U.S. Port Workers and Operators Reach Deal to Suspend East Coast Strike
In a joint statement on the evening of October 3, the ILA and USMX reached a tentative agreement on wages and extended the group’s “Master Contract” until January 15, 2025, when they will return to the bargaining table to negotiate all other outstanding issues.
Thermore Invisiloft: High Warmth with Minimal Thickness
Thermore Group, a Milan-based manufacturer of thermal insulation alternatives for performance apparel since 1972, has launched Invisiloft, a slim insulation that combines “exceptional warmth with unprecedented thinness.”
Puma #Know Your Stuff: Real leather vs Vegan Leather Debate
The educational content series from Puma explores the conversation surrounding manufacturing goods with leather versus vegan leather and the environmental impact of each, created with input from Aishwarya Sharma, a Puma “Voices of a Re:Generation” and global goals ambassador.
Report: Growing Participation Rates Supporting Outdoor Rec Sales and M&A
Capstone suggested that financial performance across the sector is expected to improve as firms work through excess inventories, limit promotion activity, and mitigate margin pressures.
Academy Sports’ Debt Ratings Raised by S&P
S&P Global Ratings raised Academy Sports And Outdoor Inc.’s debt rating because the retailer has sustained S&P’s adjusted leverage well below the 2x area despite modest EBITDA margin contraction.
GSM Outdoors Acquisition by Platinum Equity is Finalized
GSM Outdoors, headquartered in Irving, TX, owns over 50 outdoor brands. Previous owner Gridiron Capital acquired GSM in 2020. CEO Eddie Castro will continue to lead the company.
Report: Holiday Shopping Intentions Driven by Consumer Optimism, Quest for Value
This year’s household food and grocery costs will impact holiday shopping for 62 percent of consumers, but more holiday shoppers, 57 percent, feel positive about personal finances than in 2023.
NSSF: NICS Background Checks Moderate in September
The 1.3 percent gain marks a sequential deceleration from increases of 8.3 percent in August and 4.0 percent in July, although the July figure had marked the first year-over-year monthly increase since December 2023.
GSM Outdoors Acquires Roboworm
Roboworm has produced hundreds of millions of bass worms. “When you think of impactful soft plastic brands in the bass fishing space, you can’t have the conversation without talking about Roboworm.” —Crispin Powley, SVP of fishing, GSM
Scent Thief Retains New Sales Rep Group
The maker of scent control technology for the hunting industry retained The Outdoor Business Solutions Group, founded by Bill Harris and Brad Schorr, as its sales rep agency.
Compass Diversified Acquires Lifoam Industries
Compass Diversified announced that its subsidiary, Altor Solutions, a manufacturer of custom protective and cold-chain packaging solutions for the industrial and life sciences markets, completed its previously announced acquisition of Lifoam Industries, LLC.
CheaperThanDirt Acquired by 2A Group
Based in Fort Worth, TX, the CheaperThanDirt.com brand offers a wide range of ammunition, shooting accessories, and outdoor gear. It began as a mail-order catalog business in the early 90s.
USA Archery Appoints Four New Staff Members
The four new employees and roles include Kyle Bissell (Education Manager), Allison Collins (International teams manager), Madison Cox (State and Local event manager), and Amanda Mangum (director of events). USAA also promoted Brad Fiala to national events manager.
Dockworkers Now on Strike at East and Gulf Coast Ports
The strike spans from Maine to Texas and blocks everything from food to auto shipments across dozens of ports. Analysts have warned that this could cost the economy billions of dollars a day, threaten jobs and potentially stoke inflation.
GSM Outdoors Acquires K&E Tackle
The company continues to grow its portfolio with the acquisition of K&E Tackle, whose brands include Stopper Lures, Carlisle Floats, Bear Creek, Best Tackle, and Arnold Tackle.
