Industry: News


SteriPEN to supply UK direct


S


teriPEN has said it is considering having a direct presence in the UK after Rosker


announced it was stopping distribution of the water purification range.


Rosker said that it has taken the decision to


part ways with SteriPEN after advising the US firm not to start directly supplying the UK division of a discount online retailer. Rosker managing director Ralph White said:


“We felt that strategically this was not in the best long-term interests of our customers or the brand in the UK. “Recently, senior members of SteriPEN visited


us in the UK and met with some of our leading dealers and heard points of view on the subject of supplying a discount internet retailer. We believed we had convinced them this wasn’t a good strategy for the UK. Unfortunately, SteriPEN disagreed, met the UK division of this retailer without our knowledge and reached an agreement to supply them direct anyway. “The internet has a valuable presence in the UK


outdoor market and web-based sales are continually growing. We already supply many internet-specific retailers who have good business models that add value to the brands they sell, but in this case we felt that a discount internet retailer would put our existing dealers unfairly under threat.” When contacted SteriPEN said it had been


caught ‘flatfooted’ by Rosker’s decision to stop distributing its products in the UK and Ireland. A spokesman said current UK customers will be


served by SteriPEN Europe out of the Netherlands in the immediate future. Parent Hydro-Photon began direct operations in key European countries through SteriPEN Europe in April, with an initial focus on serving the French and German markets. SteriPEN's spokesman said: “We are looking at the possibility of having a direct presence in the UK, as well as growing into other key European markets, but in the immediate future UK customers will be serviced by our European operation in the Netherlands." The spokesman added that a new


USB powered water


purification device is due to hit the market


sometime in August.


Trekmates MD aims for top O


utdoor accessories supplier Trekmates has appointed Keith Paxton as its new managing


director, and he immediately signalled his intention to make the brand a leading name in the outdoor sector. Paxton took up his position on June 1, and has a


background in the outdoor industry having previously worked for Fiskars in the US as executive vice president with responsibility for the Gerber and Brunton brands. He has also worked as UK managing director for Silva and spent time with Columbia and Adidas. Speaking to SGB Outdoor Paxton said: “Trekmates has a good position in the market with an


excellent value proposition for consumers. “A brand study has shown that we are in the top 10 recognised names in the speciality outdoor


sector, but I want to build the brand even further. I learnt at Columbia that consumers appreciate products that they value, and the importance of innovation. “Accessories are often overlooked when it comes to development as they are seen as a stable


revenue stream, but I want to expand our product line with innovative ranges. Wholesale business responds to innovation.


Hilly takes on full- time rep


T


echnical performance sock brand Hilly has appointed Alex Wilson as its first full-time representative, covering London, the south-east and the Channel Isles. Hilly has a team of agents that represent it across the UK, of which Wilson was one. However, he has now been brought onboard on a permanent basis and given responsibility for a larger area.


Sister company Ronhill has a number of full- time representatives and Graham Richards, brand director for both Ronhill and Hilly, said the pair are benefitting from growing interest in their products from the UK as well as international markets Richards said: “We have plans to grow distribution both domestically and through export. We recently had our first international sales meeting and there was a common theme that running is growing in many markets. “People know the brands and want to work


with us. There has been a marked increase in interest in the brands in the last 12 months. Exhibiting at ISPO for the first time also helped.” Richards said Hilly is also looking to get more involved with the outdoor market and is working hard on its business strategy. “No doubt it’s tough in the UK, but aspects of the business are doing really well.


“We want to grow our distribution and, while we are still focusing on the UK, the obvious way to do this is by doing more in international markets.”


Of Wilson, Richards said: “I am really pleased to have Alex onboard as a full-time employee. He is held in high respect by the retail trade and I am certain that he will enable us to move the brand further forward.”


4 www.sgboutdoor.co.uk


1000 Mile intros new accessories range


1


000 Mile Sportswear has launched a new range of accessories onto the market


through the Ultimate Performance brand. The Ultimate Performance line-up will launch


with hydration bottles and belts, music carriers, hats, gloves, spikes, laces and head torches. The Ultimate Performance range is 1000 Mile Sportswear’s second own-brand range following 1000 Mile socks, which was the company’s launch product at the end of the 1980s. Now 1000 Mile Sportswear is also the UK distributor for Nathan running performance accessories, GustBuster golf and fashion umbrellas, Lock Laces, Noène shock dispersing materials, Maxim nutrition products and Compeed plasters. The company’s mission statement reads:


“1000 Mile Sportswear is constantly seeking prestige and premium quality new and innovative products in relevant fields.” 1000 Mile Sportswear brand development


manager Nik Aveyard said: “We put our years of experience in the manufacturing and marketing of our 1000 Mile socks to good use in developing a second own-brand range. “The Ultimate Performance brand sits


perfectly within our portfolio of well being, sport and leisure brands and our customers can rest assured that every product fulfils our usual high standards of design, quality and performance. “Plans to introduce further new products will be implemented over the next few months.”


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