Health & Fitness Association to Induct First Class Into HFA Hall of Fame
The HFA has selected six industry leaders to induct into its inaugural HFA Hall of Fame class. The inductees are Dr. Kenneth Cooper, Rick Caro, Red Lerille, Julie Main, John McCarthy, and Augie Nieto.
Winchester Ammo Sales Grow 10 Percent Despite Lower Commercial Sales
Winchester Ammunition’s increase in sales was said to be primarily due to higher military sales and military project revenue, partially offset by lower commercial ammunition sales.
Pickleball Kingdom Franchisee to Open Facility in Centerville, Ohio
Franchisees Dhaval Patel and Sanjay Patel, co-leaders of Pickleball X, will open a new venue in Centerville, OH, on Main Street. The 36,000-square-foot space will include 13 indoor courts with a target opening in April 2025.
Arc’teryx Makes Three Strategic Leadership Appointments
Industry veteran Matt Bolte has been named chief merchandising officer, with Marissa Pardini as general manager and Ben Stubbington as creative director of its Veilance brand.
Chaparral and Robalo Parent’s Q4 Boat Sales Fall Sharply Again; Margins Improve
Marine Products Corporation reported that 2024 fourth-quarter net sales fell 33 percent from the prior-year corresponding quarter. The decline comes on top of a 35 percent decrease in the 2023 fourth quarter.
Tractor Supply Inks Licensing Deal with Field & Stream
Tractor Supply will launch the first Field & Stream collection in June. Over time, Field & Stream products will include gun safes, hunting blinds, deer feeders, game cameras, and more.
REI to Relocate Eugene Store to Oakway Center
The Oakway Center space will be one level and nearly 10,000 square feet larger than the current store with larger product assortments, improved dressing rooms and ample warehouse space. The 41 employees that work at the store can relocate to the new location.
Pickleball Kingdom Partners with Donald Driver for Club Expansion in Wisconsin and Minnesota
Working alongside Greg Straub and Doug Reigle of Pickleball Sports LLC, Driver will launch a flagship club in Menomonee Falls, WI, opening in early March of 2025, with additional clubs planned for Green Bay and Madison.
Report: Nationwide Camping Industry Continues Growth Trajectory
The Dyrt’s 2025 Camping Report found that millions of Americans continue to discover the activity, with 81.1 million Americans camping in 2024 and 5.8 million first-timer campers. Since 2021, over 25 million Americans have camped for the first time.
Report: Affordability Plays Key Role in Global Physical Inactivity
HFA’s latest report, Reversing the Physical Inactivity Crisis – Fitness Affordability as Strategic Policy, covering ten international markets, highlights the important role that affordability plays in global physical inactivity.
Oofos Appoints Chief Marketing Officer
Liz White brings over 20 years of marketing experience to the newly created role overseeing global marketing efforts and direct-to-consumer business.
MidwayUSA Foundation Expands Staff
The advocacy organization for youth shooting sports, has expanded its staff with three new employees. Pete Eisentrager and Chance Cover have joined MidwayUSA’s Columbia, MO office, and the new program manager, Dan Darragh, will oversee its new Western region.
Report: RV Shipments Rise 6.6 Percent in 2024; Towables Grow 16 Percent
Towables, particularly Conventional Travel Trailers, continued to post a strong performance, with an 11.4 percent increase in December shipments compared to the previous year and an 11.8 percent increase for the full year.
Golf VX Enters Franchising Market with First North American Venue
The 12,000-square-foot flagship franchise in Arlington Heights, IL, features 12 golf simulator bays, each with the technology of Golf VX’s T2 simulator with modes for any mix of play, practice and competition.
Brookfield-Backed Trimco Group Acquires Nexgen Packaging
Nexgen Packaging’s management team will continue to manage the business under its current CEO, Jim Welch. The acquisition will allow both companies to integrate their global sales and manufacturing networks.
