SGB Update Outdoor
Canoecopia Event Marks Opening of Paddling Season…
For three days in March, Madison, Wisconsin is the center of the universe for paddling enthusiasts. Since 1981, the Rutabaga Paddle Shop has hosted an event called Canoecopia. Billed as the ‘World’s Largest Paddlesports Expo,” the event marks the beginnin
Yue Yuen Sees ASP Up, GM Still Suffers…
Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings Ltd, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of athletic footwear, saw an increase in average selling prices help drive total revenues up 15.8% to $746.4 million for the fiscal first quarter ended December 31, compared to $64
Looking for a Chair as the Music Stops…
Several Specialty Outdoor brands played a game of musical chairs last week with a number of top executive moves to bolster their teams. It seems that Yakima, Thule, Kelty, Mountainsmith, and Lowe Alpine have all been switching employees in one form or an
The New Green Fiscal Conservative: An Industry Perspective
A recent article in The Economist notes that conservatives view environmental issues in much the same way liberals view defense issues, they’re just not comfortable with them. While there are a growing number of environmental conservatives, this attitude
Obituary: George W. Schneider, 82
George W. Schneider, LaCrosse Footwear's chairman of the board for 23 years, passed away on Friday, March 18, after a brief illness. He was 82 years old…
Smith Optics Wins Backpacker Magazine ‘Gold Editors Choice’ Award
Smith Optics' Slider series has earned the 2005 Backpacker Magazine Editors' Choice Gold Award. Among the annual Editors' Awards, the Gold Award is the most prestigious, only bestowed upon products that go the extra mile in delivering perfo
NSGA Conference Registrations Continue Record Pace
With two months remaining before the 41st Annual NSGA Management Conference & 7th Annual Team Dealer Summit, registrations continue to arrive at a record pace. As of March 17, nearly 390 persons had registered…
Osprey Hires New Product Development Manager
Osprey Packs welcomes Stephen Barnes to its team as Product Development Manager. For the past three years Stephen has served as Osprey's South Central sales representative, opening up several major dealers and resurrecting a dormant part of the U.S.
Two Promotions and One Retirement at Shoe Carnival
Shoe Carnival, Inc. has announced two executive promotions and one executive retirement. Tom Welden is taking over for the retiring Ed Hensel as vice president of distribution and Kathy Yearwood has been promoted to vice president – controller…
Shoe Pavilion Swings to Profit in Q4 on 14.7% Comp Sales Gain
Shoe Pavilion, Inc. reported net income of $1.0 million, or 14 cents per fully diluted share, for the fourth quarter ended January 1, 2005, compared to a net loss of $60,000, a loss of a penny per share, on a restated basis for the year-ago period. Net sa
Sea Otter Classic Promotes Recreation in N. Calif. Schools
World class athletes from the Sea Otter Classic take to the schools to promote physical activity and participation in bicycling. The program is one of many supported by the Cypress Youth Fund, Sea Otter Classic’s philanthropic arm, and is aimed at helping
Exel Consolidates Sports Group Operations; Appoints Managing Director
Exel has decided to incorporate the marketing, sales, logistics and product development operations for its Sport division’s consumer products (Nordic Fitness Sports, floorball and winter sports) into a separate company, Exel Sports Oy. The new company, a
NGF Elects New Officers and Directors
The National Golf Foundation recently elected officers and directors for 2005. The newly elected officers are Mark King, Jim Connor, and Stephen F. Mona; while the newly elected directors are Gerard Hinckley, Gary Schaal and Jim Thompson…
New Balance Sponsors ‘Live Your Best Life Tour’
For the second year, New Balance will team up with O, The Oprah magazine in sponsoring the publication's “Live Your Best Life Tour.” The Tour enables New Balance to reach a core demographic of female walking shoe consumers and allows NB to ta
PRI Enters Discussions with Comcast to Broadcast RSN to Colorado
Prime Rate Investors has entered discussions with Comcast Corporation to establish RSN affiliate broadcast TV stations in Colorado. The state accounts for twenty percent of all U.S. skier days and boasts seven of the nation's ten most visited ski res
