Johnson Outdoors' Watercraft Division is joining the Retailers of the Outdoor Industry (ROI) buying group as an official vendor. ROI is composed of independent, entrepreneurial outdoor retailers and is the premiere buying group in the outdoor specialty marketplace.
Johnson Outdoors Inc. is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of outdoor recreation products in the outdoor equipment, watercraft, diving and motorsports industries. As a member of ROIs Vendor Program, Johnson Outdoors Inc. gains direct access to the industrys strongest specialty outdoor retail storefronts.
According to Duane Collins, sales representative from Johnson Outdoors Watercraft Division, signing on as a Vendor Program member with ROI will enable the company to quickly reach its long-term goals in the specialty-outdoor space.
“ROI members are the professional retailers that are hands-on with their products and in the field with their customers,” Collins said. “Building a partnership between our two organizations will help us address the outdoor specialty customers needs with very rapid results.”
The deal signals continuing momentum for ROI, said Dawson Wheeler, Chairman of the ROI Vendor Committee.
“Johnson Outdoors Inc. has a strong focus on the specialty outdoor market, which makes them a solid partner in paddlesports for ROI,” Wheeler said.
Training programs are already being put in place through the Southeastern rep agencies of Johnson Outdoors Inc. to train ROI Member store buyers to the Johnson business model and programs.
ROI Member retailers develop strategic relationships with ROI Vendors that are conducive to stronger business development, differentiation at retail, and brand support with the consumer base.
Here is a list of ROIs 2006 Vendor Program Members:
Asolo Camelbak Chaco Deuter Ex Officio Gregory High Gear Ibex Kelty Life-Link Lowa Marmot Montrail Mountain Hardware Mountainsmith OluKai Optic Nerve POE Patagonia Pearl Izumi Royal Robbins Salomon Smartwool Smith Optics Thule TImbuk2 Tilley Hats Tsubo Vasque Wigwam
