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Mips with good start into 2024 on the back of bike market recovery
For the first time, the slump in the bicycle market was no longer the main reason for the decline in sales in Mips’ Q1 2024 earnings report, as was previously the case. Not the subcategory “Bicycle,” but the subcategory “Snow” was the main driver of the 6 percent decline in ...
Strava appoints new Chief Product Officer and Chief Technology Officer
Strava, the connected fitness subscription platform with more than 125 million athletes, has appointed two new executives: Matt Salazar as Chief Product Officer and Rob Terrell as Chief Technology Officer. Both bring extensive experience in successfully scaling global product portfolios, leading organizations through integral growth phases and cultivating high-growth communities.
Strong demand for travel packs should bolster Osprey sales in EMEA, APAC
Osprey parent Helen of Troy reported 5.4 percent Q4 sales growth for its Home and Outdoor segment to $223.3 million. Segment revenues were sparked by higher sales in the brick-and-mortar and club channels, higher insulated beverageware sales from its Hydro Flex business, and international growth led by strong demand for ...
Shimano value sales down double-digit in Q1
Even during the bicycle boom in the Covid years, the world’s leading bicycle component manufacturer Shimano Inc. repeatedly stepped on the brakes in its outlook for the time after the pandemic. At least the sales figures for the first quarter of 2024 show that the Japanese company was not so ...
Revelyst hires supply chain and operations leader
While Vista Outdoor is still working to shape its future in the best interests of its shareholders, Revelyst, the former outdoor products segment of Vista Outdoor Inc., has announced the appointment of Joe Beck as its first Chief Supply Chain Officer, effective 22 April.
Snowleader raises €15 million
Thomas Roualt, founder and CEO, has announced on his LinkedIn page that Snowleader has raised €15 million in a fourth round of financing in 15 years (the company turned 15 years old last year). According to Fusacq and others, half of the funds stem from equity capital and half from ...
Performance textiles: next-generation materials
Sportswear Design Expert Alexa Dehmel introduces you to the next-generation materials you have to know.
Arc’teryx announces new climate targets, including net zero by 2050 – or sooner
Arc’teryx has announced ambitious new science-based climate targets, taking a further step in its ongoing commitment to sustainability. This includes the brand’s first-ever net zero target.
Lycra launches campaign for new bio-derived Lycra fiber
US fiber and technology solutions specialist The Lycra Company launched an integrated media campaign on Earth Day (April 22) to promote the upcoming launch of bio-derived Lycra fiber made with Qira. The sustainable fiber solution will be available in early 2025 and is the result of a unique collaboration with ...
Vista Outdoor leaves option open to sell to MNC for higher price
The uncertainty surrounding the future of Vista Outdoor, respectively Revelyst and The Kinetic Group, continues as the company officially confirmed on April 22 that it has resumed negotiations with Montréal-based MNC Capital in connection with the unsolicited expression of interest dated March 25, 2024, in which MNC indicated it was ...
Mammut rewards employees for successful CO2 reductions
Mammut’s self-imposed CO2 reduction targets (Mammut’s sustainability principles and activities can be found here) are now becoming an important factor in the performance-related remuneration of the Swiss mountain sports company’s approximately 800 employees, as for the first time, Mammut’s CO2 performance will be included in the calculation of the annual ...
Haglöfs reduces CO2 emissions in 2023 with the help of the economic situation
In its latest sustainability report for 2023, Swedish outdoor brand Haglöfs shows that the 62 percent decrease in CO2 emissions compared to the previous year is not necessarily due to its continued concrete actions to reduce emissions but primarily due to the complex macroeconomic environment of the year, which led ...
HeiQ unveils anti-odor technology for feather and down products
Swiss ingredients brand HeiQ is introducing a new anti-odor product addition to its HeiQ Fresh range to eliminate persistent malodor on feather and down products. Biobased HeiQ Fresh for Feather & Down utilizes a novel combination of pre- and probiotics (synbiotics) which helps to break up the smelly components. The ...
New CFO for Kent Outdoors, secures $100m credit facility, plans sale of bike business
US group Kent Outdoors, which comprises 15 outdoor and action sports brands, including HO/Hyperlite, Connelly, Liquid Force, Onyx, Aquaglide, Barefoot/Fatsac and Bote, has appointed Rob Otto to the company’s leadership team as Chief Financial Officer.
BlackYak and Korean chemical companies develop sustainable trekking shoe
The South Korean companies SK Chemicals, Dongsung Chemical and BlackYak jointly announced that they have developed sustainable footwear materials using the naturally derived material Ecotrion and applied it to BlackYak’s trekking shoe 343 Max. The new shoe was presented on April 18 after a year of collaboration.
TNF presents Paris 2024 climbing uniforms for USA, Japan, South Korea and Austria
Earlier this week, The North Face (TNF) unveiled the official sport climbing competition uniforms to be worn by athletes from the US, Japan, South Korea and Austria in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Norrøna becomes member of Fair Wear Foundation
Norwegian family-owned outdoor company Norrøna announced its new membership with non-profit organization Fair Wear Foundation. The membership is a key step toward the sustainability targets outlined in its Norrøna 2029 Roadmap, which aims for the brand being the most responsible outdoor company.
How to bring innovative materials into the supply chain
Ambercycle, an innovative company using novel molecular regeneration technologies to transform used textiles into decarbonized, circular materials for brand owners, and womenswear brand Ganni have worked together to launch Cycora – the first commercially viable regenerated alternative to virgin polyester from Ambercycle.
Norwegian Second-Hand Trade Act to change
On April 5, the Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry, Jan Christian Vestre, presented the government’s proposed changes to the Second-Hand Act at Bergans’ flagship store in Oslo. The choice of location was not accidental: Bergans, together with several other retailers, has been strongly in favor of changing the law. ...
Opening of first Brompton Junction in Austria
Just in time for the Vienna Bike Festival on Rathausplatz, Brompton opened Austria’s first “Junction” in Vienna on April 13, 2024. The British brand specializing in urban bike mobility is now presenting its folding bikes in collaboration with Citybiker.at in the new flagship store at Lerchenfelder Straße 15.
AAG uses Oeko-Tex 100 certified water-based inks for garment printing
As part of a wide-ranging initiative to reduce its environmental impact and comply with evolving global chemical regulations, Active Apparel Group (AAG), a California-based manufacturer of performance apparel for the leisure/lifestyle and active markets, announced the use of Oeko-Tex 100 Class 1 water-based inks in its manufacturing process.
Sympatex presents new Sherpa laminate at Techtextil
At Techtextil Frankfurt, April 23–26, 2024, Sympatex will present Sherpa, a new laminate concept that combines the advantages of the classic quilted jacket with those of a membrane jacket.
Nemo announces new and renewed partnerships
New Hampshire-based outdoor gear brand Nemo Equipment has announced its list of 2024 partners that closely align with the company values of innovation, community and sustainability. With an emphasis on access, inclusivity and conservation, the brand has renewed key partnerships and added new ones to get more folks outdoors and ...
Vaude launches second-hand online shop
Vaude has launched the sale of second-hand products at www.rent-secondhand.vaude.com – currently only in Germany. The offer is meant to provide an environmentally friendly, yet inexpensive alternative to buying new clothing and equipment. The second-hand web shop offers a large selection of used outdoor equipment in great condition. As a ...
Cirql launches fully recyclable midsole made from 30% recycled TPU
US-based insole specialist OrthoLite, the company behind Cirql, a provider of sustainable material solutions for the global footwear industry, has launched a new midsole foam called Cirql rTPU30. According to Cirql, the patented innovation consists of 30 percent recycled TPU material and is manufactured through a chemical-free, supercritical foaming process. ...
Swedish Supreme Court confirms reorganization plan for Sportshopen’s parent
On 15 April, the Swedish Supreme Court confirmed the restructuring plan for Swedemount Sportswear & Fashion AB.
European retail giants allegedly linked to unethical Brazilian cotton
As our sister website Shoe Intelligence reports, the British non-governmental organization (NGO) Earthsight is accusing H&M and Inditex of using cotton “linked to land grabbing, illegal deforestation, violence, human rights violations and corruption in Brazil.” It is also calling on governments to regulate the fashion industry on the grounds that ...
Isbjörn chooses Lignin Net Zero Bags for e-commerce
Swedish outdoor children’s clothing brand Isbjörn is partnering with Lignin Industries, also from Sweden, as part of its sustainability commitment, which includes bold Net Zero targets. By choosing Lignin Industries’ Net Zero Bag for its e-commerce deliveries, the company believes it is one step closer to its commitment to reduce ...
Kith and Columbia Sportswear team up again - this time for camping gear
After an outdoor lifestyle collection in 2022 and a fishing collection in 2023, Kith is continuing its partnership with Columbia Sportswear and presents the brand new Kith for Columbia 2024 collection – this time a comprehensive range of apparel, accessories and footwear designed for outdoor camping.
Bike-flipping: to boost sales and encourage sustainability
Alejandro Pons sees great potential for reconditioned bicycles both in his company’s domestic market of Spain and abroad. Pons is the founder and CEO of Tuvalum, an online platform for the sale of second-hand bicycles, and has expounded his views to CMDsport.