Canada’s largest outdoor chain with 22 stores, has postponed its annual general meeting until December 10 is it works to manage challenges related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Exped USA Appoints Sales Director
Exped USA, the maker of expedition equipment, hired Tracy Collins, as sales director. She was at REI.

VF Plans Re-Org To Support Greater China, Emerging Brands Growth
VF plans to hire its first president, Greater China. Kevin Bailey, executive vice president & Group President, APAC, will continue leading the Asia Pacific Region but will relocate to Denver, CO where he will also assume leadership of the company’s Emerging Brands platform including Altra, Eagle Creek, JanSport, and Smartwool brands as well as Kipling and Icebreaker brands in the Americas Region.

ABG To Change Name Of Its Gravel, Mountain Bike Brand
American Bicycle Group (ABG) announced that it will change the name of its gravel and mountain bike, currently branded Ocoee. The name will be changed out of respect for the African American lives lost in the 1920 Ocoee (FL) Election Day lynching and burning of the community.

Deckers Brands Appoints Independent Director
Deckers Brands announced the appointment of Victor Luis to its Board of Directors. Coinciding with this appointment, Deckers also announced that James Quinn has resigned from its Board.