SGB Update

All In the Family at Johnson Outdoors?

Samuel C. Johnson, majority shareholder and director of Johnson Outdoors, and his daughter, Helen Johnson-Leipold, chairman and CEO of Johnson Outdoors, have made an offer to purchase all outstanding shares of Johnson Outdoors and take it private. Accordi

Stuck in the Middle with You…

In an exciting and provocative new book entitled Trading Up, Boston Consulting Group members Neil Fiske and Michael Silverman help to explain the seeming disappearance of the middle class shopper. In recent years we have seen the growing strength of the

Velo Enterprise Expands Team Sponsorships

In an ongoing effort to intensify it’s brand communications Velo Enterprise is has identified and signed several teams and athletes for 2004…

Billabong Posts 12.3% Net Profit Gain on 27% US Sales Increase

Billabong International Limited announced a strong result for the first six months of 2003-04, with a sharp rise in offshore revenue and improved operating margins. Net profit after tax lifted 12.3% to $40.6 million. After currency conversion, total group

Joyce Out, Fields In, as Germans Make adidas America Changes

adidas America has announced that Joe Fields will join adidas America as Senior Vice President of Sales and Retail. He will report to Erich Stamminger, the Executive Baord Member that now heads the Portland unit. Tim Joyce, who has held the SVP role since

Phoenix Footwear May File Secondary Offering

Phoenix Footwear Group, Inc. announced that it may file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the end of the second quarter of 2004 for a proposed follow-on offering that the Company anticipates will include newly issued

O’Neill Clothing Posts 28% Sales Increase in 2003

O'Neill Clothing has announced record sales for the year ending Dec. 31, 2003. Junior's and accessories sales were up 35% and 93% respectively, while the company enjoyed an overall sales increase of 28%. Since 1997, O'Neill Clothing has p

SGMA: U.S. Sporting Goods Exports Resume Growth

When it comes to “Made in the USA” sports products, overseas markets are most interested in golf gear, exercise machines, gymnastics equipment, athletic footwear and fishing tackle. Those are the finding of SGMA International’s most recent exports study.

Rock and Ice Singles Out Bouldering

Rock and Ice magazine will expand its reach and coverage of climbing's fastest growing category with its new Bouldering Issue. “Just five years ago, bouldering was a subsport and only a handful of companies made products specific for it,” says Rock a

Schutt to Distribute Impact’s Shoulder Pads

Schutt Sports will serve as the exclusive sales representative for Impact Protective Equipment's new football shoulder pad. The shoulder pad, worn last season by leading NFL athletes, will be marketed by Schutt to high school and college teams…

Collective Inks Airwalk SnowSports Licensee for Japan

Collective Licensing International, LLC has entered into a licensing agreement with UFU Inc. to distribute and market Airwalk branded snowboarding gear including Airwalk branded boots, snowboards, bindings, and snow outerwear in Japan. UFU expects to see

Wilson Racquet Sports Names New RandD Team

Wilson Racquet Sports has named Bill Severa as the Director of Technology for the Racquet Sports newly formed Innovations & Design Group. Severa, who has been with Wilson for 21 years, was the Senior Designer for the last seven years. He started with Wil

SRAM Places Focus on The Road

SRAM celebrated a huge 2003 on the road starting with Tour de France. SRAM also placed their drivetrain components in the Men’s and Women’s USPRO Criterium Championships. Heading into 2004 SRAM hopes to continue its success with several strong domestic pr

Raleigh Appoints New President and COO

Raleigh America announced the appointment of Steve Meineke as president and chief operating officer to drive the company’s rejuvenated brands, products, services and marketing direction. Most recently Meineke served as president of Equus Marketing & Desi

Johnson Outdoors May Go Private Again in Action by Johnson Family

Johnson Outdoors Inc. has received a nonbinding proposal to acquire outstanding shares of the company for a cash price of $18.00 per share. The proposal from Samuel C. Johnson (majority shareholder and director of Johnson Outdoors) and Helen Johnson-Leipo