Solo Brands, Inc., parent of the Solo Stove, Chubbies, Oru Kayak, Isle, and Icy Breeze brands, appointed Chris Metz as CEO and director of the Board, effective January 15, 2024. 

Metz succeeds John Merris, who will mutually separate from the company, effective as of the same date.

Metz reportedly has over 25 years of experience leading consumer and durable goods companies. Most recently, he was CEO of Vista Outdoor, Inc. During his five and a half years at the company, he strategically repositioned it into a leading outdoor products company. 

Metz reportedly has over 25 years of experience leading consumer and durable goods companies. Most recently, he was CEO of Vista Outdoor, Inc. 

According to a release from Solo Brands, during his five and a half years as CEO at Vista, he strategically repositioned and transformed it into a leading outdoor products company. Under his leadership, Vista grew revenue and profits to historic highs while deleveraging the company’s balance sheet through record cash flow generation. Metz drove the transformation of Vista through organic growth, direct-to-consumer initiatives, strategic acquisitions and astute capital deployment.”

 “We are thrilled to welcome Chris to Solo Brands as our new CEO,” said Matt Hamilton, Solo Brands’ Board of Directors chairman. “Chris is known for building high-performing teams, driving growth and transforming companies. His experience across leading outdoor products companies, including Vista Outdoor, makes him the perfect leader for Solo Brands’ future. Our Board is confident that Chris is the right person to grow shareholder value.”

“I am honored to be appointed as Solo Brands’ next president and CEO,” Metz commented. “Solo Brands is a unique business with strong brands that have tremendous potential and a long runway for growth. I look forward to leading the company in its next chapter.”

Matt Hamilton added, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank John Merris for his leadership over the past several years, including taking Solo Brands public. John was instrumental in building Solo Brands into the company it is today. His passion and enthusiasm for our brands will be missed. We wish him all the best for the next step in his career.”

“I am grateful for the amazing blessing it has been to lead Solo Brands over the past five years,” John Merris. “I want to thank our Board of Directors for their partnership, our team for their incredible work and passion, and our customers for making this journey possible in the first place. I am excited to watch as Solo continues to grow under new leadership and feel confident I am leaving the company in great hands.”

Guidance Update for Fiscal Year 2023:

  • Revenue is expected to be between $490 million and $500 million; this compares to our previous guidance of $520 million to $540 million, and
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin is expected to be in the range of 14 percent to 15 percent; this compares to our previous guidance of 17 percent to 18 percent.

“Our fourth quarter results came in below expectations as we experienced softer-than-anticipated sales in our direct channel,” shared Andrea Tarbox, interim CFO, “While our unique marketing campaigns raised brand awareness of Solo Stove to an expanded and new audience of consumers, it did not lead to the sales lift that we had planned, which, combined with the increased marketing investments, negatively impacted our EBITDA. We believe there is a significant opportunity for us to build awareness and that these new campaigns will expand our reach and benefit our brands over the long term.”

Images courtesy Solo Brands, Chris Metz/LinkedIn