Russell Athletic to Close Alex City Plant

Russell Athletic plans to close a woven plant in Alexander City, GA, on July 1. About 250 jobs are affected. Rick Medlin, executive vice president of manufacturing, said the closing is related to the general economic downturn…

Orange 21 2008 Loss Nearly Doubles

Orange 21 Inc., which owns Spy Optic, reported sales rose 2% to $47.3 million in 2008 from $46.5 million for 2007. The action sports company incurred a net loss of $15.2 million for the year ended Dec. 31 compared to a net loss of $8.0 million for the yea

Gwen Manto Exits Dick’s SG

Gwen Manto left her role as EVP and chief merchandising officer of Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc., effective April 13. According to a filing with the SEC, DKS does not expect to replace her in this position but will instead realign its merchandising org

Nautilus Takes Action Against Counterfeiters

Nautilus, Inc. has filed suit against importer/distributor, SC Excel Technology, Inc. (dba Duro Fitness) of Montreal, Canada and obtained an Anton Piller order to enter its premises and seize counterfeit goods and relevant records. The suit was filed aft

Bakers Footwear Earnings Plunge in Q4, Comps up 3.6%

Bakers Footwear Group, Inc. reported net income for the quarter plunged to $0.5 million or 7 cents per share from $7.3 million, or $1.03 per share in last year's fourth quarter. Results for the prior year period included a gain of $4.8 million or 67

Genesco Investor Files Lawsuit Against UBS Securities

An investor in Genesco Inc. shares has filed a proposed securities class action against UBS Securities, LLC on behalf of all holders of the common stock of Genesco, Inc. The lawsuit stems from its terminated merger with The Finish Line…

Burton Merges Down Under Opens

Burton said that instead of having two events down under in 2009, it has decided to combine the Australian Open and the New Zealand Open into one premier Southern Hemisphere event taking place in New Zealand…

Big City Mountaineers Celebrates 20th Anniversary

In 2009, Big City Mountaineers will mark 20 years of enhancing the lives of under-resourced urban teens through transformative outdoor experiences. Since 1989, BCM has worked to offer a new perspective to teens through weeklong wilderness backpacking and

Outdoor Companies Honored on Best Places to Work List

Deckers Outdoor, Mountain Hardwear, Clif Bar, Smartwool and several other companies recently announced their inclusion in Outside Magazine's 2009 list of “Best Places to Work.” Deckers was ranked No. 26 out of 30 selected companies, while Mountain Ha

Gwen Manto Exits Dick’s Sporting Goods

Gwendolyn Manto has left her role as EVP and chief merchandising officer of Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc., effective April 13, 2009. According to a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, the retailer does not expect to replace her in this po

Viridian Green Laser Sights Hires New Marketing Firms

Viridian Green Laser Sights, a subsidiary of Laser Aiming Systems Corporation, has the hired two new sales and marketing groups-H&G Marketing and ProActive Sales and Marketing. ProActive will have account responsibilities in the southeast while H&G will p

Michigan’s Frey Foundation Gives $160,000 Grant to DU

A major environmental effort in southwestern Michigan recently got a boost. The conservation organization Ducks Unlimited (DU) received a grant of $160,000 from the Frey Foundation. The grant will be used to protect and restore valuable habitat through DU