Eric Smith

SGB Media • June 11 2020

Sea To Summit Ready To Begin Delayed, Disrupted New Chapter

The coronavirus didn’t stop Sea to Summit from acquiring its North American distribution partner, but it did delay the closing date by more than a month. Founder Roland Tyson and NA General Manager Josh Simpson spoke with SGB Executive about how the brand overcame integration challenges amid the pandemic and what lies ahead.

SGB Media • June 9 2020

May M&A Roundup: Has Market Hit Rock Bottom?

May was another slow month for M&A in the active-lifestyle marketplace with only a few deals announced and one high-profile acquisition formally abandoned at the finish line. Now that struggling businesses are seeking a lifeline and aggressive buyers are eyeing distressed assets, was this the bottom?

SGB Media • May 20 2020

Run Specialty Channel Facing 'Slow Burn Back To Normalcy'

As the country enters this next phase of the COVID-19 crisis, the run specialty channel is facing a particularly hard slog with many brands and retailers unlikely to keep pace if the economy reopens too slowly. The latest survey from the Running Industry Association (RIA) highlighted just how bad things are—and how much worse they could get.

SGB Media • May 19 2020

SOG Forges New Chapter During 'Perfect Time' For Rebrand

Studies and Observations Group (SOG), the Seattle, WA-based maker of knives, tools and packs, is taking the brand in a new direction. The company’s leadership talks about what the next chapter entails and why the economic uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic is a perfect backdrop for the reconfiguration.

SGB Media • May 18 2020

M&A Remains On VF Corp.'s Radar Amid Crisis

VF Corp. missed fiscal fourth-quarter earnings and revenue estimates and now faces a soft retail demand environment, but the company remains resolute about pursuing M&A amid this challenging economy. We look at how VF’s financial strength and appetite for adding assets has set the stage for a deal.

SGB Media • May 15 2020

How Ongoing 'Evolution' Prepared VF For Current Crisis

The ongoing evolution of VF Corp.—which began in 2017 and was elevated last year through several measures—has the Denver, CO-based well-positioned during this ongoing pandemic. CEO Steve Rendle and CFO Scott Roe discussed VF’s playbook for getting the company back on track after a hard-hit Q4.

SGB Media • May 14 2020

May 14 Coronavirus Notebook: Petzl's Preparation, M&A Moderation And More

As part of SGB Executive’s ongoing coronavirus coverage, we are highlighting companies and categories that are doing well. Our latest Coronavirus Notebook looks at how Salt Lake City, UT-based gear maker Petzl prepared for the pandemic. We also look at the potential freeze on M&A and recap our recent COVID-19 stories.

SGB Media • May 13 2020

Dorel Sports Finds 'Silver Lining In Pandemic Cloud'

With more people now looking to ride bikes, the coronavirus has presented a unique opportunity for Dorel Sports, the owner/operator of such brands as Cannondale, Schwinn, GT and Mongoose. “There has been a silver lining in this pandemic cloud,” said Dorel President and CEO Martin Schwartz.

SGB Media • May 12 2020

Clarus Brings 'Climber's Mentality' To COVID-19 Response

Clarus Corp., the parent of core backcountry brand Black Diamond among others, took on the COVID-19 pandemic with a “climber’s mentality,” President John Walbrecht said on Monday afternoon’s earnings call. SGB Executive breaks down the company’s "live now, climb another day" approach to this crisis.

SGB Media • May 11 2020

Conversation With Superfeet President And CEO John Rauvola

In this latest installment of SGB Executive’s series of interviews with industry leaders exploring how businesses are coping with the coronavirus, Superfeet President and CEO John Rauvola discusses how the coronavirus has impacted Superfeet, why the company was called to help and the brand’s recovery plan.

SGB Media • May 8 2020

Callaway Hoping Short-Term Impact Leads To Long-Term Growth

Callaway Golf Co. reported first-quarter net sales decreased 14 percent due to the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on both the golf equipment and soft goods operating segments globally, but the company is hopeful that the short-term pain will eventually yield to long-term success as the golf industry returns to normal.

SGB Media • May 8 2020

How Camping World's Pre-Pandemic Shift Paid Off

The timing of a strategy shift can be just as important as what it entails, and Camping World Holdings Inc.’s decision to exit outdoor retail last year—well ahead of the current COVID-19 pandemic—has proved rather auspicious.

SGB Media • May 7 2020

Vista Outdoor Closes Book On Transformational Fiscal Year

When Vista Outdoor Inc. ended its fiscal fourth quarter on March 31, the Anoka, MN-based company closed the book on a transformational year that included a portfolio shakeup, business segment realignment and, of course, an economy-crushing pandemic that drastically altered the demand environment.

SGB Media • May 7 2020

Peloton Gains Steam As New Exercise Trends Create Tailwind

In the early days of the coronavirus, when shelter-in-place orders were announced and gyms around the country were forced to close, Peloton Interactive Inc. was identified as a potential beneficiary. Things didn’t go quite so well for Peloton initially, but the company’s fortunes have improved, as evidenced by its fiscal third-quarter earnings.

SGB Media • May 6 2020

How Nautilus Met The Coronavirus-Driven At-Home Fitness Demand

Count Nautilus Inc. among the so-called “winners” to emerge during the time of coronavirus. Not only did shelter-in-place orders result in closed gyms and heightened social distancing measures over the last two months, forcing people to exercise in the comfort—and safety—of their own homes, but fears of a second wave of COVID-19 are likely to further drive that trend.

SGB Media • May 6 2020

April M&A Roundup: CODI, Exxel, Vicis And More

April was another slow month for M&A in the active-lifestyle market as the coronavirus continued to ravage traditional business transactions, but a few deals were either announced or completed, including those from Compass Diversified Holdings (CODI), Exxel Outdoors and Vicis.

SGB Media • May 5 2020

Emerald Outlines COVID-19 Response Playbook

With many of its trade shows—including Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in June—already canceled or postponed, Emerald Holding Inc. has shifted into full pivot mode as it works to maintain liquidity through this downturn and convert some events to virtual ones.

SGB Media • May 4 2020

Newell's Outdoor Brands Crushed As Consumers Shelter In Place

Without places for consumers to recreate or easily buy gear and apparel during the coronavirus, outdoor brands have gotten crushed in the process. And Newell Brands—parent of Coleman and Marmot—is the latest to publicly announce just how bad things have gotten in this space.

SGB Media • May 1 2020

'Preparedness Mindset' Bodes Well For 5.11 Tactical

The nationwide demand for prepping products helped 5.11 Tactical perform ahead of the expectations that parent company Compass Diversified Holdings LLC (CODI) laid out for the brand in the first quarter. In CODI's overall branded consumer businesses, revenues and EBITDA increased 4.2 percent and 4.3 percent, respectively.

SGB Media • May 1 2020

Clarus Terminates SKB Acquisition Due To COVID-19 Uncertainty

Clarus Corp., in an 8-K filing Friday morning, said it was terminating its planned acquisition of protective case manufacturer S.K.B. Corporation (SKB) due to “recent events surrounding the COVID-19 global pandemic, and the economic uncertainties in the United States and globally.”

SGB Media • May 1 2020

Is Your Outdoor Brand Eligible For Tariff Relief?

A Thursday webcast hosted by the Outdoor Industry Association outlined the ways that outdoor brands that make a variety of products can apply for tariff exclusions or deferrals, saving them money during this difficult time. It’s a tricky process, but here are a few tips on how to begin.

SGB Media • April 30 2020

Why Garmin Is Bullish On Post-Coronavirus Opportunities

Garmin Ltd. might have withdrawn its fiscal 2020 guidance due to coronavirus-related economic uncertainty, but the Olathe, KS-based maker of wearable technology and at-home fitness products emerged from the first quarter with an unusual abundance of confidence. President and CEO Cliff Pemble explains why.

SGB Media • April 29 2020

Rocky Brands Leans On Essential Businesses, E-Commerce In Q1

Two-thirds of Rocky Brands Inc.’s wholesale partners have been deemed essential during the coronavirus crisis, while the company’s own e-commerce channel has seen a spike in sales, both of which helped the company navigate an otherwise difficult first quarter.

SGB Media • April 28 2020

Amid Record Sales In 2019, REI Co-Op Ramps Up Reinvestment

Last year was one of transition for REI Co-op, highlighted by a surprising and controversial change at CEO. But 2019 also saw the Kent, WA-based retail giant continue to ramp up its investment in the outdoor community.