Malden Union Inks Three-Year Contract Deal…
After rejecting Malden Mills “best and final” contract offer last week, the UNITE HERE workers union has voted to accept a new three year contract. The union, which represents roughly 70% of Malden’s workforce, threatened to strike last week because membe
Kent Fried Joins Atomic SBU
Atomic Ski proudly announces the addition of Kent Fried to its Small Business Unit (SBU). Fried replaces Taras Popel as Territory Business Manager. Fried joins a multi-faceted SBU team that focuses on providing stronger staff training, better inventory ma
Nikwax Receives Picks Up Honors at U.K. Event…
Nikwax recently received one of the U.K.’s top awards for business, The Queen’s Award for Export Achievement, and was also recently given the International Business award for Language. Both honors speak to the diversity of culture within the company and t
Mountain Hardwear Makes Management Appointments
Mountain Hardwear Inc. has named Ted Ganio product manager of outerwear and Ulrike Kupfer has been appointed European marketing manager for the company. Prior to joining Mountain Hardwear, Ganio was the vice president of operations at Adventure Medical Ki
Walden Kayaks Shutters Operations…
Walden Kayaks was informed on November 24th that Banknorth, the company’s principal source of financing, was unable to continue financing and the company would be forced to shut down by 5:00 on the same day. Walden Kayaks President, Jeffrey DeSantis, is h
HEAD/Penn Names New DSM to Replace Retring Nihiser
After 42 years in the sporting goods industry, Ohio-based District Sales Manager (DSM) Bud Nihiser will say goodbye to HEAD/Penn as he transitions into retirement. Nihiser will officially hang up his hat December 31, 2004. Steve Rothstein will be the DS
Lafuma Profits Outpace Sales; Looks at Acquisitions…
The Lafuma Group ended fiscal 2004 with solid sales and profit growth, and a large improvement to the company’s debt-to-equity ratio. Fiscal year sales increased 2.0% to €179.9 million ($219.0 mm) compared to €176.4 million ($191.2 mm). Net profit outpace
Sally McCoy Launches Financial Consulting Firm
Twenty-year outdoor industry professional Sally McCoy has launched a new financial advisory services firm, Silver Steep Partners, LLC. The specialty firm is the first of its kind, providing strategic and financial advice to the specialty outdoor and spor
Bain Capital Could See 200% Return on Jack Wolfskin…
Bloomberg is reporting that Bain Capital LLC, a Boston-based private equity firm may be ready to sell Jack Wolfskin after owning the company for only two years. Bain acquired German outdoor apparel and equipment manufacturer from Johnson Outdoors in 2002
NRF: November Retail Sales on Track to Hit Holiday Forecast
Following two strong months of retail sales, consumers headed to the stores again in November to take advantage of holiday promotions. According to the National Retail Federation, November retail sales in the GAFS category, which includes most general mer
EPA Reportedly Censororing Opposition to Roadless Rule Changes…
The watchdog group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) is reporting that the EPA is censoring public comments and warnings of its professional staff in its reports on the changes to the Clinton-era roadless rule. The EPA allegedly del
Collegiate Pacific Completes Orlando Team Sports Acquisition
Collegiate Pacific has completed the acquisition of Orlando Team Sports. Founded in 1994, Orlando Team Sports is believed to be the largest and fastest-growing team sporting goods distributor in the state of Florida, covering the state from Jacksonville t
American Skiing Company: Early Indicators Look Good…
The American Skiing Company, parent company to Sugarloaf USA, Killington, The Canyons, and several other ski resorts, reported a strong start to fiscal 2005. First fiscal quarter revenues increased 5.8% to 19.5 million compared to 18.5 million last year.
Third Quarter Retail Results Shine Once Again…
Retail sector profit growth again outpaced sales growth in the retail third quarter, but slowed substantially from the outstanding numbers posted in the second quarter. Acquisitions and the accompanying integration expenses had much less of a negative im
Vail Still Expects Profitable 2005 Despite Rough Start to Year…
In spite of revenue gains in its mountain and lodging segments and a large increase in lift ticket sales, Vail Resorts net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2005 widened to ($31.5 million) compared to ($25.4 million) last year. The main cause for the i
