Pride Manufacturing LLC announced the acquisition of Softspikes Inc. As part of the acquisition, Pride assumes ownership of Sport Holdings Inc., which includes Softspikes Inc., as well as Trisport Ltd. of England, the leading manufacturer of cleats and receptacles for the worldwide golf market.
The new company, which will employ nearly 600 people at seven facilities throughout the United States and England, will go by the name of Pride/Softspikes. It will include a Pride Golf Products Division, which will encompass all sales and marketing operations for the Pride and Softspikes brands. TriSport Ltd. will also operate under the Pride/Softspikes umbrella.
Randy Ellis, current president and CEO of Pride, will become president and CEO of Pride/Softspikes. Bob Burr, a veteran Pride executive, will assume the position of senior vice president of Pride/Softspikes, and will direct all sales, marketing and associated operations. Rick Oleksyk, current Softspikes president, will become the president of the Pride Golf Products Division, while Softspikes Brian Golden will continue his responsibilities as vice president of OEM Sales for Pride/Softspikes. Additionally, Jon Hyman, current CEO of Sport Holdings Inc., will continue with the company as an advisor representing the OEM market.
Pride/Softspikes corporate headquarters will be based in Guilford, with an office in Gaithersburg. The company will also maintain manufacturing operations in Guilford; Burnham, Maine; Florence, Wis.; and Tampa, Fla.; and a distribution and R&D facility in Boise, Idaho. Tri-Sport’s manufacturing operation will remain in Tamworth, England.
