Integrity Outdoor Brands has successfully completed an amicable partnership separation between GCI Outdoor, Inc and RIO Brands, LLC, Integrity’s board of directors announced.
Supply of all product to Integrity customers will continue to flow on time and without interruption and will transition to the two standalone operating companies.
Going forward, the brands GCI Outdoor and Rio Adventure will be supplied by GCI Outdoor, Inc and Rio Brands, LLC respectively, and each company will continue to supply camping furniture with their own distinct strategies on marketing and product development.
The separation comes at the expiration of the joint venture contract. The parties collectively agreed that the independent brands would enjoy stronger sustained long-term success and market identity with increased new product focus from the companies and custom brand strategies.
GCI Outdoor-the company and the brand — will continue its dependence on high quality, home-grown innovation and market leadership in portable recreation gear. GCI Outdoor products are sold in Specialty Outdoor and Specialty Sporting Goods retailers across the country and abroad.
The Rio Adventure brand will continue and thrive as a standalone sporting goods brand within the larger company Rio Brands LLC, continuing a legacy of offering high quality products at outstanding values. RIO Brands products are sold in the largest retailers in the US.
“We wish our colleagues at RIO Brands continued success. They are a strong 60-year company, says Jeff Polke, Co-President GCI Outdoor.
GCI Outdoor is young company with the energy and drive to be a success on its own. It has been a successful run in partnership for all, but both parties now feel we can serve our markets best with differing strategies and business models. We wish them the best, says Warren Cohen, President and CEO of Rio Brands, LLC.
