by The Editors on December 11, 2013
Apparently Spy President and CEO Michael Marckx didn’t have enough titles after his name so the Spy board of directed added him to the board. Yep, now he’s President, CEO, and Member of the Board of Directors.
“Michael has been instrumental, and inspirational, in ensuring that SPY’s truly innovative products and its unique message are resonating throughout the marketplace,” said Seth Hamot, Spy Inc. chairman of the board. “We happily welcome him to the Board!”
For the official world from Spy, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 9, 2013
It didn’t take long after Burton Snowboards announced their designs for the 2014 Olympic snowboard uniforms for the company to be forced into responding to stories about how the uniforms were “not made in the United States of America,” according to a story on Fox News. The jackets are apparently made in Japan and here’s the rest:
“The fabric of the competition fleece was woven in Italy, and the technical and waterproof corduroy pant fabric was developed in Taiwan and sewn in Vietnam,” the [Burton] statement continued. “Next, we turned to our longstanding, trusted vendors in China to produce several of the accessories.”
Burton was quick to point out that most of the snowboards ridden by the Burton athletes in the 2013 Sochi Olympics will be handmade in Burlington, Vermont. So if you think you’re going to be riding the same board Shaun White rides in the Olympics, think again. The one you ride will likely be made by one of Burton’s “longstanding, trusted vendors” offshore. Not that this should surprise anyone. . . at all.
[Link: Fox News]
by The Editors on December 3, 2013
When the Boston Globe wants to do a story on snowboarding it apparently heads directly to the local ski shop and talks to some skiers to get the latest news. They spoke to Adam Sanchez and his boss Mike Murphy (pictured right) at Sportworks in Duxbury about just what happened to that old white-hot sport of snowboarding.
“I snowboarded for four seasons,” said Sanchez. “The skis then were pretty traditional, and the technology was not advancing. But the past couple of years, the new designs have made skiing much easier, especially in powder and the woods. So I went back into skiing.”
Even the researchers are telling tales of woe. RRC Associates director of operations Nate Fristoe, who presented some numbers to the National Ski Area Association reportedly says snowboarding has been falling off for years even though some used to claim “snowboarding saved the ski industry” (we wrote that line).
“Snowboarding lost some of its mojo around 2005 and 2006, and we’ve been running on fumes since then. It’s like any kind of trend — full of all sorts of energy until it isn’t.”
Well, now that all the snowboard tourists are finally packing it up it looks like there will be more snow for us. We never really like them anyway. Yay skiing!
[Link: Boston Globe via Bobstonite]
by The Editors on December 3, 2013
Remember all those companies Quiksilver started and/or bought or licensed over the years because it was reportedly good for the stability of their business? Brands like Mervin Manufacturing, Hawk, Moskova, and Maui & Sons. Well, it now seems like the secret to Quik’s “profit improvement plan” is to sell them all. Mervin is already gone and most of the money they got for it is already spent.
“These transactions represent additional milestones in executing our multi-year profit improvement plan,” said Andy Mooney, President and Chief Executive Officer of Quiksilver, Inc. “We used a portion of the Mervin proceeds to invest in our high-growth subsidiaries in Mexico and Brazil, and we now own 100 percent of our operations in both countries. The remaining proceeds from the Mervin sale, combined with the new European credit facility, enhance our financial flexibility and add greater stability to our liquidity. . . Divesting Mervin and the other non-core businesses will allow management to focus on expanding our three core brands – Quiksilver, Roxy, and DC Shoes – along with driving additional operational efficiencies.”
Hey, whatever makes the market think “Hey, they’re making the right moves” is apparently the right move. Follow the jump for the full press release.
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by The Editors on November 27, 2013
We have to admit, we’re not exactly up on the NYC and/or longboard surf scene, but apparently, Joel Tudor’s company Kookbox (which he co-founded with New York based photographer Andrew Blauschild), is having some organization issues, according to a story in the NY Post.
But Blauschild claims that Tudor — one of the world’s best-known surfers — became increasingly arrogant over the years and started treating him and other staffers like serfs . . . “Joel is one of the best-known surfers in history,” Blauschild told The Post. “But he has some issues.”
Now, Blauschild is suing Tudor in Federal court to have him “officially booted from the company.” Blauschild is also “demanding unspecified damages for slander and other misdeeds.” Guess that’s what happens when a California Surfer and a New York Photographer try to bridge the West Coast/East Coast gap in a business.
[Link: NY Post]
by The Editors on November 20, 2013
The Burlington, Vermont based design firm JDK has probably done more to shape the way we all view snowboarding than any other company ever. Their years of shaping the branding and visual design at Burton Snowboards have made them almost synonymous with the world’s largest snowboard company. And that’s only part of it. Look around in the action sports industry and JDK alumni are everywhere.
Lately, numerous changes have been shifting the balance of the company founded by Michael Jager, Giovanna di Paola Jager and David Kemp 27-years-ago, according to a Kathryn Flagg story in Seven Days. But what exactly those changes will mean for the principals are still a bit vague. One thing is certain, David Kemp has left the building.
The transformation is happening quickly, more than just the typical ebb and flow of business. Kemp declined to speak with Seven Days for this story; his two-line email response to inquiries read: “No, I am not available to be interviewed. I am no longer involved with JDK.” . . . That’s a monumental change. Again and again in interviews about JDK, former clients, friends and employees pointed to the partnership between Jager and Kemp as a main reason for JDK’s success. Their right brain/left brain pairing was primarily responsible for running the firm, especially after Giovanna Jager — a brilliant designer herself — stepped away from day-to-day business to raise the couple’s three children.
Michael Jager tells Seven Days that there will be official news after the New Year. Until then, just read this story and then come to your own conclusions. It’s much more fun that way.
[Link: Seven Days]
by The Editors on November 19, 2013
Signal Snowboards founder Dave Lee is reportedly helping peer-to-peer bike rental site Spinlister.com on a new venture to promote peer-to-peer snowboard rentals and sharing called Spinlister.com/Snow.
“I love sharing, that’s what life is all about for me – experiences and adventures – this is the opportunity that Spinlister gives the rider,” said Signal Snowboards Founder Dave Lee. “Local knowledge and the board you want to ride can change travel plans for the better. It’s the perfect time for a service that allows you to meet like-minded people and share or rent snowboards anywhere in the world.”
Guess the big questions is, how many people want to go meet a stranger at on odd location just to save a few dollars on snowboard rentals. Not us. And it’s the same reason we don’t buy much on Craiglist: we fear the freaks. Follow the jump for the official word from Spinlister.
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by The Editors on November 19, 2013
Former intermountain sales rep TJ Bottom has been named North American Director of Sales of Zeal Optics.
“As a small brand, ZEAL is a family, and I am pleased to promote from within to fill this key role with a member of our team,” said ZEAL President John Sanchez. “TJ’s talents, connections, and drive are exactly what the brand needs to capitalize on its growth here in the States and the 19 countries we expanded to over the last year.”
For the official word from Zeal, follow the jump.
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by The Editors on November 18, 2013
Nixon announced today (Monday, November 18, 2013) that they have named former Dyrdek Group Chief Creative Officer Tom Jones as their Creative Director.
Nixon co-founder, Chad DiNenna, commented, “Nixon has collaborated with Tom over the years and we are excited to bring his experience and talent into Nixon. I am confident that his creative expertise, rooted in skateboarding, combined with his respect for world-class design uniquely qualifies him to cultivate the Nixon vision globally.”
Jones has deep, deep roots in skateboarding with long stints at DC Shoes, Plan B Skateboards, and with Dyrdek. For the official word from Nixon, follow the jump.
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by The Editors on November 18, 2013
Uppercut Deluxe, purveyors of authentic mens’ grooming goods, has signed surfer Jack Freestone as an ambassador.
Freestone joins a growing roster of Uppercut Deluxe ambassadors including surfers Josh Constable, Nick Wallace and Matt Chojnacki. Uppercut Deluxe director, Steve Purcell, says he’s proud that his company is representing a surfer who reflects his brand’s two most prized values— style and quality. “Jack Freestone represents a brand of surfing that aligns itself with the direction and values of Uppercut Deluxe,” says Purcell. “We do not look to conform, we are original and focused on style- just like Jack’s surfing.”
For the official word from Uppercut Deluxe, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
Apparently Spy President and CEO Michael Marckx didn’t have enough titles after his name so the Spy board of directed added him to the board. Yep, now he’s President, CEO, and Member of the Board of Directors.
