SGB Update Sportsmans

Alpha Silencer Appoints New VP of Sales

Cody Bennion is expected to aggressively grow market share, revenue, distribution channels, and dealer satisfaction for the company’s titanium suppressors

Savage Arms Appoints New CEO as Al Kaspar Retires

Al Kasper, who has led the company for over a decade, will retire December 31, 2023. Chris Bezzina will take over as president and CEO effective December 31, 2023. Bezzina joined Savage in 2007.

Wolverine Transforming Saucony and Merrell Model in China; Sells Asia Leathers Business

Wolverine World Wide, Inc. said it plans to shift its Merrell and Saucony businesses in China from a joint venture model with with Xtep to a license and distribution rights model. It also agreed it sell its Asia-based Wolverine Leathers business. Both actions are expected to simplify Wolvderine’s business model and generate $70 million in proceeds.

Czech CSG Group Adds Italian Shotgun Maker to Portfolio

The global industrial-technology company that recently agreed to acquire Vista Outdoors’ ammo brands has purchased a majority percent stake in the Italian, family-owned Armi Perazzi S.p.A., manufacturer of high-quality shotguns for sport shooters and elite hunters.

November Sales Show Small Gain, Tops Expectations

The Commerce Department reported that retail sales rose 0.3 percent in November over the prior month, stronger than the 0.2 percent decline in October and better than the Dow Jones estimate for a decrease of 0.1 percent.

Survey: 142 Million Shoppers Expected for Super Saturday

According to the National Retail Federation, the number of expected shoppers is up significantly from the last time Super Saturday fell on December 23, when 126 million consumers were expected to shop on that day in 2017.

Gerber Gear Hires Marketing Chief

Gerber Gear, based in Portland, OR, hired Ash Williams as the outdoor brand’s new head of marketing, effective December 4. Williams was, most recently, the VP of marketing at Grundéns.

Z-Man Adds and Upgrades Fishing Tackle Talent to Team

Six-year Z-Man veteran and previous sales manager Ryan Harder was promoted this past summer to brand manager. Brandon McKellar recently joined the company at its home office in Ladson, SC to backfill Harder’s former role.

Vista Outdoor Gets Antitrust Nod for Ammo Business Sale

Vista Outdoor, Inc. reported that the deal to merge its sporting products business with Czechoslovak Group a.s. has cleared the antitrust clearance period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.