SGB Update Outdoor
VF Corp. To Add Reef to Growing Outdoor Coalition
VF Corporation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire all the outstanding stock of Reef Holdings Corporation from an investor group led by majority shareholder Swander Pace Capital. Terms were not disclosed. Reef had sales of $75 million in 2004 exc
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
K2 Inc. Shuffles Deck at Earth Products
K2 Inc. has made two appointments at its Earth Products, Inc. unit, appointing founder Chris Miller to Chief Creative Officer and Jeff Larsen to the position of President of Earth Products, Inc. The company, which is based in Carlsbad, Calif., markets pr
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
Global Multi-Brand Plan Takes Shape at Nike, Inc…
Nike, Inc. saw a number of shifts in its business in the fiscal third quarter as Nike brand apparel reversed the downward trend seen in the second quarter in the U.S. and footwear sales got a bigger boost from unit sales growth even as average selling pri
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
Reebok Team Uniforms Shuts its Doors…
Fab-Knit Ltd., which is doing business as Reebok Team Uniforms, abruptly shut its doors last week and laid off the majority of its employees. The move by the company, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January (SEW_0505), is curious sinc
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
Golf Rounds Down Nationally, Up in Dry Winter Regions…
The National Golf Federation released its report on golf rounds played in the month of January this week, finding that the number of rounds played had dropped 4.0% against January 2004. The NGF attributed the drop to heavy rains, flooding and mudslides in
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…
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
