SGB Update

New North American License for Kangol

Apparel Limited, based in Los Angeles, has reached an agreement to become the new North American licensee for Kangol Apparel, according to just-style.com. Apparel Limited makes the Dickies Girl line…

YKK America Appoints Fastening Business Leader

Michael Blunt, former SVP of sales for YKK (U.S.A.) Inc., has been named the Fastening Business Leader for YKK's North and Central America (NCA) Region as well as president of the company's subsidiaries, YKK USA and Tape Craft Corporation…

Delta Apparel Appoints New Board Member

Delta Apparel, Inc. has appointed Robert E. (Bob) Staton to its Board of Directors. Staton brings more than 30 years of business leadership to the company…

Confluence Shifts More to China

Confluence Watersports will be manufacturing the entirety of its composite boat program in China, effective June 2009. While ultimately it is a decision to lower the costs associated with manufacturing composite boats in the Easley, S.C. factory, the com

LaCrosse Footwear Sees Q4 Income Plummet

LaCrosse Footwear, Inc. reported results for the fourth quarter and full year ended Dec. 31, 2008. For the fourth quarter of 2008, LaCrosse reported consolidated net sales of $35.1 million, up 8% from $32.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. For the f

PEP Funds to Help Active Youth

The U.S. Department of Education recently announced the availability of $70 million dollars for the purchase of products, and for training on such products, that help get children active. These products include snowsports equipment, reported the SIA. The

CPSC Delays Some Safety Act Provisions

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a one year “Stay on Enforcement” for the submission of “Testing and Certification” of compliance with the new lead and phthalates laws. The CPSC will not require Testing and Certification on products until

Lorpen Hires U.S. Sales Manager

Lorpen, the designer of high performance socks for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, announced today that Bruce Barrows has been hired as U.S. Sales Manager. Barrows will be responsible for the marketing and sales of Lorpen socks within the U.S. and growi

SIA: Slowing Equipment Sales Impact Specialty Retail

According to the August-December SIA Retail Audit, retail sales in the SnowSports market declined 1.5% in 2008 to $1.88 billion. Most of the declines came from equipment categories, but apparel was also down in the low-single-digits. Accessories were the

Escalade’s CFO Resigns

Escalade, Inc. said it has accepted the resignation of Terry D. Frandsen as vice president and chief financial officer. Robert J. Keller, Escalade's president and chief executive officer, said that the company and Frandsen had reached a mutual decis

Pace Setters

The SGMA’s “2008 State of the Industry Survey” lists running as number four on the list of “Hottest Sports for Sales Growth in 2008” behind yoga / pilates, fitness walking and lacrosse. Women play a significant role in keeping running at the top of that l

Somnio Launches Customizable Footwear Line

An avid runner who was experiencing problems with his feet, Sean Sullivan started seeing Dr. Andy Pruitt at the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine in Boulder, CO. The conversation quickly shifted from Sullivan’s problems to the solutions…

Newton Running Names New President

Newton Running has named Stephen Gartside as president of the technical running footwear company.Gartside will run the day-to-day global operations of Newton Running and work closely with Newton’s founders, Danny Abshire and Jerry Lee…