OUTDOOR & FITNESS
Triathlon sector unites to form pro-tri body
New association says ‘2012 promises to be the biggest ever year for tri’ By: Jonathon Harker
THE TRIATHLON industry has united to form a new trade body – the Triathlon Industry Association (TIA). The new grouping brings together UK- based manufacturers, distributors and suppliers of swim, bike and running products. Fittingly, the triumvirate of David
Townsend of TCR Shows, Paul Shanley of
Tri247.com and Gary Roethenbaugh of
triathlonbusiness.com have been the driving force behind the formaton of TIA. They will coordinate, manage and establish the Association until the election of a Members Board at its first AGM. “We received nothing but positivity for the initiative from a variety of businesses and this has been reflected by the number of advance sign-ups we have had,” Townsend explained. “Without exception, people we spoke to acknowledged the need to develop a collective voice
in recognition of the maturity of the industry.” The TIA has four key areas where it will aim to bolster the growing tri business:
To act as a central representative body to put forward the industry’s views to media, government, parliament and Europe
Ongoing research, statistics, analysis and other relevant market information
Networking and business development opportunities
A forum for the exchange of non- competitive information Founding members include Aqua Sphere, Chain Reaction Cycles, Clif Bar, Dean Jackson, Orca, Speedo, TCR Shows, TFN,
Tri247.com,
triathlonbusiness.com, Xtra Mile Events and ZipVit. Joining fees for the TIA are £350.
www.triathlonindustryassociation.org
Flurry of buy outs in the Outdoor biz JD Sports acquires Blacks Howies buys back business from Timberland Sports Direct closes on Hot Tuna
OVER THE last month a number of key acquisitions and buy-outs have taken place in the outdoor sector, including JD Sports’ £20 million purchase of retail and brand owner Blacks Leisure Group. Black’s portfolio includes around 100
Blacks shops and 200 Millets outlets, and according to reports the performance of all of these stores will be assessed by the new owner before deciding which store will be retained by JD Sports. A statement from JD said: "Following the elimination of any underperforming stores and other cost reduction initiatives we believe the business can be run successfully as independent fascias within the [JD Sports] group." January also saw reports emerge that
Welsh clothing brand Howies has cut its ties with VF Group, which bought out Timberland Group last year. Howies said it had been gradually working on buying back its business to become a standalone unit again throughout 2011.
54 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY
Elsewhere in the outdoor sector, surfmaker brand Hot Tuna has been closely courted by Sports Direct. Hot Tuna has been in the market for a buyer since November 14th 2011. For the year ended
“Following the elimination of any underperforming stores, we believe the business can be run successfully.”
June 20th 2011 (announced December 30th), sales were “disappointing” resulting in an operation loss prior to exceptional items of £0.86 million. Sports Direct is expected to acquire Hot Tuna’s assets and IP, joining Direct’s Dunlop, Slazenger, Karrimor, Donnay and Everlast brands.
BIKEBIZ.COM
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