SGB Update Outdoor

Aussie Apparel Acquires Bluetorch License

Aussie Apparel Group announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with Irvine, CA based GBI to license the “Bluetorch Brand” for apparel and certain other categories. Aussie Apparel has the option to buy the brand in 2006. Additionally, they have t

SBI Lays Out Fila Reorganization…

Fila plans to eliminate roughly 29% of positions worldwide as new parent Sports Brand International embarks on a “strategic reorganization of the Fila brand. Jon Epstein, CEO of SBI said Friday that the reorganization was designed to achieve global effi

Market Reacts to Bright Vans Outlook…

Vans, Inc. saw shares surge more than 26% for the week to close at $11.20 on Friday after the company advised investors that it is revising its first-quarter and full-year earnings estimates upward…

PONY Loses Some Juice…

Earlier last week Pony parent company, GBMI, announced that they would be teaming up with publisher Kashy Kaledi to launch a new lifestyle magazine called Juice, but the company was forced to pull the name after it was discovered that the name has already

Isabel Stings, But Doesn’t Bite…

As Hurricane Isabel tore through the Mid-Atlantic states last week, it reportedly had mixed results on sporting goods vendors and retailers. There was even a small hint of a silver lining in the dark clouds for at least one retailer that opened a new sto

OIA Releases Participation Study

Who wants to go out and play? Not as many Americans as last year, according to Outdoor Industry Association's Outdoor Recreation 2003 Participation Study. The study reports that overall, participation in outdoor activities declined from 2001 to 2002,

OIA Rendezvous Right Around The Corner…

There's not a better opportunity for retailers, manufacturers, sales representatives, media, and other industry members to learn, recreate, discuss industry issues and spend time with new and old friends then at the Rendezvous. Check out the “look wh

SBI Announces Major Strategic Reorganization at Fila

A strategic reorganization of Fila and its worldwide subsidiaries was announced Friday by Jon Epstein, CEO of Sport Brands International Ltd (SBI), the new owners of Fila. The reorganization is designed to achieve global efficiencies for the company and r

Exped Expands Rep Force

Exped has added Luke Buckingham to cover the Northeast, while Chris Hall and the RepSouth group will cover the Southeast U.S. Dave Cockburn, Kiwi Outdoor Representation, will handle the Southwest duties…

Nike Sees Fiscal Q1 Earnings Rise 21% on Exchange-Aided Growth

NIKE, Inc. reported that revenues for the fiscal first quarter ended August 31, 2003 increased 8.0% to $3.0 bn, versus $2.8 bn for the same period last year. First quarter net income totaled $261.2 million, or $0.98 per diluted share, compared to a loss o

K2 Completes Worth Acquisition; Parish Takes Rawlings Helm

K2 Inc. announced Wednesday that it has completed the acquisition of 100% of the stock of Worth, Inc. The Company also announced that Robert Parish, chief executive officer of Worth, Inc. has been appointed President of Rawlings Sporting Goods, a wholly

Aldila JV Company To Sell Assets

Aldila, Inc. announced Wednesday that Carbon Fiber Technology LLC (“CFT”), a joint venture limited liability company owned by it and its joint venture partner, has signed a non-binding letter of interest to sell selected assets, including property, plant,

MacGregor Golf Re-Acquires Japan Subsidiary

Suntory Ltd. said Wednesday it will sell all of its shares in its subsidiary MacGregor Golf Japan Ltd. to U.S.-based MacGregor Golf Co. before the end of the month. The terms of the deal were not released.

Noland Appointed CFO for Fila USA

Fila USA CEO Tom O'Riordan has appointed Fila USA Vice President – Controller Sharon Noland to Chief Financial Officer. In her new role, Mrs. Noland will assume responsibility for all financial areas including Tax, Financial Planning and Reporting,

Wilson Makes Sales Territory Changes

Wilson Racquet Sports announced that Chris Merrill, a Wilson rep for five years in Atlanta is moving back to the Los Angeles area to take over the territory left by Chris Hefter. Taking Merrill’s place is Jim Haneklau. Haneklau has been in the industry f