Employee-owned Northwest River Supplies (NRS), a manufacturer of performance inflatable boats and SUP boards, based in Moscow, ID, and Wheat Ridge, CO-based Down River Equipment (Down River), the manufacturer and distributor of rafting and paddle sports gear for over 40 years, announced a strategic partnership.
Down River will continue operating with its established identity and customer relationships, supported by Northwest River Supplies’ expanded infrastructure, logistics and operational capabilities.
“Our industry is strongest when we’re collaborative. We need to work together to adapt as the business landscape changes,” said Mark Deming, chief marketing officer of NRS. “Down River and NRS have built a relationship based on mutual trust and respect over many years. This is about solidifying that relationship for the long haul. Our goal is to maintain continuity, enhance service and build long-term resilience for our customers, industry partners and employees.
“This partnership allows Down River to build on its foundation while strengthening the systems that support it,” said Carol Walczynski, Down River’s co-owner, chief financial officer and operations manager. “With NRS, we gain added stability and operational depth without compromising who we are. Our commitment to quality, our deep ties to the river community, and the standards that define us remain unchanged. This step ensures we can continue serving river runners with the same integrity and care for decades to come.
Phil Walczynski, CEO and Co-owner of Down River, and his wife, Carol, will remain with the company, along with most of their employees, under the new partnership with NRS. Co-owner Zach Svoboda plans to pursue a new career chapter
“Building Down River alongside Phil and Carol has been the journey of a lifetime. As I move on to my next chapter, I do so with immense pride in what we’ve accomplished and full confidence in this partnership,” said Svoboda. “NRS is the right steward to help carry our work forward, and I’m excited to see the team thrive in this next era.”
Image courtesy Northwest River Supplies / Down River Equipment
