Birmingham, AL-based Storyteller Overland, the manufacturer of Class B RV Adventure Vans and off-grid expedition vehicles, has acquired Taxa Outdoors, a Houston, TX-based manufacturer of lightweight camping habitats and overlanding utility trailers to “provide a full range of outdoor solutions for its growing consumer base.
Inspired by its founders’ roots in NASA habitat design and space architecture, Taxa’s lightweight towable solutions can traverse rugged terrain comfortably in a mobile base camp experience.
The alliance of Storyteller Overland and Taxa reportedly positions Storyteller “as the most comprehensive and forward-thinking, independent outdoor lifestyle and recreational vehicle company industry-wide.” As a fully integrated and aligned portfolio of active interest and adventure lifestyle-oriented brands, this combination results in a “unique customer journey and value-added ecosystem offering solutions ranging from a curated peer-to-peer rental technology platform (GoCamp) to lifestyle gear and vehicle accessories for DIY and OEM customers (Flarespace), to turnkey adventure vehicles and expedition rigs on a variety of OEM chassis (Storyteller Overland / Global Expedition Vehicles / GXV), and now innovative, lightweight towables and mobile human habitats (Taxa), reported Storyteller Overland.
As part of this acquisition, Neil Grimmer becomes the CEO of Taxa. Grimmer co-founded Plum Organics in 2007, a company that manufactured organic nutrition and baby food. After selling Plum Organics to Campbell’s, Grimmer launched and led a series of consumer lifestyle brands, ultimately landing him the role of the first global brand president for Harley-Davidson in 2019.
With his unique experience spanning health and wellness to consumer branding and high-quality design and manufacturing, Taxa Outdoors “will be poised to continue its legacy of innovation and excellence in the outdoor industry.” In addition, Grimmer will serve as the chief strategy officer of Storyteller Overland, responsible for “shaping and executing the company’s long-term strategic vision for its burgeoning adventure lifestyle ecosystem.”
“We are stoked to welcome Neil Grimmer and the Taxa team with their loyal owner community into the Storyteller Overland galaxy,” said Jeffrey Hunter, CEO of Storyteller Overland. “Both of our companies share a passion for inspiring and equipping individuals to boldly explore and expand their horizons and connect more deeply with our growing community of adventurers around the globe. This acquisition represents a natural alignment of the vision, values, and vibes that support those passions. For us, this is yet another giant leap forward to help more people live free, explore endlessly, and tell better stories.”
“It’s an honor to lead Taxa Outdoors into the future and carry on the tradition of being a design-led company, advancing its legacy by trailblazing new habitats and experiences, communing with nature and connecting people with those they love. With the support of Storyteller, Taxa Outdoors customers and dealers can expect full and uninterrupted support for existing products, as well as the introduction of exciting new offerings that leverage the combined expertise of all companies in the Storyteller galaxy of brands,” said Grimmer.
The acquisition of Taxa Outdoors was closed in connection with an investment from L Catterton, RX3, Wheelhouse, and Virentes. Burr & Forman LLP served as legal counsel to Storyteller. Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP represented L Catterton.
Images courtesy Storyteller Overland, Taxa
