Industry: News


OTS and Tent Show to merge T


he Outdoor Trade Show (OTS) and Stoneleigh Tent Show will merge next year following a survey of the outdoor industry.


MCS, the organiser of both OTS and the Tent Show, undertook a survey of both retailers and manufacturers to assess the desire in the market to merge the shows. It said 80 per cent of retailers and manufacturers preferred the idea of a joint show, with expenses and time away from the business cited as the main reasons. In addition, retailers said one show with a longer duration would be the ideal option, with the first two weeks of September the preferred date. The merged show will be known as OTS going forward, with Alistair Scobbie from MCS saying the investment put into developing the OTS brand made it an obvious choice. Scobbie added that the merger of the two shows overcomes reservations that some exhibitors had about exhibiting at two shows so close together and will draw a greater number of exhibitors, particularly from the tent and camping categories, to the show.


In a joint statement with Marta Williams, also of MCS, Scobbie said: “We are very pleased to announce that the two shows will unite in 2012, ending a few years of debate within the industry and solving the problem of OTS exhibitors wishing to display tents. “Both shows are


organised with the needs of retailers in mind and we are delighted to be able to move forward with one show that will tick all the boxes in terms of location, timing and convenience. The new show will be the largest outdoor trade event in the UK and we are looking forward to hosting the industry in 2012.”


OTS 2012 will run from September 10-13 next year, with space rates and floor plans for the show to be released in the coming weeks.


Powertraveller heads west P


ortable power specialist Powertraveller said ‘now is the time for us a brand’ after receiving acclaim at Outdoor retailer in the US.


Powertravller attended Outdoor Retailer as an exhibitor for the first time and said it received an ‘amazing reaction’ to its products. In a statement, the company said: “Outdoor Retailer was incredible. We had an amazing reaction to our range and we are firmly of the opinion that the time is now for us as a brand. We will be using Outdoor Tactical Enterprises as our distribution partner. It currently distributes Walkstool and Numa Sport Optics, amongst others.”


SGB Outdoor was introduced to Steve Siderias, the chief executive officer of Outdoor Tactical Enterprises at ISPO in July, and experience his first hand his passion for the Powertraveller range, as well as Walkstool.


During ISPO, Powertraveller chief executive officer Jerry Ranger (pictured at Outdoor Retailer)


said attending Outdoor Retailer would allow the company to explore the US outdoor market further. It already sells products in the US but, said Ranger, this is primarily to people that already known the brand.


“It’s a huge market and we need to make sure more know about us and our products; it’s the same in Europe.


“Marketing and awareness are key and Outdoor Retailer being outdoor focused allows us to take a more targeted approach to the US market. We want to take a rifle shot across the Atlantic as opposed to wildly shooting at the market.”


Regatta ups warehousing to 1m sq ft T


he Regatta Group has opened a new warehousing facility in Ellesmere Port that almost doubles its capacity, a move the company said will help grow its international business. The group, which owns the Regatta, Craghoppers, Dare 2b, Regatta Professional and Hawkshead brands, said export accounts represent more than 40 per cent of turnover, with products shipped to more than 44 countries worldwide.


Dedicated sales offices operate in Europe, 4 www.sgboutdoor.co.uk


Whitby grows product portfolio


O utdoor distributor


Whitby & Co has made several product announcements in recent weeks,


growing its portfolio of products on offer to the market.


This includes new knives from Buck and Wenger, and a new


series of Leatherman multitools with a value price point.


Whitby & Co will distribute three new knives from Buck, the Revel, FlashPoint and Redpoint, which have been designed to meet a range of tasks while enjoying the great outdoors and will be available in time for the autumn/winter season. From Wenger, the distributor is to offer the new Ueli Steck climbing knife, which has been developed in collaboration with the Swiss mountaineer of the same name. Designed with climbers, mountaineers and backcountry skiers in mind, the knife can be opened while using gloves, or with just one hand. It also has a unique system whereby tools can be removed or added to customise its functionality for different situations.


The Leatherman Wingman and Sidekick (pictured) will retail for £39.95 and £49.95 respectively and are both designed for a number of tasks around the home, garden, workshop or outdoors, Whitby & Co said.


Each features a suite of tools including files, saws, screwdrivers, wire strippers, can and bottle openers and scissors. The Wingman has 14 tools while the Sidekick 15. Both feature a 6.6cm blade and weigh 198.4g.


Garry Woodhouse, sales and marketing director at Whitby & Co, said: “They are the first full-size Leatherman multitools to be available in this price category. These outstanding products are a great addition to the Leatherman range and are sure to prove an excellent Christmas gift this year.”


Eastern Europe and Israel, with expansion this year into the American and Australian markets. The Ellesmere Port warehouse is expected to be up and running in early November. Operations director David Holt said: “The opening of this new warehouse will take our capacity to one million sq ft and will give us a strong platform for the future growth of the business.”


Keith Black, Regatta Group chief executive officer, said: “Continuing to provide exemplary


customer service, as our company grows at a rate of 20 per cent year-on-year, is of utmost importance to us.


“This new facility will ensure that our service is taken to the next level.”


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