Confluence Watersports is bolstering the Harmony and Adventure Technology brands by creating an independent Accessories Division. Chris Pageau has recently been hired as general manager to lead the new division. Adventure Technology (AT), the top end paddle manufacturer in the Confluence family, is joining the rest of the Confluence brands at the Easley, S.C. production facility.
“We see huge potential in what we can offer our retail partners if we nurture and commit to these brands (AT and Harmony) with focused attention and unified leadership,” said Sue Rechner, CEO of Confluence Watersports. “Were very pleased to have Chris join the team at an early stage in the process. He brings an energy and expertise that will benefit this important sector and keep focus on maximizing the respective brands heritages.”
While the new division consists of Harmony and AT, each brand will maintain its distinct identity and autonomy. Though housed in the same building, each brand will maintain separate production areas, equipment and production teams.
AT will continue to be a boutique brand known for innovation, quality and quick turnaround. It will continue to push the bounds of design, materials and fabrication in the high performance sector. In Easley, it will have full access to the Confluence Design and R&D teams, offering an exciting opportunity to maximize the potential of this iconic brand.
“Moving AT from Hood River to South Carolina has economic benefits,” continued Rechner. “We sincerely regret that three jobs will be lost in Hood River due to the transition. On the positive side, the move encouraged us to take a renewed look at our accessories options. A central, focused division gives new vitality to the individual brands; and we expect it will ultimately reduce our retail partners shipping costs.”
Chris Pageau joins Confluence from Black & Decker and Ingersoll-Rand. He holds a BS in Marketing from Auburn University and several post-graduate certificates in business management. He moved to South Carolina this month with his fiancée and Sampson, their dog.
