SGB Update Sportsmans

Report: U.S. Holiday Online Sales Grow 4.9 Percent
Online spending in the U.S. during the 2023 holiday season climbed 4.9 percent to $222.1 billion in November and December, according to Adobe Analytics. Growth was reportedly driven by sizeable discounts across electronics, toys and apparel, as well as increased usage of the flexible ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ payment option.

Lazydays Promotes Dillard to VP Operations
Amber Dillard was promoted to VP of operations, effective immediately. The company said Dillard’s tenure began in 2011, “reflecting over a decade of commitment and service to the company.”

Riton Optics Appoints Marketing Director
Riton Optics hired Trent Marsh as marketing director. Marsh has almost 15 years of experience as a marketer in the shooting sports industry, having worked in the UTV, trail camera and optics categories.

Dead Air Silencers Promotes Tarantino to Head of Channel Development
Dead Air Silencers promoted Tony Tarantino to the newly created position of senior director of channel development, responsible for executing strategies and programs at the dealer and consumer levels to increase brand exposure.

Hornady Names Director of Manufacturing
Hornady Manufacturing Company hired Scott McKelvey as director of manufacturing, oversee manufacturing processes throughout all production divisions.

Iron Valley Supply Co. Welcomes New CEO
Iron Valley Supply Co., the distributor of firearms and accessories, appointed Clay Halla president and chief executive officer.

Camping World to Acquire Two Locations in Louisiana
Camping World Holdings, Inc. announced plans to acquire Bent’s RV, with two locations in Boutte and Albany, LA. The company expects to close the transaction in the second quarter of 2024 and increase its Louisiana location count to four.

Colt CZ Acquires Grenade Launcher Technology
Colt CZ Group SE, through its subsidiary Colt, acquired the intellectual property rights for the Mk 47 Automatic Grenade Launcher, including the Fire Control, from General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.
Academy Sports’ Former President Lands at Groundworks
Groundworks, the foundation and water management solutions company, hired Michael Mullican as CFO. Last October, Mullican stepped down from Academy Sports as president and CFO to pursue personal and professional opportunities.

Costco Store in Virginia to Unionize
At the Costco store in Norfolk, VA, employees voted overwhelmingly to join the Teamsters, the largest union in America, marking the first “victory” for workers at a Costco location in two decades.

A Range of Business Issues, Brands and Retailers Top SGB Media’s Most Read for December
December 2023 featured many of the annual recaps and look aheads inherent in end-of-year business reporting; however, traffic and readership also rewarded a piece on Macy’s $5.8 billion buyout offer with the Most Read Article nod for the month.

Rapala VMC Sells Injection Molding Business
The group’s entire injection molding business was sold to Finnish mold and injection molded parts manufacturer Muottituote Group Oy, with an agreement signed on December 22, 2023. Approximately 20 employees are expected to transfer to Muottituote in the deal.

Lazydays Closes on $35 Million Mortgage Loan Facility
The $35 million mortgage loan facility is funded by clients of Coliseum Capital Management and is reportedly secured by mortgages against certain dealership facilities and land held for future development.

Camping World to Add 15 Dealerships in the First Quarter
The company closed on the acquisition of Ashley Outdoors in Salem, AL, the first of 15 dealership locations Camping World expects to open in the first quarter of 2024.

Black Diamond Parent Selling Ammo Business in $175 Million Deal
Clarus Corp. entered into a definitive purchase and sale agreement to sell its Precision Sport segment, comprised of Sierra Bullets and Barnes Bullets, to a U.S.-based non-strategic buyer not affiliated with the company or any of its officers or members of its board of directors.