Rapala VMC Mourns Passing of Long-Time CEO and Former Chair Jorma Kasslin
Jorma Kasslin reportedly died suddenly after a brief illness on April 14. Kasslin was 70 years old and had been a member of Rapala VMC’s Board since 1998, serving as chairman from 2016 to 2018 and as president and CEO from 1998 to 2016.
Report: First Quarter Results Show Economy is Slowing but “Remains Resilient”
Economic growth slowed during the first three months of the year, but consumers are still spending more than last year, according to recent comments from National Retail Federation (NRF) Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz.
Freaks of Nature Co-Founder Kelly Slater Launches First Products
Surfing legend and ocean conservationist, Kelly Slater, launched a new skincare brand, Freaks of Nature for the outdoor athlete. Other investors include Mike Meldman, co-founder of Casamigos Tequila and Founder of Discovery Land, and actor and filmmaker Jonah Hill.
Nordstrom, Inc. to Open New Rack Location in Minnesota
The new 30,000-square-foot Nordstrom Rack store will be in Apple Valley, MN, and it is scheduled to open in spring 2025 in the Fischer Marketplace.
Recall: Arctic Cat Snowmobiles
Arctic Cat has received more than 200 reports of clutch failures, including six where clutch fragments hit consumers. Four of those included reports of minor foot and toe injuries.
EXEC: Black Diamond Returns to U.S. Growth in Q1, Posting DD Gain as Inventory Clears
By fall of 2025, all of our apparel and packs will be PFAS free, but there will likely be some residual PFAS inventory to clear in the first half of next year. BDE also made to exit the ski bindings business in the first quarter.
Czechoslovak Group Names CEO of CSG USA
Paul Lemke is responsible for identifying opportunities for growth and innovation and for developing strategic trade relationships with key business segments, including the U.S. Armed Forces, law enforcement and other government agencies.
Kent Outdoors Hires Chief Supply Chain Officer
Dave D’Angelo brings over 25 years of experience in manufacturing, global operations and supply chain optimization to the company.
ZeroTech Optics Appoints Lead for International Sales
Before ZeroTech, James Head worked at Lightforce Group, the distributor of Nightforce in Australia, where he “significantly contributed to the expansion and success of the brand’s market reach.”
NSSF: April Adjusted NICS Background Checks Decline 11.2 Percent
For comparison, the unadjusted April 2024 FBI NICS figure of 2,240,434 reflects a 14.4 percent decrease from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 2,616,729 in April 2023.
Vista Outdoor Divests RCBS from Revelyst Outdoor Segment
RCBS manufactures ammunition reloading equipment for hunters, competition shooters and sporting enthusiasts. Through this transaction, Revelyst reported that it “found the right home for RCBS with Hodgdon.
Johnson Outdoors Profits Shrink on Mid-Teens Decline in Fiscal Q2 Sales
More than half of Camping’s decline was said to be due to the divestiture of the company’s Military and Commercial Tents (Eureka!) business last year and Diving sales were impacted by geopolitical issues affecting travel to certain regions of the world.
Clarus Sees Q1 U.S. Outdoor Wholesale Growth Offset by Weaker Europe and Distributors
The Black Diamond-dominated Outdoor segment sales were $47.0 million, compared to $52.8 million in the year-ago quarter, due primarily to weakness in European and independent global distributor markets, partially offset by growth in the North American wholesale channel.
EXEC: BOA Fuels CODI’s Q1 Branded Consumer Group; Primaloft Sees Order Growth
BOA grew revenues and adjusted EBITDA by 13 percent and 15 percent, respectively in the first quarter of 2024. Bookings outpaced revenue growth, which supports expectations of a strong 2024.
EXEC: Fenix Outdoor Sees Q1 Sales Decline, but DTC Shines
Brands segments, which includes Fjällräven, Royal Robbins, Hanwag, and Fenix Outdoor, had sales of €45.2 million in the first quarter, falling 14.9 percent from €53.1 million in the prior-year first quarter.
