GSM Outdoors Acquires Camillus Cutlery
For more than 140 years, Camillus Cutlery has supplied high-quality knives throughout the world. Known for its reliability and innovation, Camillus is one of the oldest knife manufacturers in the industry.
“Camillus is no stranger to innovation, reliability and high-quality manufacturing,” said Zach Henderson, chief sales officer at GSM Outdoors. “This acquisition adds another pillar to our already premier lineup of cutlery brands. We are thrilled to be the stewards of the next chapter in Camillus’ rich history and adding them to the GSM family.”
“We have a strategic vision for the Camillus brand,” said Edward Castro, CEO of GSM Outdoors. “By engaging our customer relationships, utilizing our best engineering practices, and maintaining superior manufacturing, we are confident in GSM’s ability to continue growing Camillus into a brand that everyone knows, trusts and depends on for years to come.”
GSM Outdoors Acquires Cuda Fishing Tools
Cuda, a well-respected company that makes a comprehensive line of fishing tools, is now part of the GSM Outdoors family. This acquisition fills a vital need in GSM’s growing fishing portfolio. Tested and designed by professionals, Cuda fishing tools are built to last in all types of water.
“We recognize the tool and accessory category as an integral piece of the fishing experience, and something missing from our portfolio,” said Crispin Powley, GSM senior VP of fishing. “When researching the category, the Cuda brand became the benchmark for what we found ourselves comparing every other brand to. In staying true with our mission of providing the highest quality of products to our consumers and retail partners, we are very honored to add this brand to the GSM family.”
“We have an incredible vision for Cuda building off its tradition of quality products that add value for anglers everywhere,” said Edward Castro, CEO of GSM Outdoors. “Utilizing our customer relations, top-notch engineering, and quality manufacturing, we strongly feel that we can grow Cuda into a brand that all anglers will rely upon.”
For inquiries about these two recent acquisitions by GSM Outdoors, contact marketing@gsmorg.com.
Buck Knives Welcomes New VP of Sales
Buck Knives recently announced that outdoor industry veteran Marty Carlson has been named VP of Sales. Taking the helm of sales leadership, Carlson will oversee the company’s internal and external sales organization and independent rep groups serving more than 3,000 customers worldwide. Carlson will also look to accelerate growth and further strengthen the iconic Buck Knives brand and its 120-plus-year knife making legacy.
Carlson has held senior-level sales positions at several industry-leading outdoor and sporting goods companies during his career. Most recently he was the senior director of sales – camping and watercraft for Johnson Outdoors, a publicly-held manufacturer and distributor of innovative outdoor recreational equipment for camping and watercraft enthusiasts. Prior to that, he was a top sales executive at Gerber, progressively leading sales efforts for more than 10 years culminating with his position as director of sales.
“Carlson brings tremendous outdoor- and cutlery-industry experience to Buck Knives, as well as a long track record of success, and we’re very pleased to have him on the team,” said Lane Tobiassen, president of Buck Knives. “I have no doubt that Marty will propel our sales organization and company to new heights as we continue building on our 120-year legacy of iconic products and superior craftsmanship.”
With more than 20 years of experience in sales, 13 in the outdoor industry, and 10 specifically in the cutlery market, Carlson will further optimize Buck’s extensive distribution and work to continually bring exceptional service while widening the market for Buck Knives.
“I am very excited to lead the team at Buck Knives,” said Carlson. “It’s such an honor to be welcomed into this family, and my experience in the outdoor industry and cutlery market gives me the insight and perspective needed to drive sales strategies forward and execute on an exciting period of growth for Buck Knives.”
Zanders Sporting Goods Hires Jeff Krieg as New Sales Manager
With the recent promotions of Danny Siegler and Lucas Poston to their respective new roles, Zanders Sporting Goods needed to backfill the sales manager position. Jeff Krieg was an ideal candidate to fill the position.
Krieg grew up in southern Illinois and attended Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, and received a degree in business and risk management. For the last 20 years, he has held several management and supervisory positions in the retail industry.
Krieg has always had a passion for the outdoors and enjoys spending family time, hiking, fishing, mountain biking and traveling. When Krieg learned about the open position at Zanders, he knew that this would be a great opportunity.
“The people at Zanders have been extremely helpful in making me feel right at home, and I couldn’t be more impressed with the leadership team within the organization,” Krieg said. “As sales manager, I look forward to working alongside the sales reps and assisting them in any way possible to ensure the continued success of Zanders.”
“We couldn’t be happier hiring Jeff as our new sales manager,” said Zanders President and COO Danny Siegler. “He has the passion and drive to be successful, and with his prior knowledge we are confident he will do a great job.”
For more information about Zanders and its many dealer programs, call (800) 851-4373 or visit www.gzanders.com.
Mike Meiran Joins Pnuma and Heated Core Team as New Director of Sales
Pnuma Outdoors and Heated Core recently announced the latest addition to its leadership team, Mike Meiran. A seasoned professional in the outdoor industry, Meiran will take on the role of director of sales and will leverage his extensive experience in sales, marketing and merchandise planning.
Most recently, Meiran showcased his expertise at Kinsey’s Archery Products in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania. While there, he held significant roles including buyer/category manager, and sales and marketing manager for Kinsey’s private label brands and OEM division. Prior to his tenure at Kinsey’s, Meiran sharpened his skills at outdoor apparel manufacturers Gillz LLC and Marolina Outdoor, home to brands such as Huk and Nomad. During this period, Mike took on multifaceted roles encompassing sales/operations manager, merchandise planner, and wholesale customer service.
On joining Pnuma and Heated Core, Meiran expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Being welcomed into the Pnuma and Heated Core family has been an incredible experience. This organization is filled with immense talent in all capacities, and I am beyond excited to join a team with such a wealth of knowledge in the outdoor space. I look forward to using my experience to shape the future of our brands with the support of some of the most driven and passionate individuals I have met in the outdoor industry.”
"Mike brings a unique perspective that will provide a new era of growth and innovation for both Pnuma and Heated Core,” said Phil Dalrymple, GM of Pnuma Outdoors and Heated Core. “He's a great addition to our team, and we're excited for what's to come.”
Leupold Names Lucas Burt as Director of Marketing
Leupold & Stevens recently announced that Lucas Burt has been named the company’s director of marketing. Burt has been with Leupold since 2017. Since that time, he has served as the company’s brand creative director.
“Lucas has been an important part of our marketing team since he joined the Leupold family,” said Tim Lesser, vice president of product development and marketing for Leupold & Stevens. “His passion and relentless drive benefit the entire team and make him an ideal leader as we continue to grow and evolve our brand marketing efforts.”
Prior to joining Leupold in 2017, Burt worked as a content director and communications manager at Nike. He now leads Leupold’s consumer and brand marketing team, which develops and executes brand campaigns across multiple platforms, including digital, retail and print.
“Leupold is my home, and I have immense respect for the brand and what it stands for,” Burt said. “I am excited to expand my role within our incredibly talented marketing team as we continue to build upon the brand’s legacy and energy.”
