Confluence Outdoor is shutting down its Bomber Gear apparel brand and ending distribution of its Wave Sport whitewater boats in North America so it can shift more resources toward its rapidly growing SUP and kayak fishing businesses, the company's CEO announced to employees this week.

“By consolidating our brand portfolio, we will be able deepen our commitment to the fastest growing sectors of paddlesports-SUP and kayak fishing-while continuing to drive our market-dominant recreation and touring business,” Confluence Oudoor CEO Sue Rechner wrote in a memo to the company's employees. “With increased capital expenditures and investment planned for design, engineering, materials and human ingenuity, we are confident in our ability to continue to deliver innovative, market-right products for our retailers and consumers.”

Here is the full text of Rechner's memo:

A note from Sue:
 
Confluence Outdoor Announces Major Investment + Changes for Future Growth

Confluence Outdoor is creating a solid foundation for responding to business and industry growth and driving toward our 5-year plan goals by setting priorities and focusing resources. To support these plans, we are making a multi-million dollar investment in people, equipment and systems.
 
In the last year, we have added new leadership in production, purchasing, operations, and finance.  We have also recently made a $1.5M investment in additional manufacturing equipment that will allow us to increase capacity by 39% to substantially improve our responsiveness to in-season demand. We will also begin our ERP system upgrade project so that we can fully maximize our efficiency and responsiveness, as well as make well-informed  decisions.
 
In support of our goals for growth and diversification, we have an exciting and aggressive five-year plan in place which maps our direction and priorities, enabling us to keep pace with our rapid momentum. We have made great progress on many of our key initiatives: operational improvements, new market-driving products, and the recent acquisition of Boardworks Surf. These are important steps in the realization of that plan.
 
We have achieved our stature as one of the oldest and most successful paddlesports companies by continually evaluating our strengths and prioritizing our efforts to deliver what the consumer is asking for. This discipline of focus will also ensure our future success. As part of this process, we have reached decisions impacting two of our esteemed brands: Wave Sport and Bomber Gear.
 
Effective with the new retail season, Bomber Gear will cease distribution and no longer be sold in North American or international markets. As a thank you, a portion of all sale proceeds on bombergear.com, from 7/10-9/7, will be donated to the national non-profit, American Whitewater.
 
In addition, Wave Sport will concentrate on the large European whitewater market-where the brand enjoys great popularity and offers continued retail opportunity-and will no longer be sold to North American retailers. Working in conjunction with our long-standing international partners, we are excited about the continued development and growth of the brand in Europe.
We will work closely with our international partners to ensure the brand’s continued development and growth in Europe.
 
The shift for Wave Sport allows us to place significant resources and amplified focus on the entire Dagger brand, including performance whitewater models. Dagger will deliver on the promise of its whitewater roots with renewed vigor and innovative spirit. We already have a competition-level play boat in the works using new materials and will be working with Team Dagger on the development of a race boat. 
 
By consolidating our brand portfolio, we will be able deepen our commitment to the fastest growing sectors of paddlesports-SUP and kayak fishing-while continuing to drive our market-dominant recreation and touring business. With increased capital expenditures and investment planned for design, engineering, materials and human ingenuity, we are confident in our ability to continue to deliver innovative, market-right products for our retailers and consumers.
 
We honor the legacy of Wave Sport, Bomber Gear, and all the people behind these brands who have contributed to the sport. We want to particularly thank the Bomber Gear design team, our devoted Bomber Gear and Wave Sport team athletes and ambassadors, as well as the retailers who have been loyal to these brands. It is our intention to carry the essence of that heritage and passion forward. In the context of a vibrant paddlesports market and our goal of becoming a diversified outdoor sports company, we’re excited and optimistic about these brand changes. They allow us to concentrate our efforts on where we can have the biggest and most positive impact.
 
We are excited to be focusing our energy and investments in delivering to our customers and consumers the best and most innovative products from the top brands in the industry.
 
Sincerely,
 
Sue Rechner
 
President + CEO
Confluence Outdoor