ISSUE 1321 MAY 27, 2013
The Weekly Digital Magazine for the Sporting Goods Industry
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Group Publisher Editor In Chief James Hartford james@sportsonesource.com 303.997.7302
Senior Business Editor Thomas J. Ryan tryan@sportsonesource.com
ISSUE 1321 May 27, 2013
The Weekly Digital Magazine for the Sporting Goods Industry
Contributing Editors Aaron H. Bible, Fernando J. Delgado, Charlie Lunan, Matt Powell Creative Director Teresa Hartford teresa@sportsonesource.com Graphic Designer Camila Amortegui camila@sportsonesource.com Advertising Sales Account Managers Northeast Buz Keenan buz@sportsonesource.com 201.887.5112 Midwest Barry Kingwill bkingwill@sportsonesource.com 847.537.9196 Southeast Katie O'Donohue katieo@sportsonesource.com 828.244.3043 Circulation & Subscriptions subs@sportsonesource.com
SportsOneSource Publications Print Magazine: SGB, SGB Performance Digital Magazines: SGB Weekly, TEAM Business Digital Newsletters: The B.O.S.S. Report Sports Executive Weekly News Updates: SGB, Footwear Business, Outdoor Business, Sportsman’s Business, TEAM Business
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Photo courtesy NSGA
MAKING NEWS
4 Movers & Shakers K-Swiss, Inc. Acquires OTZ Shoes 6 By The Numbers Brown Shoe Sells Avia and Nevados 8 Gore-Tex Funds Low-Impact Climbing Expeditions 24 Calendar
PRODUCT REPORT
10 Craft Customized Cycling Apparel
BRAND REPORT 2151 Hawkins Street • Suite 200 • Charlotte • NC • 28203 t. 704-987-3450 • f. 704-987-3455 5360 Manhattan Circle • Suite 201 • Boulder • CO • 80303 t. 303.997.7302 • f. 303.997.6837 www.SportsOneSource.com
SGB PROFILE
14 David Kahan, CEO, Birkenstock USA
FEATURE
16 Made In America American Manufacturing Regaining A Foothold
TEAM BUSINESS EVENTS
20 NSGA 49th Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit
12 Voormi: Next Generation Technical Wool Apparel ON THE COVER: Photo courtesy Woolrich, Inc. Copyright 2013 SportsOneSource, LLC. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors to SGB WEEKLY are not necessarily those of the editors or publishers. SGB WEEKLY is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or artwork. Articles appearing in SGB WEEKLY may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the publisher. SGB WEEKLY is published weekly by SportsOneSource, LLC, 2151 Hawkins Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28203; 704.987.3450. Send address changes to SGB WEEKLY , 2151 Hawkins Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28203; 704.987.3450
MAY 27, 2013 | SGBWeekly.com
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NEWS
MOVERS & SHAKERS L.L. Bean announced long-time Chairman Leon A. Gorman is retiring and passing the torch to Shawn Gorman, 47, the great-grandson of company Founder, Leon Leonwood Bean. LaCrosse Footwear, Inc. appointed Robert Sasaki as its new president. Sasaki previously served as a finance director at Nike, Inc. where he focused on Asia. Spy, Inc. CFO Michael D. Angel announced his intention to resign from his position to facilitate a return to his permanent home in the Bay Area. Volcom, Inc. appointed Mandy Fry as VP of Women’s. Most recently, Fry was Billabong women's senior design director. Balega International, the performance sock brand, hired Ben Hernandez as its brand manager. The BH Group announced that with the recent move of CEO Steve Lindenau to head of BH Bikes, Bob Whip would step into the role of CEO for BH North America. PHIT America added Sports Industry Hall of Famer Rusty Saunders to its board of directors. Rob Barker has been appointed president of Amer Sports' Fitness business unit, which operates the Precor brand, effective June 1.
4 SGBWeekly.com | MAY 27, 2013
From left to right: OTZ Shoes President and Creative Director Ludo Malmoux, CEO Bob Rief, and Co-Founder Skip Murgatroyd. Photo courtesy K-Swiss
K-SWISS, INC. ACQUIRES OTZ SHOES E.Land World, Ltd., and K-Swiss, Inc., owner of the K-Swiss and Palladium brands, announced the strategic acquisition of Malibu, CA-based contemporary comfort footwear brand OTZ Shoes, Inc. Under the agreement, OTZ Shoes will operate as an independent subsidiary of K-Swiss, Inc., with key executives remaining in place. The acquisition marks the first addition to the K-Swiss, Inc. company portfolio since the completion of its April 30 merger with E.Land. Founded in 2009 by sneaker industry veteran Ludo Malmoux and partner Skip Murgatroyd, OTZ Shoes is modeled on the oldest shoe ever found on Oetzi, the prehistoric iceman found frozen in the Otzal Alps in 1991. It promotes health and sustainability and is known for bringing modern style and creativity to the comfort category. “OTZ Shoes has done a tremendous job establishing distinction and elevating the bar in the comfort market,” said Larry Remington, president and CEO of K-Swiss, Inc. “We believe that with our resources and infrastructure, we can help the brand dominate the contemporary comfort category and realize its global potential. The brand will be a key addition for us, helping us build a portfolio of globally-relevant brands across a number of categories.” OTZ Shoes will continue to be led by CEO Bob Rief, President and Creative Director Ludo Malmoux, and Co-founder Skip Murgatroyd, who will support legal counsel. Malmoux will remain a minority stakeholder in the brand. The OTZ Shoes executive team will report to Remington and K-Swiss CMO Barney Waters in support of the brand’s growth initiatives. “This alliance will prove to bring great value to our operations and help shore up some of the rapid growth challenges we’ve had as a business,” commented Rief. “E.Land and K-Swiss, Inc. have a very progressive plan for the future and we look forward to working with them as they continue to build momentum for the brand.”
NEWS NEWS
BY THE NUMBERS -38.1%
Mizuno Corp. reported that net income was ¥1.9 billion ($18.6 million), down 38.1 percent. Operating profit was ¥3.6 billion ($35.2 million), down 34.4 percent, while ordinary profit was ¥4.1 billion ($40.1 million), down 27.6 percent. Earnings slid in its fiscal yearended March 31 due largely in part to an increase in SG&A expenses and in purchasing costs; however, overall footwear sales remained healthy, especially running shoes in the Americas, up 24 percent on a currency-neutral basis. Companywide revenue totaled ¥163.7 billion ($1.6 billion) in the year, up 5.6 percent compared with the same period from the previous fiscal year.
28.6%
Skechers USA, Inc., reported first quarter sales rose 28.6 percent to $451.6 million from $351.3 million in the first quarter of 2012. Earnings from operations for the first quarter of 2013 were $15.3 million versus a loss from operations of $4.4 million for the first quarter of 2012. Gross profit for Q1 2013 was $192.7 million, or 42.7 percent of net sales, compared to $155.7 million, or 44.3 percent of net sales, in the first quarter of last year.
$207.6 million
Easton-Bell Sports, Inc., which owns the Easton, Bell, Giro, Riddell and Blackburn brands, had net sales of $207.6 million for the first quarter of 2013, a decrease of 4 percent as compared to $216.3 million of net sales for the first quarter of 2012. Team Sports net sales for the first quarter were flat on a year-overyear basis with Riddell football and Easton baseball/softball continuing to gain market share as sales in both businesses reflected lowsingle-digit growth. Action Sports net sales decreased $8.6 million, or 9.4 percent, for the quarter.
6 SGBWeekly.com | MAY 27, 2013
BROWN SHOE SELLS AVIA AND NEVADOS Shortly two years after buying both brands as part of its acquisition of American Sporting Goods (ASG), Brown Shoe Company, Inc. announced that it had sold Avia and Nevados for $74 million. The acquirer was Galaxy Brand Holdings, Inc., the same group that acquired And1 from Brown Shoe in October 2011. And1, the basketball brand, was also part of the original ASG acquisition. The CEO of Galaxy is Eddie Esses, who is president of E.S. Originals, the New York-based firm that claims to be largest privately held footwear importer in the world with volume of over $1 billion. The Galaxy group, according to sources, partnered with Brown Shoe last year in a licensing deal to bring the Avia brand to Walmart. With the sales of Avia and Nevados, an outdoor brand, that leaves only Ryka remaining from the acquired ASG portfolio. Brown will use the proceeds from the sale of Avia and Nevados to pay down debt. "Although we were not actively marketing Avia for sale, it's a great brand with a strong heritage that appealed to Galaxy Brand Holdings,” said Diane Sullivan, president and CEO of Brown Shoe, in a statement. “As a result, they made an offer which we believe is in the best interest of our shareholders to accept." As part the realignment and integration related to the transaction, Brown will take charge of $15 million to $17 million in fiscal 2013, or approximately 28 cents to 33 cents per share on a GAAP basis. Of this amount, $11 million to $13 million is expected to be non-cash. Brown Shoe acquired ASG in February 2011 for $156.6 million in cash, including debt assumed by the company of $11.6 million. According to an SEC filing from Brown Shoe, sales of Avia and Nevados were a combined $77.5 million in 2012, down from $98.1 million a year ago although both brands were more profitable on a combined basis. “We are excited by the tremendous potential in both Avia and Nevados, and look forward to building on their foundations in the athletic and outdoor space," said Galaxy Brand’s Esses. "Both brands enjoy a loyal consumer base, and we are committed to continuing a tradition of serving all of our retail partners with innovative, high-quality products. We see significant opportunity - in both domestic and international markets - to drive the growth and continued development of these brands."
NEWS
GORE-TEX FUNDS LOW-IMPACT CLIMBING EXPEDITIONS Photo courtesy Gore-Tex
W.L. Gore & Associates, inventors of Gore-Tex, announced the five winners of this year's Shipton-Tilman Grants for climbing expeditions. Applications are accepted from small, unencumbered teams of friends with daring and imaginative goals. In the spirit Eric Shipton and Bill Tilman, arguably the greatest team of mountain explorers of the last century, W.L. Gore & Associates (Gore) said this year's Shipton-Tilman Grants would split $25,000 between the five recipients. The expedition team must plan to accomplish their feat in a self-propelled, environmentally sound, and cost-effective way, reflecting the philosophies of Shipton and Tillman. Gore developed the annual grant program in 1990 as a tribute to Shipton and Tilman. Both men advocated traveling in compact teams, unburdened by numbers of porters or excessive tonnage, while remaining respectful of the terrain and leaving little trace behind. “The volume and quality of this years’ applications are proof that todays’ climbers continue to seek objectives that have yet to be explored,” said Yvonne Erickson, Gore marketing leader. “We were so inspired by this year’s ShiptonTilman grant recipients appreciation for exploration, alpine climbing and the desire to leave the mountain environments as untouched as possible.” The following five teams will receive grants in 2013: In the footsteps of Genghis Kahn, awarded $7,400 Climbers Dave Anderson, Szu-ting Yi and Lauren Edwards will embark on a two-month climbing expedition, beginning in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaator and travel by horse and camel to reach remote locations. The team aims to retrace the route Gengis Khan took west across Mongolia in 1219, attempting first ascents of the Granite Mountains along the way, including Zorgol Hayrham Uul, Three Child Mountains and the 2,000-foot north face of Eej Khairkhan Uul. The routes the team has chosen will follow the natural landscape so that they can leave as little trace as possible as they venture on the sacred peaks. 8 SGBWeekly.com | MAY 27, 2013
CanAm K6 Expedition, awarded $5,000 The Canadian/American climbing team, consisting of Jesse Huey, Raphael Slawinski, and Ian Welsted will attempt to climb the 2,500-meter vertical, northwest face of K6 West, the highest peak in the Charakusa Valley in the Pakistani Karakorum. The peak is one of the largest remaining unattained goals in alpine climbing and the team will attempt to ascend in a light, environmentally conscious alpine style, including both ice and mixed climbing without the support of fixed gear. British Muzkol Pamir Expedition, awarded $1,600 The British team of John Proctor and Jonathan Davey will set out to explore the remote Bozbaital Valley in the Muzkol range of the Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan. Their climb will include first ascents of two previously unexplored peaks at the head of the valley – each just over 6,000 meters. The team looks forward to the stable weather and welcoming locals and hopes that their endeavor will attract other climbers to central Asia. Green Light and Fast, awarded $6,000 Focusing on the Cape Farewell region of South Greenland, this year’s only all-female team of Lizzy Scully, Prairie Kearney and Quinn Brett (one of America’s fastest female climbers, who broke The Nose Record up El Capitan in June 2012) will explore the area’s less travelled terrain. They will be traveling to the Torsukatak Fjord to put up first ascents on the huge unclimbed granite walls in the region. They will start in the fjord near the Baron/Baronness, but will both hike to and explore by boat some less traveled areas with big granite walls. The team is climbing without portaledges and haul bags and will not be aid climbing – rather ascending each wall as quickly and lightly as possible. The team will be joined by photographer John Dickey. Changla Himal & Gave Ding Expedition, awarded $5,000 Seeking to discover new objectives in the largely unexplored area of far west Nepal, the climbing team of Neil Warren, Chris Johnson, Dave Chapman and Guy Wilson will attempt first ascents including Gave Ding (6,571m), Lachama Chuli (5,700m), Chhamsarka Daha (6,248m) and other peaks to the west and around the glaciated bowl to the south. The team will climb in alpine style whenever possible, seeking to reflect the spirit of adventure shared by mountaineers across the globe. Editor’s Note: To learn more or to apply, visit gore.com.
THE INTERSECTION OF CAREER AND LIFESTYLE
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PRODUCT REPORT
CRAFT CUSTOMIZED CYCLING APPAREL NOW AVAILABLE IN NORTH AMERICA FOR IBD’S, CLUBS AND TEAMS By Aaron H. Bible
Craft North America announced a new custom cycling apparel program developed for IBD’s, cycling teams, clubs and charity cycling events. Teams can be fully outfitted in customized Craft cycling gear including jerseys, shorts, bibs, jackets, tights, skinsuits and accessories. Regarded as some of the most technically advanced cycling apparel collections available in North America, the Craft Custom line was developed in close collaboration with professional cycling team RadioShack Leopard Trek. The line has been thoroughly tested in the professional peloton, on the Alpe d’Huez and in rain and snow on the cobbled streets between Paris and Roubaix. The Craft Custom cycling program offers three product categories: the Elite line for cyclists who demand nothing but the best, the Performance line for dedicated athletes, and the Active line for casual riders and event organizers looking for affordable custom apparel options. Engineered with the same high-tech fabrics used throughout Craft retail products, the Custom Bike Collection provides superior moisture transport, ventilation and ergonomics, engineered with 35-plus years of performance knowledge. “We chose Craft because the PBC line offered the best 10 SGBWeekly.com | MAY 27, 2013
quality for the price. On the bibs, the chamois is high-tech and comfortable and the leg grippers actually work. The jersey is made from different fabric types providing an aero, cool, and comfortable fit,” said Team Manager Jay Robbins from Ride Studio Café, the high-end bike shop and urban café owned by the founder of Seven Cycles. “Finally, the staff is committed to meeting our needs and our final product looks as sharp as it did on paper.” The Craft Custom Promotional Program also includes a selection of personal and promotional apparel, including the Leisure Full Zip Hoodie, the Sport Polo Shirt and the AR Tee, all of which can be custom printed or embroidered. “The ordering process was simple, and the customer service was excellent,” said president of Northeastern Cycling Team, Eric Panicucci, upon taking delivery of their new Craft team gear. “It’s clear that Craft clothing is on the cutting edge of technical cycling wear,” said Tyler Wren from the Jamis Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home team. “When you don’t notice your clothing – when nothing is making you hot on a warm sunny day, and when you stay warm on a snowy training ride, it gives you an advantage. And that is how Craft gear makes me feel, which makes training more effective and gives me an edge in the races.” Craft Custom cycling apparel is manufactured in Europe. Customers should allow six to eight weeks for delivery time. Pricing starts as low as $50 with minimums of 10 per style. For more information visit craftcustom.com.
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BRAND REPORT
MEET VOORMI:
NEXT GENERATION TECHNICAL WOOL APPAREL By Aaron H. Bible
12 SGBWeekly.com | MAY 27, 2013
Women's Lithium Crew hoodie Photo courtesy Voormi
Riding the technical wool-blend bandwagon - but doing so in their own unique way - Voormi (pronounced vor-mee) will debut their first full line of high performance thermal apparel at select outdoor and snow specialty retailers this fall. Based in Pagosa Springs, CO, the company features some industry veteran leaders, an intense testing process, and domestically sourced, precision-blended wool. In January the fledgling brand made its introduction to its Southwest Colorado hometown and has been slowly and confidently getting the word out to the industry and media. Built from the ground up upon a series of proprietary fabric technologies, Voormi is delivering a limited, tiered product offering of what is almost a new category, utilizing fine-micron wool with high-alpine inspired technicality and design. “From the beginning our goal has been to push the durability and technical performance of wool far beyond what people have come to expect from performance synthetics,” said Doug Lumb, Voormi’s senior vice president of product development.“The advances made over the last ten years with this natural super-fiber have brought it close to being a viable solution for serious backcountry travel. We believe our work over the last three years has taken it the rest of the way.” The company has unveiled two new technology platforms from which the collection will be built. The first is its Dual Surface Precision Blended Wool: ideal for next-to-skin applications and not totally unlike other performance wool base layers on the market. This fabric features a thin inner layer of high-performance wicking yarns combined with a fine-micron wool face. Next is the Surfaced Hardened Thermal Wool: designed to withstand the rigors of high elevation and arctic environments. This first-of-its-kind, mid-layer fabric features high-performance wool reinforced by an array of outer surface, durable yarns purposefully positioned for durability. Three years in the making, Voormi’s stated mission is to simplify and streamline performance apparel and outerwear for backcountry travel. And to get there, company leaders such as Dustin English, managing director, and his sister Megan English, Wolf Creek Ski Resort ski patroller and Voormi marketing ambassador, relentlessly test prototypes ski-mobiling, ice climbing, touring, patrolling and guiding in the mountain states, Alaska and the South Pole. Dustin English, managing director, Voormi
Fall 2013 products will be made in the U.S. with 100 percent domestically sourced Rocky Mountain Highcountry Merino. Exhibiting a higher degree of crimp compared to wool grown in other regions of the world, Voormi’s proprietary material is touted as generally stronger, more resilient, with better thermal regulation than wool grown in mild maritime climates. "The inherent benefit of wool sourced from the unique high-elevation climate of the Rocky Mountain region is something that we’ve been keeping a keen eye on for some time now," said Timm Smith, director of brand marketing. "After overwhelming feedback on the durability of our first prototypes and a long held belief amongst the team that wool sourced from our unique climate is the best suited option for use in our unique climate, we thought it was worth doing some more digging. “With years of experience in the nuances of fiber chemistry and access to a nationwide network of wool experts, the ASI (American Sheep Industry) was fundamental in helping us connect the rest of the dots. From there, it was a matter of reconfiguring our supply chain to isolate only the best, strongest fibers from our country’s most iconic mountain range,” Smith added, saying it’s a key step in building a 100 percent domestically supplied and produced line of performance wool apparel. Despite the slow, customized start, Voormi is actually made up of a team of heavy hitting industry vets. Dan English founded and has been directing the company since its inception, capitalTimm Smith, izing on 25 years of senior director of brand management experience in Marketing, Voormi the technology world, including 12 years at Microsoft. He also worked as an owner and head of sales and licensing for Mossy Oak in the hunting and conservation space for five years; and now with Voormi he plans to “rethink every aspect of business along the way.” Lumb comes to Voormi from a mere 40 years at Polartec, where he was a respected innovator and pioneer in product and textile development. Director of brand marketing Timm Smith is a Gore-Tex veteran, where he worked for 10 years bringing new products and technologies to market in the outdoor industry working with some of the most prominent and respected brands. Of particular note on the product side is the versatile Dan English, founder, hooded mid-layer, the Voormi High-E Hoodie, said to be
Men's High-E Hoodie
the jumping off point for the brand overall. Water repellent, highly durable and breathable, it features the Surface Hardened Thermal Wool - a 21.5 micron wool made uniquely tough with performance fibers and a DWR coating. The zippered kangaroo pocket is perfect for hand warming, and unobtrusive louvered thumb loops add warmth and make pulling a shell on easier. It will retail for $229. Also in the High-E Series is the Access Hoodie, MSRP $199, and the Drift Jacket, MSRP $249. Colors throughout all the lines will be subtle and natural: Chestnut, Cinder, Deep Sage and Twilight for men; and Cinder, Orchid, Merlot and Sky for women. On the Dual Surface side of the product line, Voormi is entering the base layer market with the Thermal Base-Layer Series. Available in two weights, both the Thermal I and Thermal II series are designed to minimize overheating and moisture build up. The fine-micron merino is enhanced with an ultra-thin layer of performance wicking yarns. The Lithium Crew and Bottoms in Thermal I are meant to be airpermeable, three-season building blocks for stop-and-go activity. They are soft next to skin and like other wool baselayers, fight odor, MSRP $90 each. Thermal II base layers come in three-quarter zip or hoodie for the tops, MSRP $119/$129; bottoms MSRP $109. Men’s colors are Charcoal, Sahara and Limelight; women’s are Charcoal, Lilac and Twilight. And the name Voormi? You’ll just have to ask them what it means when you see them on the mountain or in the aisles of the next tradeshow. ■ MAY 27, 2013 | SGBWeekly.com
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SGB PROFILE
David Kahan CEO, Birkenstock USA By Thomas J. Ryan
In mid-May, Birkenstock USA announced that David Kahan would join the company as CEO beginning June 1. Kahan brings more than 20 years experience as a senior leader at footwear brands including Rockport, Reebok, Fila and Nike. He most recently held the position of President of the Footwear Group for ENK International, the trade show producer. In this role, Kahan re-engineered the WSA show in Las Vegas, transforming it into the largest U.S. trade show dedicated to sourcing and fast fashion for the footwear industry. While at ENK, he also led the Sole Commerce events in New York City, which focus on the fashion business. Previously, he was Senior Vice President of Rockport USA, from 2002 to October 2010. The CEO position at Birkenstock USA had been vacant for several years. Here, Kahan discusses why he joined the company. What is on the immediate horizon for Birkenstock as you prepare for Spring 2014? This is an exciting time for Birkenstock, both internally and externally, and I’m looking forward to working with the team to assess and grow our opportunities. Much is on the horizon, starting with our sales meeting in early June. This summer the entire company will be moving to one integrated system. Tradeshow season is right around the corner, product looks great and a united sales force will now hit the road with our complete portfolio, including Birki’s and Papillio. There is so much to look forward to and, for me, June 1 can’t come quickly enough. What does this appointment mean for Birkenstock? Birkenstock has tremendous brand value and equity. You can go anywhere and ask folks what they know about Birkenstock and they’ll tell you they’re the most comfortable shoes ever. The brand is so highly visible and highly relevant right now that it’s all opportunity going forward. I’m most looking forward to working with our retail partners to leverage this momentum and maximize their business. 14 SGBWeekly.com | MAY 27, 2013
What should retailers expect from Birkenstock in the future? First, retailers who know me know that as an organization we will be committed to the best possible service at all times – we will excel as a “best in class” sales and service team to ensure we make it easy for our retail partners to do business with us. Moving to an integrated sales force and one data platform is a major step for us in this direction. Second, we will listen closely to the needs of the U.S. market. Birkenstock is a global brand and we will always maintain the DNA and values of the brand; however, we will be innovative from a product standpoint in how we manifest this in fresh styles to meet the specific needs of the U.S. consumer. What most excites you about the Birkenstock brand? Birkenstock is one of the most iconic footwear brands in the history of the industry. There are only a few brands, let alone footwear brands, that not only have immediate name recognition, but more importantly, a brand image that comes to mind when you speak of them. The image of Birkenstock, the core DNA of the brand, is very much in tune with the lifestyle and mindset of U.S. consumers – people are seeking a more holistic life, they are not looking to compromise comfort for style, and they are seeking authentic brands that deliver on these qualities. There is no better brand than Birkenstock that fits the bill, and retailers will see energy behind our efforts that will support them in meeting the needs of their consumers. How will you be incorporating your recent experience with ENK and the tradeshow world into your new role as CEO for Birkenstock? It’s all about relationships, branding, and driving the bottom line. I’ve met so many terrific people in my career and look forward to bringing the conversation full circle with this incredible brand.
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Made in America SLOGAN OR VIABLE BUSINESS STRATEGY?
A resurging interest in American manufacturing, especially within the outdoor industry, is getting harder and harder to ignore. Editor’s note: Part one of a two-part series By Aaron H. Bible Photo courtesy Keen
More than just a slogan, “Made in America” carries deep-rooted connotations for generations of Americans as we’ve grown up watching stateside manufacturing essentially disappear. From automobiles and textiles to toys, electronics and even food production, Made in America seems more like a novelty today than a viable business practice. But recently these same industries are back on the table as American-made; especially in the outdoor industry, manufacturing in America seems to be regaining a foothold, at the very least a renewed cache. And while more and more micro-manufacturers are finding it beneficial to make things in their own backyards, some of the bigger players are starting to look at the seemingly foreign concept as well. The topic deserves, and has seen, plenty of analysis and political wrangling and the statistics tell a startling tale. Only approximately 6.5 percent of America’s labor force is employed in “production” (Bureau of Labor). In 1950, nearly a third of the population worked in some form of production. Since 2001, America has lost 42,400 factories, 36 percent of which employed more than 1,000 workers (The American Prospect). The discussion is further complicated by tariffs, trade policies, currency valuation and discrepancies between industries. The following is a look into a few of the leading minds behind 16 SGBWeekly.com | MAY 27, 2013
outdoor-industry companies still making things in America, with some philosophies and opinions about what is working, what isn’t, and how things can change. In the second part of this story, we’ll investigate further the reemergence of Made in America, taking a look at more companies in the snowsports, accessories, sporting and apparel industries.
WOOLRICH “Our woolen mill is the nation’s oldest continuous operation,” said Vice President of Woolrich, Inc., Josh Rich, an eighth-generation family owner whose forefather John Rich opened the Woolrich Woolen Mill in Pennsylvania in 1830. “We have a long tradition making wool products and supporting the community. It’s a commitment that reflects the core values of our shareholders and a responsibility that is shared throughout the company.” “Our domestic manufacturing has had a renaissance of sorts driven by foreign demand as Asian and European markets have gravitated toward original brands with authentic stories,” he said, and this renewed interest in U.S. made goods has been happening for about five years. “I think it comes down to what a company wants to accomplish. It’s not easy to make your products here. We know
it’s the right thing for us and so we’re finding ways to make more of it here again.” But this production is not without its challenges, especially in the apparel market, Rich said. There’s a nationwide shortfall of experienced cut-and-sew workers, and of domestic suppliers of wovens. “Cotton has become a major fiber for us, and finding woven cotton at competitive Josh Rich, pricing domestically is very chalvice president, lenging,” he said. Woolrich, Inc. “Realistically it’s not going to work for everyone. Consumers say they want American, but many aren’t willing to pay the premium for it,” continued Rich. “The same is true for manufacturing. I see this changing, but it’s going to be a slow burn and it will be very dependent on costs.”
KEEN On the footwear side, New Balance is essentially the only athletic footwear manufacturer left in the U.S. But environmentally conscious companies such as Portland, OR’s Keen are beginning to re-test the U.S. waters, opening a Portlandbased shoe factory in October 2010. Keen also makes bags in Chico, CA, and socks in North Carolina. “Keen is dedicated to creating a strong community and to looking for smart solutions. Making things here in the U.S. creates jobs and is better for the environment,” said Kirk Richardson, development director at Keen. “The more we are able to produce in the U.S. the more we can influence bringing pieces of the supply chain closer to home. Some of our suppliers have already shifted production of resources to the U.S. to help support our needs.” Richardson said manufacturing shifted away from the U.S. for three reasons: costs, competence and complexity. “We decided to challenge the three C’s,” he explained. “What if we could build a highly automated factory to help offset the need for less expensive labor? What if we could apply the footwear know-how we have gained to make manufacturing a core-competency for Keen? When we took into consideration all of these dimensions, it led us to the conclusion that building footwear in the U.S. could really make sense. The ability to use our Portland factory Kirk Richardson, development as a prototype and sample facility, a director, Keen quality testing facility and a learning center is very compelling. It’s also a way for Keen to build community by creating jobs, providing education and
giving Portland the right to say great footwear is being built here.” Said Richardson, “The Portland factory is one way we are exploring sustainable manufacturing practices. There are a lot of complexities around manufacturing. While it was the right decision for us to shift some of our production to the U.S., each business has its own strategies and objectives to weigh.” So how far away from widespread American manufacturing are we, and how do we get there? “America needs to re-direct its engineering education focus back toward manufacturing engineering in schools and universities, as the Asian system of higher education did 20 years ago,” Richardson said. “We have a focus and skills gap that can be closed, but it needs addressing at that level. Ultimately we see ‘regionalization’ of manufacturing to be the way forward in mitigating the continuous movement of component ingredients in the supply chain from all over the world to Asia and back.”
IBEX OUTDOOR CLOTHING Wool apparel manufacturer Ibex Outdoor Clothing, who produces a significant portion of its product line in the U.S. and has completely domestic supply chains, said the biggest barrier to stateside production is finding manufacturing partners that meet its needs. And because of the loss of the skilled cut-and-sew workforce, Ibex VP of Marketing Keith Anderson agreed widespread American manufacturing is a ways off. “We need the workforce, the incentives, and the motivation to build more in the U.S. It’s easy to say we want more Made in the USA, but until consumers are motivated to make Country of Origin a top issue in terms of purchasing decisions, there are not going to be as Keith Anderson, many risk takers bringing VP marketing, Ibex the manufacturing process back home,” Anderson said. But that doesn’t diminish its importance. “It allows greater flexibility in terms of production and quality control. We are small and we can be nimble with U.S.-based manufacturing,” Anderson explained. “We are committed to building product in the U.S. for the economic reasons and because it feels good as a company.” MAY 27, 2013 | SGBWeekly.com
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CASCADE DESIGNS, INC. Camping accessory icon Cascade Designs, Inc., has been manufacturing in Seattle, WA since 1972, creating products such as Therm-a-Rest mattresses, MSR stoves and Platypus water filters for 40 years. “Manufacturing locally allows us to retain control over the quality and availability of what we sell, to disJoe McSwiney, tribute regionally - therepresident, by minimizing wasteful Cascade shipping - and to keep Designs jobs here at home,” Cascade Designs President Joe McSwiney said. “The biggest challenge in being a U.S.-based manufacturer is that it sets the bar very high on innovation. Unless your products are demonstrably superior, you will not be able to charge enough to pay for U.S. manufacturing. We actually like this ‘challenge.’” "It's always been my philosophy that you want to make stuff near where you're selling it because you can provide much better service that way," agreed Cascade Designs Founder John Burroughs. And while local manufacturing promotes innovation and quality, it’s not without its problems. “Not all materials are available in the U.S. anymore. This is changing over time, however it’s still necessary to go to Asia for a number of materials. Also it’s hard to hire skilled manufacturing employees, especially on the softgoods side. For this reason we train a lot of our own manufacturing operatives and engineers,” McSwiney said. “Unless you design, engineer and position a product from the ground up to be manufactured in the U.S., you will not succeed. Instead of moving a production line of a current product back to the U.S., perhaps consider creating a new, enhanced line of product enabled by domestic production. For some time you could sell the new domestically manufactured line parallel to imported lines, thus minimizing risk and allowing the customer a chance to make the switch.” Which is exactly what Portland’s Keen is doing. “Manufacturing will be relevant where it makes the most economic sense for the business and/or industrial sectors involved,” McSwiney continued. “U.S. manufacturing capability in certain sectors took decades to build and then collapsed relatively quickly. It will take time to rebuild again. “Many people are surprised to learn we manufacture most of the products we sell and they are amazed when 18 SGBWeekly.com | MAY 27, 2013
they come into a factory and see Americans working on production lines making all this gear,” he said. He also added that all of Cascade Designs’ buildings are old; they’ve never found a need to build a new building when so many good ones exist. “Finally, at Cascade Designs we believe in a made-in-market approach to manufacturing,” McSwiney concluded. “In the early 1980s demand for outdoor gear was booming in Europe but shipping goods from Seattle to Europe didn’t comply with our core philosophy of local manufacturing. In 1985 we created a wholly-owned subsidiary in Midleton, County Cork, Ireland, to manufacture product for the European market. Manufacturing in Ireland allows us to provide the same quality control and service to our European customers as we do in Seattle for the North American market.”
KOKATAT Kokatat, Inc. has been making paddling apparel and accessories in Arcata, CA, since 1971. On Black Friday 2012, the company unveiled its first annual American Made Outdoor Gear Awards, celebrating U.S. manufacturing Jeff Turner, sales and design manager, Kokatat
in the outdoor industry and recognizing more than 50 companies committed to sourcing and manufacturing goods in the United States. “From the beginning our founder and president, Steve O’Meara, recognized that keeping production local was necessary in order to control quality
and continually develop the finest paddling apparel in the world. Today more than 90 percent of our annual revenue comes from the sale of products handmade in our Arcata factory and by our local and regional manufacturing partners,” said Jeff Turner, sales and design manager for Kokatat. “Our efforts make a direct contribution to the local Humboldt County economy. We employ strict water conservation practices and have one of the largest solar photovoltaic systems in the region, powering much of our manufacturing equipment.” Turner explained, “With the textile manufacturing exodus that occurred during the ‘80s and ‘90s, it became increasingly difficult and expensive to source materials from domestic suppliers. As a result, U.S. apparel component manufacturers were increasingly priced out of the market by Asian-based manufacturers, who in many cases were selling a higher quality at a better price. “Our advice to companies who want to develop more domestic products is to drive through the barriers with deliberate intent. The only way to start is to start,” Turner said. Kokatat has received more and more inquiries into their processes over the last few years. “With fluctuating tariffs, duties and quotas, and the uncertainty of shipping capacity, the renewed interest in domestic manufacturing began in the latter end of the last decade,” he said. “The lynch pin for success in a return to U.S. apparel manufacturing is that the big brands must start to make the move,” concluded Turner. “In order to overcome the lack of infrastructure, supplier companies need to see the revenue opportunity to an infrastructure investment.” He said that while Kokatat was working with a U.S. textile mill on a completely domestic wool product line, they were unable to generate enough business for the mill to see the program through and as a result, its wool baselayer program features Merino from New Zealand.
FIVE TEN Another brand that’s made its livelihood off of quality and innovation, Five Ten climbing manufactures all rock shoes and apparel in California, as it has since the early ‘80s, sticking close to its roots in Yosemite and Joshua Tree. Currently the company is producing shoes in the bike and approach category in Asia as well. Five Ten General Manager Christian Stegmaier explained the company’s philosophy. “Similar to Coca Cola we keep our Stealth rubber production in the U.S. so that we can control our intellectual property. We also have kept Stealth rubber production in the U.S. in order to ensure high quality. It’s the same for our rock shoes. We keep the business of climbing close by to ensure the highest standards of quality and continued i n n o v a t i o n ,” Stegmaier said. “Cost of labor here is ten times Christian Stegmaier, higher than if general manager, Five Ten we would do it in Asia, but on the other side, it is keeping the secrecy of Stealth rubber and close communication of innovation and workmanship, and keeping it here no one can reverse engineer it,” he said. “If you can increase efficiency through knowledge and production, or if you produce high quality premium products, then it could make sense.” “Looking at the very competitive pricing strategy within the American marketplace and the high cost of entry barriers for U.S. production,” Stegmaier said, “we are very far away from widespread American manufacturing.”
TWENTY TWO MANUFACTURING Back in Portland, OR, 16-year outdoor-industry apparel and accessory designer and consultant Mike Gaeir recently started a domestic production facility called Twenty Two Manufacturing. For Gaeir, the decision to open a U.S. manufacturing plant was about bringing craft back to the outdoor industry. He said that while we’ve been chasing cheap labor rates around the globe, the supply of this labor is actually decreasing as we continue to globalize.
Mike Gaeir, owner, Twenty Two Manufacturing
Gaeir reiterated, “The biggest barrier for us has been the availability of skilled, qualified laborers who have the passion and experience to sew. There haven’t been enough jobs in the U.S. to keep trained sewing machine operators working. So many have either lost their skills or there just aren’t an abundance in the workforce to choose from. To counter this barrier, we’ve invested time and money to train our factory workers to produce at superior levels. “To really know the craft means we as designers know all the aspects of the process and should have hands-on opportunities to direct them - this helps us make better design choices up front and in the end will make better products more efficiently and cost effectively,” he explained. While brands fight for the right to claim innovation, many competing products now go through the same “filter” of materials and factories in Asia. Gaeir hopes to give them back their autonomy. “Small, fast and nimble is how we operate…a huge contrast to the large volume, slow to change, big manufacturing facilities,” Gaeir said. “Consumer demand for products tends to go un-made because it might be too niche for a large brand to produce. We are intent on finding those niche spots that are being ignored.” Most agree that U.S. manufacturing has environmental savings as well. “The large ocean- going ships that transport most of our goods are horrible polluters burning very crude diesel fuel and dumping waste into our oceans. Additionally, most power generated in China comes from coal burning power plants, and factories use a ton of this energy that negatively affects environmental efforts. The power we use in our Portland facility is supplied by wind from our electric company,” Gaeir said. “It’s one thing to ship a bolt of fabric, and completely different to ship an entire production run. We’ll always need to ship stuff around, that won’t change, but we can mitigate the costs and timing as much as possible by keeping manufacturing domestic. “Craft-built, targeted products are the key to a healthy U.S. production scene. We’ve seen this evident in the explosion of micro brewing and distilling in the beer/liquor markets and food co-ops/farm-to-table restaurants,” concluded Gaeir. “Being a part of a global system will continue to be necessary, there’s no getting away from it, nor do I think it’s a bad thing. If we start to look around the globe for the ‘best’ and not the ‘cheapest,’ I think it will change the perceptions of a global market. “Localized, specialized production should really be the answer,” Gaeir said. “Building products people need and want in their communities will put the right products in the right hands and avoid the massive over production and inevitable off-price liquidations. Consumerism then becomes a thoughtful and meaningful process again for quality goods that last.” ■ MAY 27, 2013 | SGBWeekly.com
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TEAM BUSINESS EVENTS
Lessons in Leadership The sporting goods industry gathered once again for the NSGA Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit By Fernando J. Delgado
Inducted into the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame on May 7 during the NSGA Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit are from left to right: John Parish, Sr., Worth, Inc., Rusty Saunders, Saunders Consulting, and Randy Hooper, Sports Distributors of Canada, Ltd.
T
he sporting goods world convened in sunny Florida earlier this month for the National Sporting Goods Association’s 49th Management Conference & 15th Team Dealer Summit, a four-day event featuring dynamic speakers, information-packed sessions and a chance to mingle with peers. NSGA estimated that more than 330 attendees - including leading manufacturers, retailers and team dealers - enjoyed the picturesque backdrop of the PGA National Resort & Spa from May 5-8 in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, while working to expand their knowledge and make new connections within the industry. The event offered a variety of educational tracks featuring more than 35 speakers - 67 percent more than last year’s Conference & Summit. In addition to the traditional Conference & Dealers’ tracks, three new afternoon tracks – Global, Strategic and Tactical - were introduced to provide further specialized content for attendees. The Team Dealer Track included “Increasing Team Sports Participation” – a session that generated a great deal of interest given the importance of participation to the health of the industry - as well as sessions regarding advanced inventory management, recruiting top talent for team dealers, and results from a team dealer road sales compensation study. The Conference Track offered a “State of Sporting
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Goods Retailing” panel along with sessions of a more specific tone such as “How to Fascinate” and “Are You a Genius or a Genius Maker?” The first full day of the event, May 6, included the All-Star Awards Luncheon, during which NSGA honored companies that made notable contributions to the sporting goods industry throughout the previous year. Attendees also enjoyed PGA National’s golf course, as they formed teams and teed up as part of the Official NSGA Golf tournament on the afternoon of May 7. Both first-time and returning attendees appreciated how the event represents a rare and valuable opportunity to bring together hundreds of industry leaders in one location. “This is the best thing that I do, both for myself and the company, every year,” said George C. Kline, Jr., sales pro at BSN Sports – Team Bethlehem. “It’s the only spot where you get to meet everybody in the industry. Since a lot of the trade shows are gone, we don’t get to meet with the big companies anymore. This is just a great event to talk with different people in the industry and learn new ideas.” The event’s keynote speaker, Duke University Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewski, was a highlight for many of the attendees. Taking the stage on Tuesday morning, Krzyzewski captivated the audience with a session entitled “Victory Through Teamwork and Leadership”, during
Enjoying the golf course are left to right: Dale Donaldson, Brad Hause, Colin Hopper and John McTaggart.
Kirby Carr, senior account executive SPS Commerce, Inc., makes a putt during the golf tournament.
during a time when physical education programs are being The State of the Industry Panel included (from left to right) Moderator Brian Shactman, cut from school sports business reporter, CNBC, Kevin Davis, president & CEO, Bauer Hockey, Glen Lyon, curriculums, youth chairman & CEO, The Finish Line, Jim McDonald, senior VP & chief investment strategist, Northern Trust, and Scott Baxter, group president, VP Corp. sports participation is down, and childhood obesity is on the rise. have made numerous contributions to the in“Your industry is needed,” said Kryzyewski dustry and led organizations to new heights. to the audience. “Our country always needs Hooper became the first paid employee of to be involved with teams, because it’s Sports Distributors of Canada, Ltd. in 1975, the crucible that every educational system serving as its president for 37 years until his should use to really teach reality while they’re retirement in January 2012. During his time teaching theory in the classroom.” leading the organization, Sports Distributors of Kryzyewski’s speech left many attendees Canada, Ltd. grew from a few stores to more buzzing afterwards. “Coach K was tremen- than 200, and Hooper helped create two redous. He had to have been the best part of tail brands: Source for Sports and Source for the whole event,” said BSN Sports’ Kline. “We Adventure. Today, Source for Sports has more got a lot out of his talk and the values he prac- storefronts than any other sporting goods retices. He was phenomenal.” tail banner in Canada. Coach K wasn’t the only Hall of Famer who made an impression during the event. On Tuesday night, the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame inducted three new members during a dinner and induction ceremony. The inductees were Randy Hooper, retired president of Sports Distributors of Canada, Ltd.; John Parish, Sr., retired CEO of Worth, Inc.; and Rusty Saunders, owner of Saunders Consulting. The accomplishKeynote speaker, Duke University's Men's ments of each inductee are Basketball Coach Networking is a component of the conference and so it was for truly impressive as all three Mike Krzyzewski. Jeff Rosenthal, Hibbett Sports, Glenn Walls, Franklin Retail Solutions,
which he offered inspirational advice based on his personal experiences from his coaching career. He shared several anecdotes from his time with the Team USA Olympic Men’s Basketball Team, which he coached to gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, and related the lessons he learned from that experience to the leaders in the sporting goods industry attentively listening to him. He encouraged executives of sporting goods companies to lead though teamwork, communication and trust, among other values and skills. Kryzyewski - who is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame - also emphasized the importance of the sporting goods industry to the health and future of the country. He said that the industry is needed to send a positive message
Chris Picini, Spenco Medical, and Jay O'Brien, Modell's Sporting Goods.
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Leading general counsels discuss legal issues effecting the sporting goods industry. From left to right: Mary Tortorice, VP & senior corporate counsel Dick's Sporting Goods, Wade Turner, executive VP & general counsel, Academy Sports + Outdoors, and John Palmer, senior VP & general counsel, Dunham's Sports.
Parish, retired owner and CEO of Worth Sports, Inc., has been an influential force in the bat and ball industry. After assuming leadership of Worth in 1970, Parish turned the company into a major player in one decade. Shortly before taking over as owner, he enhanced the company’s wood bat sales during 1968, and helped Worth enter the aluminum bat market in 1969. He also led a charge in product innovation, making it a leader in the ball market with polyurethane core softballs and Reduced Injury Factor (RIF) baseballs. The three new Hall of Famers have also held other leadership positions for various companies and associations. Each inductee took the time to thank family members and mentors from the industry who were instrumental to their success during their acceptance speeches, adding sentiment to a celebratory evening that capped off a busy day. Saunders has worn many hats throughout his 40-year career in the sporting goods industry, proving to be a leader in multiple capacities. Currently the principal of Saunders Consulting, Saunders has held senior sales and merchandising positions at the MacGregor Division of Brunswick Corporation, in addition to senior management positions in retail. He has been the moderator of the NSGA Management Conference since 2000 and was a founding partner of SportsOneSource. He worked as a sales agent for 19 years where he served as president of his own agency, Saunders & Associates, Inc. Saunders also founded the Get In The Game initiative. “Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is an incredible honor and thrill,” shared Saunders, who also served as moderator of 22 SGBWeekly.com | MAY 27, 2013
Enjoying a reception at the event are (from left to right): Terry Hennessey, president, Source for Sports, Randy Hooper, Sports Distributors of Canada/Source for Sports, and Dick Coffey, board member, Olympia Sports Center.
To kick-off the event, speaker John Gerzema, chief insights officer, Young & Rubicam, discussed the post-crisis consumer.
the conference for the 13th consecutive year, during a conversation with SGB. “If you look at the names in the Hall of Fame, you shake your head. It was a special night. As for the conference itself, my gut feeling is that it will be well rated. Having Coach K there – he was a home run. The rest of the speakers and panels were outstanding.” The conference also provided an opportunity for NSGA to hold a meeting on behalf of Get In The Game (GITG), a volunteer-driven initiative to attract talented college graduates to careers in the sporting goods industry. NSGA originally announced a partnership with GITG in October of last year, pledging to provide strategic, tactical and administrative support to the program to reach students at U.S. colleges and universities. Larry Weindruch, director of NSGA’s team dealer division, updated SGB on the meeting, as well as progress the program has made recently. He noted that GITG has made
presentations to seven colleges and universities this year, with plans for presentations at 20 more during the upcoming fall semester. “One of the cool things that we’re in the process of creating right now is a way to stay closer in touch with the students,” said Weindruch. “Rather than just talking to them once and letting them go on their way, they’re now giving us contact information so that we can send them a newsletter that we’re creating for next semester. Two of the trade publications, SGB and Formula4Media, are also graciously offering student introductory subscriptions at no charge. So if the students are interested in reading more about the industry, we give them the subscription information.” Weindruch also hopes to get help from fellow members of the sporting goods industry to promote Get In The Game. “At the meeting itself, we had a lot of suggestions in improving the presentations, but in general the one thing that everyone at the meeting felt was, ‘the more, the merrier’,” he said. “We’re trying to get more people from within the industry to volunteer for the presentations. We have about 45 or 50 people right now, but we need more, particularly west of the Mississippi.” Anyone interested in helping out by making a presentation is encouraged to contact Weindruch at lweindruch@nsga.org. Even with the 2013 schedule of events still fresh in their minds, attendees have much to look forward to in 2014. The 2014 NSGA Conference & Summit marks the 50th Anniversary of the Management Conference and the 16th Annual Team Dealer Summit. The event will be held from April 27-30, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, CA. ■
MAY 27, 2013 | SGBWeekly.com
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For full year calendar go to sportsonesource.com/events
MAY
AUGUST
2-5
SOS Leadership Development & SGB 40 Under 40 Awards South Beach Miami, FL
5-8
N.S.G.A. Mgmt. Conference Palm Beach Gardens, FL
1-4 SGB Active Lifestyle Investors Conference Salt Lake City, UT
8-9
ASI New York New York, NY
8-10
Sports Inc. Outdoor Show Denver, CO
17-19
Altanta Shoe Market Atlanta, GA
JUNE 18-20
Licensing International Expo Las Vegas, NV
1-4
Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Salt Lake City, UT
SEPTEMBER
26-28 TAG Spring/Summer Show St. Charles, MO
8-10
NBS Fall Semi-Annual Market Fort Worth, TX
27-29 Sports Inc. Athletic Show Denver, CO
18-20
Interbike International Trade Expo Las Vegas, NV
JULY
25-26 Sports & Fitness Industry Assoc. Industry Leaders Summit Baltimore, MD
9-11
TAG Spring/Summer Show St. Charles, MO
10-12
BCA International Billiard & Home Recreation Expo Friedrichshafen, Germany
11-14
European Outdoor Trade Fair Friedrichshafen, Germany
7-8
12-14
A.D.A. Spring Show Milwaukee, WI
16-18
ASI Chicago Chicago, IL
15-17 SGB Sports & Technology Convergence Palo Alto, CA
17-19
NBS Specialty Outdoor Market Fort Worth, TX
18-19
NBS Athletic Market Austin, TX
31
Outdoor Retailer Open Air Demo Salt Lake City, UT
30-2
OIA Rendezvous San Diego, CA
OCTOBER The Retailing Summit Dallas, TX
NOVEMBER 5-7 TAG Fall/Winter Show TBD 15-17
A.D.A. Fall Show San Antonio, TX
24-26 Sports Inc. Athletic Show Las Vegas, NV
TRADE ASSOCIATIONS | BUYING GROUPS
CALENDAR
Athletic Dealers of America 1395 Highland Avenue Melbourne, FL 32935 t 321.254.0091 f 321.242.7419 athleticdealersofamerica.com National Shooting Sports Foundation Flintlock Ridge Office Center 11 Mile Hill Road Newtown, CT 06470 t 203.426.1320 f. 203.426.1087 nssf.org National Sporting Goods Association 1601 Feehanville Drive / Suite 300 Mount Prospect, IL 60056 t 847.296.6742 f 847.391.9827 nsga.org Nation’s Best Sports 4216 Hahn Blvd. Ft. Worth, TX 76117 t 817.788.0034 f 817.788.8542 nbs.com Outdoor Industry Association 4909 Pearl East Circle / Suite 300 Boulder, CO 80301 t 303.444.3353 f 303.444.3284 outdoorindustry.org Sports & Fitness Industry Assoc. 8505 Fenton Street Silver Spring, MD 20910 t 301.495.6321 f 301.495.6322 sfia.org Snow Sports Industries America 8377-B Greensboro Drive McLean, VA 22102 t 703.556.9020 f 703.821.8276 snowsports.org Sports, Inc. 333 2nd Avenue North Lewistown, MT 59457 t 406.538.3496 f 406.538.2801 sportsinc.com Sports Specialists Ltd. 590 Fishers Station Drive / Suite 110 Victor, NY 14564 t 585.742.1010 f 585.742.2645 sportsspecialistsltd.com Team Athletic Goods 629 Cepi Drive Chesterfield, MO 63005 t 636.530.3710 f 636.530.3711 tag1.com Worldwide 8211 South 194th Kent, WA 98032 t 253.872.8746 f 253.872.7603 wdi-wdi.com
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Summer Market JULY 31-AUGUST 3, 2013
Open Air Demo JULY 30, 2013
UR S YO AR K D R A EN M L CA
Winter Market JANUARY 22-25, 2014
All Mountain Demo JANUARY 21, 2014
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