Confluence Watersports has acquired Bomber Gear a premium, authentic paddlesports brand that specializes in the design of performance whitewater skirts and technical paddlesports apparel.
Bomber Gear will relocate from Steamboat Springs, Colo., to Confluence Watersports' headquarters in Easley, S.C. Rick Franken, founder of Bomber Gear, will relocate with his family to join the Confluence team as product development manager for Softgoods and Accessories in early January, 2011.
“Confluence is acquiring a heritage brand and product line in Bomber Gear, and also is bringing a legend in the core whitewater community into our family,” said Sue Rechner, CEO of Confluence Watersports. “This investment is in perfect alignment with the vision for our accessories business to provide a strong value proposition to our customers.”
Franken will work with Chris Pageau, Confluence Watersports general manager of Accessories.
“Acquiring Bomber Gear has given us a tremendous strategic thrust forward for our accessories,” Pageau said. “Rick will be able to focus on what he enjoys most and does best – designing cutting-edge products and bringing innovation to retailers and paddlers. Confluence gains strong design prowess and vision for our accessories division.”
Bomber Gear will round out Confluence Watersports' growing accessories division, which includes premium paddle brand Adventure Technology and value gear brand Harmony.
Franken is an accomplished professional paddler and a master cut and sew product designer. He's highly respected in the paddlesports community and has brought unmatched commitment to Bomber Gear as a company by forming his life around the needs of the company to ensure optimal quality.
When Bomber Gear was first produced in Durango, CO, Franken lived and worked with his Navajo sewing base. When Bomber Gear's production was moved to Thailand, Franken embedded his family and his life in the community in which his sewing base lived. Moving to Easley, S.C., to join Confluence is an extension of his dedication to live and work with the team that will be furthering the Bomber Gear name under Confluence Watersports.
“I'm honored to bring the company I've shepherded for nearly a decade into Confluence Watersports,” said Franken. “This is a company full of dedicated, genuine individuals who are truly passionate about getting people on the water and enthusiastic about enriching the paddling experience. Bomber Gear has found a home in Confluence, one that will allow it to become what we've always envisioned.”
Confluence Watersports' other brands include Wilderness Systems, Perception, Dagger, Wave Sport and Mad River Canoe boats.
