New Era Plan To Close Derby Plant Causes Political Brouhaha

A number of legislators and union officials decried New Era’s plan to close its manufacturing plant in Derby, NY, the company’s only headwear-manufacturing facility in the U.S. Charles Schumer, the Senate Minority Leader who represents New York, said, “This is devastating news for Buffalo. I sincerely hope that New Era, a hometown Buffalo company, will reconsider.”

Nike To Open Nike NYC On Thursday

Nike Inc. will open its newest Nike House of Innovation, on Thursday as Nike NYC: a 68,000 sq. ft., six-level, cross-category premium Nike store located at 650 Fifth Ave. Nike NYC is “the pinnacle expression of modern retail, representing the best of Nike global product, experiences and sport innovation.,” according to a statement.

Nike Names Craig Williams President Of Jordan Brand

Nike Inc. announced that effective Jan. 14, 2019, Craig A. Williams will become president of Jordan Brand. Williams joins Jordan Brand from The Coca-Cola Co., where he most recently served as senior vice president, The Coca-Cola Co. and president of The McDonald’s Division (TMD) Worldwide.

New Era Considering Closing Derby, NY Plant

New Era Cap Co., which is headquartered in Buffalo, said it is considering closing its manufacturing plant in Derby, NY, effective March 2019. A total of 219 jobs will be impacted. The plant represents New Era’s only headwear-manufacturing facility in the U.S.

BSN Sports Acquires B&H Sports In Grand Junction, CO

BSN Sports, a division of Varsity Brands, today announced that it has finalized the acquisition of Mountain Mesa Sports, Inc. dba B&H Sports based in Grand Junction, CO. B&H, which has served athletic and team Sports customers since 1980, is the leading distributor of team sports apparel and equipment in the Western Slope region of Colorado.

Life Fitness Sees Connectivity Driving Fitness Equipment Growth

In essentially its initial public offering, Life Fitness Holdings, the commercial fitness equipment leader being spun off from Brunswick Corp., predicted generally modest growth for the fitness equipment sector overall in the years ahead. But the company expects to continue to grab share through its reach into an increasingly digitized commercial fitness landscape.

New Iconix CEO Seeks More Global Approach

Noting that the majority of the company’s 29 brands “have more mindshare than closet share,” Bob Galvin in his first conference call as president and CEO of Iconix Brand Group Inc. promised to push collaboration among licensing partners in a more unified approach. Unfortunately, a bad debt charge from Sears’ bankruptcy stalled progress in the latest quarter.

Nike NYC To Debut In November

In a blog entry discussing the importance of brick & mortar stores in connecting with consumers, Heidi O’Neill, president of Nike Direct, said the new Nike NYC flagship will be opening in New York City this month.

Brunswick Registers Fitness Division Spinoff With SEC

Brunswick Corp. (BC) announced the filing of an initial Form 10 registration statement (Form 10) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in connection with the planned separation of the company’s Fitness division into an independent, publicly traded company, to be named Life Fitness Holdings Inc.