The latest news, analysis and data on corporate strategic initiatives, the latest mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, insolvencies and cooperations in the outdoor industry.
Bergfreunde changes ownership
Bergfreunde GmbH, the German online specialist retailer for mountain sports, climbing and outdoor equipment, has a new strategic partner: French sporting goods manufacturer and retailer Decathlon is acquiring the German company from US outdoor retailer Backcountry. The purchase agreement was signed on Nov. 24, 2023. The completion of the transaction ...
Devold: 170 years of wool garments made in Europe
The Outdoor Industry Compass spoke with Herbert Horelt, Managing Director of Devold of Norway GmbH, and Tor Jonsson, General Manager at UAB Devold.
Harley-Davidson’s e-bike offshoot Serial 1 changes hands
The e-bike supplier Serial 1 Cycle Company, founded by the iconic US motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson in 2020, has been sold to LEV Manufacturing. This provider of light electric vehicles (LEV) focuses on US production “using processes from the free trade zone with a US certificate of origin.” The purchase price ...
Bleed enters provisional insolvency
In a letter to his loyal customers and in a German-language video (below), Michael Spitzbarth, owner of the sustainable outdoor brand Bleed, explains that his company, which he founded 15 years ago, has had to file for provisional insolvency despite all attempts to avoid this situation. “The sum of many ...
Norrøna opens new headquarters in Lysaker
Norrøna, the Norwegian family-owned outdoor apparel and adventure travel company, unveiled its brand new global headquarters in Lysaker, Norway, on Nov. 8. The brand welcomed a host of international guests to the opening of the 3,000-sqm building, which includes Norrøna’s largest and most immersive store to date, a flexible, modern ...
SSU: What has happened so far – and what may still come
In a joint statement, the two insolvency administrators appointed, Dr. Christian Gerloff from the Munich law firm Gerloff-Liebler Rechtsanwälte and Stefan Meyer from Ulm-based Pluta Rechtsanwalts GmbH, point out that the operational business of the two insolvent Signa Sports United (SSU) spin-offs Tennis-Point GmbH and Internetstores GmbH (alias Internetstores Group, ...
Marucci Sports sold to Fox Factory
Compass Diversified (CoDi), the Westport, Connecticut-based owner of several sporting goods brands, including Boa Technology, 5.11, PrimaLoft and Velocity Outdoor, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its majority-owned subsidiary Wheelhouse Holdings, Inc, the parent company of Marucci Sports, to publicly traded suspension and suspension expert ...
WSF extends existing crowdinvesting campaign
In August, Austrian bicycle and e-bike contract manufacturer WSF Bicycle Technology GmbH launched a crowdinvesting campaign on crowdfunding platform Conda with a funding target of €400,000. The company, which was founded in 2020 and is based in Regau, Upper Austria, plans to use the money to increase its production from ...
Wave of insolvencies at SSU seems unleashed
While Signa Sports United (SSU) offshoot Internetstores GmbH (Addnature, Bikester, Brügelmann, Campz, Fahrrad.de, Probikeshop) is said to have informed its suppliers of impending insolvency in self-administration and British affiliate WiggleCRC is believed to have done the same in its home country, German Tennis-Point GmbH has already filed for insolvency on ...
Signa Holding sells Sport Scheck to British Frasers Group
On Oct. 17, Signa Retail Department Store Holding GmbH announced the sale of the German sporting goods chain SportScheck to British sporting goods and fashion retailer Frasers Group. Frasers runs, among other brands, Europe’s largest retailer of sports and fitness footwear, apparel and equipment, Sports Direct. No details were given ...