Penguin Brands, Inc. has acquired Waterbox through its Nathan Performance Gear subsdiary and named Waterbox founder Canice Harte as vice-president of licensing and innovation.
By acquiring Waterbox and hiring Harte, Penguin Brands continues its focus on driving growth through innovative entrepreneurship.
“We're on the brink of dynamic change and growth at Penguin, an undertaking that requires a committed and renewed investment in the company,” says Jon Reichlin, Penguin Brands†president and CEO. “With the hiring of an entrepreneur and innovator like Canice, we've taken a huge step – the first of many we will be announcing – to move Penguin Brands dramatically forward in the ranks of leading consumer brands.”
Penguin Brands said it has doubled its sales and expanded its distribution into 37 countries since 2005. Under Reichlinâ€s leadership, the firm has undertaken a plan of acquisition, partnership, and internal innovation to drive performance and build strong brands.
“We're at the point in our company where we want only game-changers, and thatâ€s what Canice is � someone who can inherently push our company forward in new and exciting directions,” says Reichlin. “I look forward to him challenging us and our already dedicated and hard-working team to achieve even greater levels of creativity and success.”
Harte brings 15 years experience of entrepreneurship, international and domestic sales, and leadership in the sporting goods and outdoor industries to this new position, which he assumes effective immediately.
“Penguin Brands already has the magical combination of great brands and great people, and when you put those two together, the possibilities are endless,” says Harte. “I am looking forward to harnessing the talent already in place to super-charge product development and sales. We have some fantastic ideas already in development and it is a very exciting time.”
Harte successfully launched Waterbox in 2008 with retail giants Pottery Barn Teen, REI, EMS, City Sports, Paragon Sports and Sports Chalet. He then went on to realize double digit growth every year following and secured a contract to license the Skechers brand in the U.S.
Prior to founding Waterbox, Harte held executive leadership and sales positions at Salomon, Patagonia, Rossignol, Sierra Designs, and The North Face.
In addition to Penguin Shoe Care and Nathan, Penguin Brands is the parent company of Sorbothane Performance Insoles, Penguin Apparel Care, Tectron Fabric Treatments, Fetish Shoe Care, NewRide Shoe Care, and the official licensee of Ironman Reflective and Hydration Gear.
