by The Editors on November 28, 2017
The owners of the skateboard brand HUF have reportedly sold off 90 percent of the brand to the Japan based TSI Holdings Co Ltd for $63 million, according to a story on Reuters.
TSI Holdings Co Ltd says it plans to acquire 90 percent stake in U.S.-based firm HUF Holdings, LLC (target firm) on Dec. 14, at the price of $63 million
According to a press release (which is in Japanese) Keith Hufnagel currently owns 15 percent of HUF, while Altamont Capital Partners owns 57.7 percent with Jai Baek and Joanne Baek owning 17.5 and 7.5 respectively.
[Link: Reuters]
by The Editors on November 25, 2017
Merge4, makers of quality-driven, comfortable, durable, modern socks, has opened their flagship retail store on State Street in the heart of Santa Barbara, California.
Across from the Metro Theater and surrounded by Volcom, Vans, Urban Outfitters and Billabong: 623.5 State Street is where the entire MERGE4 collection is on display for inspection and selection: 2,000 square feet of graphic socks – the perfect gift for Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza or Festivus: “Visually artistic socks, featuring some of the best their industry has to offer,” said MERGE4 founder Cindi Ferreira-Busenhart.
For the official word from Merge4, please follow the jump.
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by The Editors on November 3, 2017
Merge4 is proud to welcome Aaron Favero as the company’s director of sales and marketing. Aaron will be responsible for “building the brand, growing distribution and stoking out the feet of people from sea to shining sea and beyond.”
“Aaron has a proven record of facilitating long-term business relationships with retailers and industry experts,” says Merge4 Founder Cindi Ferreira Busenhart. “His attitude and personality are perfect fits with all of us at MERGE4. Having Aaron on our team will only enhance our goals to provide quality, innovative socks to the marketplace with dedication to the customers and community. I’m so grateful we can finally work together!”
For the official word from Merge4, please follow the jump.
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by The Editors on November 1, 2017
If Kering, the parent company of Gucci and Volcom, believes that Puma is a “noncore asset” and is looking to sell the German footwear company for $7 Billion (according to Challenges via Hypebeast) so it can focus more on “luxury,” what does this mean for VeeCo? Seeing as Kering’s Sport & Lifestyle division is made up of Puma, Volcom, and Cobra Golf who knows what’s ahead.
The big question: how long will it be before Kering sells Volcom back to Wooly at a hugely discounted price? Will it be soon? We hope so.
[Link: Hypebeast]
by The Editors on October 30, 2017
Maybe someone who understands how business works can explain why Billabong, the company that ran itself onto the rocks after paying way to much for way too many smaller companies would now, after beginning to claw their way back to open ocean, look at picking up Rip Curl, and an online retailer (Surfstitch) which they have already bought and sold once, according to a story in The Australian.
Anyone have any theories? Increased sales? Independent online retail looking up? Eliminate a competitor? Give money to their friends and former business associates?
by The Editors on October 30, 2017
Billionaire Dirk Ziff, who left his position on the board of The Weinstein Company earlier this month, appears to be planning a second of his wave ponds in Florida, according to a story in the Palm Beach Post.
Palm Beach County commissioners on Thursday unanimously approved zoning for a wave park planned by . . . billionaire Dirk Ziff.
Ziff, the co-owner of a certain privately owned entertainment company specializing in event and online streamed content production (mostly surfing sport), already owns one surf pond in Lemoore, California. Ziff was at the commissioners meeting, however he reportedly didn’t comment on the pond, the construction plans, or anything else.
[Link: Palm Beach Post]
by The Editors on October 29, 2017
In the 1990s when most of the major snowboard companies quit making Alpine race snowboards, one person stepped in and made boards for nearly everyone who still ran gates. His name was Chris Prior and the boards were Prior Snowboards. In later years, his namesake company came to make much more than race boards. Sadly, the Whistler, Canada based snowboard craftsman and innovator died suddenly at home on October 15, 2017, according to a story in Pique.
Prior passed away suddenly in an accident at his Whistler home. He was 51 years old (the family has requested an autopsy). . . He was a son, a brother, a boyfriend, a fearless creator, an adventurer, an innovative businessman, a quiet soul, a down-to-earth pioneer with his own vision, a local legend. . . “Every single day started with a full-on huge, happy attitude,” said girlfriend Lauren Bramley, who met Prior in 2010.
Our thoughts are with Prior’s family and friends.
[Link: Pique]
by The Editors on October 25, 2017
The Outdoor Industry Association has sent a letter to our short-fingered vulgarian President Donald Trump asking him to keep his Twitter twiddling hands off protected public land. They asked a little nicer:
As leaders of more than 350 American companies, we ask you to embrace the conservation ethic of your predecessors and keep current protections in place for our public lands and waters, ensuring these places live on for the benefit of every American today and for generations to come.
That’s a pretty big ask, and it won’t do a thing to change our current situation, but it’s a nice try.
[Link: Outdoor Industry Association]
by The Editors on October 25, 2017
Five years ago Tahoe snowboarders Abe Greenspan and Lee Collins decided they wanted to make their own boards. So they did. They started Tahoe Lab. And in this profile from The Tahoe Daily Tribune they explain the whole idea behind their craft snowboard brand.
The duo never intended to grow TahoeLab as big as Burton, K2, Lib Tech or others. They mostly just wanted to be able to pay rent for their 600-square-foot shop. . . “We’re big into snowboarding, we’re big into the backcountry and we were dissatisfied with what was out there so we started making our own,” said Collins, a 40-year-old Yale University graduate, Tahoe resident since 2000 and president of TahoeLab.
It’s always good to see people doing things outside the fray and enjoying it. For the rest of the Tahoe Lab story, click the link.
[Link: TahoeDaily]
by The Editors on October 25, 2017
Nothing puts the stamp of quality on a sporting entertainment property like a good old hard alcohol sponsorship. And that’s what a certain privately owned entertainment company specializing in event and online streamed content production (mostly surfing sport) is doing with Jose Cuervo, according to a story on SportsProMedia.
Under the deal, which covers the remainder of this year, Jose Cuervo’s Tradicional brand will be aligned with two upcoming contests: next month’s season-ending Maui Women’s Pro, and the Billabong Pipe Masters, the final stop on the men’s Championship Tour, in December. . . “The partnership between the WSL and Jose Cuervo Tradicional is a great fit culturally,” said Beth Greve, the WSL’s chief commercial officer. “The WSL is thrilled to work with such a prestigious and famous brand, and one that has been endemic to beach culture for almost 40 years.”
Epidemic to beach culture indeed.
[Link: SportsProMedia]
