Johnson Outdoors Inc. has sold its Lendal brand and all of its assets to Celtic Paddles LTD, owned and operated by Nigel Dennis, renowned sea kayak adventurer and designer. The deal was signed and closed on May 6, 2010.
In 2009, Johnson Outdoors launched a comprehensive initiative to significantly reduce cost and complexity, optimize synergies and assets and dramatically improve profitability of its Watercraft unit. In addition to restructuring and operational consolidation, the company aligned R&D, sales and marketing efforts behind a more focused, more profitable line-up of paddle sport products.
“Johnson Outdoors has earned a reputation as one of the world’s premier recreational paddle sports companies,” said Kelly Grindle, Senior Group Vice president, Marine Electronics and Watercraft for Johnson Outdoors. “This transaction reinforces our commitment to focus resources on bringing forward new products that strengthen our core brand equities and grow our customers’ business. The Lendal brand of paddles is well-suited to the Nigel Dennis portfolio, and marks a return to its roots as a respected U.K. brand.”
Johnson Outdoor's watercraft segment continues to make Necky, Ocean Kayak and Old Town boats, Carlisle paddles and Extrasport PFDs.
