Sports Distributors of Canada Ltd. (SDC) plans to appoint Brad Hause as president, effective Sept. 6, 2011. SDC is a member-owned buying group comprised of over 200 locally owned retail locations operating under the Source For Sports and Source For Adventure brands.
“Brad will work alongside retiring President Randy Hooper throughout the fall,” says Kevin Bezanson, Chairperson of Sports Distributors of Canada. “Our search has been an extensive and comprehensive process. Were very excited and confident that weve found the best person to fill the large shoes Randy is leaving.” Bezanson is President of Nova Scotia based SDC member Cleve’s Source For Sports.
A proven executive with an impressive track record of growth and success for the brands he has been associated with, Brad joins SDC from consumer goods giant SC Johnson. Having completed his MBA at the Richard Ivey School of Business, The University of Western Ontario, he most recently held the position of Senior Brand Manager – Scrubbing Bubbles® and led the team in charge of the $200M brand. Brad’s experience at SC Johnson included new product launches, advertising and promotion, brand strategy, budget management, distribution and sales.
Brad is no stranger to SDC, having worked as a hard goods buyer at London’s Source For Sports® for eight years prior to joining SC Johnson. Under Brad’s buying and merchandising leadership, ski business grew by 57%, snowboard by 250% and inline skate sales by 500%.
“Source For Sports® and Source For Adventure® are entrepreneur-owned brands successfully competing and succeeding against large, big box operators,” says Brad Hause, incoming President. “Im looking forward to working with our members to ensure that success grows.” SDC President of 37 years, Randy Hooper will officially retire in December 2011 after working with Hause throughout the fall to ensure a smooth transition. “Brad understands our business, he understands the challenges of our Members, he appreciates the family culture of our group and he is committed to maintaining it,” says Hooper. “I have no doubt that the SDC business and the Source For Sports® and Source For Adventure® brands are in the hands of a very capable leader,” he adds.
Sports Distributors of Canada (SDC) is a member-owned buying group representing over 200 retail locations across Canada. SDC began as a small collection of stores in the 1960’s, banding together to create stronger collective buying power. The SDC head office is located in Burlington Ontario, with a staff of 20 operating a general sporting goods division under the brand Source For Sports® and an outdoor division under the brand Source For Adventure®. SDC is the champion of the independent retailer as each store in the buying group is independently owned and operated by members of the local community.
