The Burton Corp. announced today that they are moving Forum, Foursquare, and Special Blend (aka The Program) to their Vermont HQ. It’s a move that had been rumored ever since the snowboard giant first purchased the SoCal-based brands back in the summer of 2004. Seems cold weather makes people work harder.
In tough times like these, we need to be very strategic and efficient so we can continue to invest in our core strengths like product development and marketing, and this move allows us to do just that,” says The Program General Manager Sam Paschel. “In Burlington, The Program will benefit from over 30 years of Burton’s product development, sales and operations expertise while enjoying easy access to Burton’s shared services. And it will be great to have the company close to the mountains where we can easily test product on snow.”
And the surf industry breathes a oh-so-tiny sigh of relief as the invasion slows.
For the entire press release follow the jump.
The Program Snowboard Brands Plan Move to Vermont
Irvine, Calif. (December 5, 2008)—The Program, which includes snowboard brands Forum, Special Blend and Foursquare, today announced the relocation of its corporate headquarters to Burlington, Vermont where parent company Burton Snowboards is based. The transition will be complete by early February and will allow The Program to invest more in developing great products and marketing while reducing overhead costs, which is critical during challenging economic periods.
“In tough times like these, we need to be very strategic and efficient so we can continue to invest in our core strengths like product development and marketing, and this move allows us to do just that,” says The Program General Manager Sam Paschel. “In Burlington, The Program will benefit from over 30 years of Burton’s product development, sales and operations expertise while enjoying easy access to Burton’s shared services. And it will be great to have the company close to the mountains where we can easily test product on snow.”
Retailers and riders will also benefit from the move as The Program will operate more efficiently when it is next door to Burton Headquarters. Ultimately, the move will result in better product at a better price and improved product delivery times.
There are no plans to change the distinct personality of the Program brands, and marketing functions will remain separate from Burton. The current Forum, Special Blend and Foursquare pro snowboarders will stay the same, and Program Team Management staff will remain in Southern California.
For more information about The Program, head to www.theprogram.com.
