Brad Ferguson Named CEO of Pure Archery Group

Pure Archery Group recently announced the appointment of Brad Ferguson as chief executive officer. Having nearly 30 years of experience, Ferguson has held various leadership positions in public and private companies across multiple industries. For the last 8 years, Ferguson served as the chief financial officer for Pure Archery Group and played a key role on the Pure Archery leadership team.

“Brad is a proven leader and someone we all feel has the vision and experience to grow Pure Archery Group,” said Jason C. Rebrook, CEO of JDH Capital. “We are excited about the opportunities and the energy Brad brings as we continue to produce the premium archery products that our customers expect and deserve.”

In July 2022, JDH Capital purchased Pure Archery Group. JDH Capital focuses investments on long-term growth opportunities across multiple industries.

“I am humbled by the trust that has been put in me,”  Ferguson said. “For the last 8 years, I have been honored to work alongside some of the most dedicated employees in the business who truly care about making sure we are providing the highest quality products for our loyal and discerning customers. Together, we are going to earn the business of the sportsmen who rely on our commitment to excellence and innovation.”

Pure Archery Group, known as Bowtech until 2020, owns and operates several well-known archery brands including Bowtech, Diamond, Excalibur, Black Gold, TightSpot, RipCord and Octane.

Fore Runner Brand Feeds Acquires Monster Meal

Fore Runner Brand Feeds recently announced that they have acquired ownership of the Monster Meal brand of wildlife feed and attractants. Fore Runner is a Council Bluffs, Iowa, based company organized around decades experience in the hunting, real property, and real property management sectors.

Monster Meal Wildlife Feed and Attractants have a decade-long reputation for providing top-notch wildlife feed, attractant and mineral supplements designed and tested exclusively for free range wildlife.

Fore Runner Feeds is retaining the manufacturing and distribution capability of the former owners under a long term manufacturing and distribution agreement. This agreement also allows Monster Meal access to the parent cooperative’s 70-plus years of experience in premium animal feed formulation.

“The goal of Monster Meal from its inception was to develop a premium line of animal nutrition products for the recreational land manager,” said former brand manager, now general manager of Monster Meal, Blake Davis. “The change in ownership will allow the Monster Meal to focus on quality products, delivery, and service on a national level. Having worked with the former owners, I can work with the strengths of both parties to create a seamless experience for the customer. This really is a ‘perfect storm’ scenario to blend the strength of Fore Runner’s focus on developing nationally recognized brands without the restrictions that are present in a regional cooperative structure. The former owner has a proven capacity to manufacture and distribute. Fore Runner will bring elements to the brand that will only enhance the business and the products.”

Under Armour Appoints New Corporate President and CEO

Under Armour has hired current Marriott International President Stephanie Linnartz as president and CEO and as a member of UA’s Board of Directors, effective Feb. 27, 2023. 

Under Armour said Linnartz’s appointment follows a thorough search led by a committee of independent members of Under Armour’s Board of Directors.

Linnartz is the current president of Marriott International, Inc., with a portfolio of nearly 8,200 properties across 138 countries and territories and 30 brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Marriott Hotels, W Hotels, and Westin, as well as the industry’s extensive customer-loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy, which has 173 million members.

“As a 25-year veteran of one of the world’s most respected global companies, we are thrilled to welcome Stephanie to the brand,” said Kevin Plank, Under Armour executive chair and brand chief. “She is a proven growth leader with a distinguished track record of brand strategy, omnichannel execution, talent acquisition and development, and passion for driving best-in-class consumer connectivity, experience, and brand loyalty.”

Upon Linnartz joining the company, Colin Browne, who has worked as UA’s interim president and CEO since June 2022, will continue in a leadership role by resuming his position as chief operating officer.

Plank said, “Colin is a world-class industry professional and has done a terrific job leading throughout the transition. Highlights include refining our long-term strategy by tripling our total addressable market, validating the renewed growth fundamentals necessary to establish sector leadership, and championing our UA team culture. The board and the entire organization are grateful for his continued leadership and are fortunate to have such an important partner for Stephanie.”

Linnartz is a member of The Home Depot’s Board of Directors. She was named to the Forbes CEO Next 2021 list. She is also a member of the Fortune CEO Initiative.

 

Excalibur Crossbow Celebrates 40 Years

Excalibur's mission born 40 years ago in 1983 was “to create the ultimate hunting machine — to eliminate the complications of cams and cables, and prove to the world a recurve crossbow is superior.”

“40 years is a major milestone in this industry,” said Dave Parker, vice president of product marketing. “You see companies coming and going. At Excalibur, we are proud to still be at the forefront of the crossbow industry and proudly making our crossbows in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, where it all started. We appreciate each and every one of our avid and loyal customers that have joined us in this journey. We looks forward to the next 40 years and providing the best crossbows for generations to come.”

To celebrate this occasion, Excalibur Crossbow is debuting a limited-edition crossbow as tribute, the 40th-anniversary edition Excalibur Wolverine. Lightweight, compact, and engineered to thrive in the widest possible range of hunting applications, it proudly carries the torch of the recurve revolution that began in 1983.

 

SHOT Show Attendance Back to Pre-Covid Levels

The 45th Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show), which is owned and operated by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), was held recently with more events and exhibit space than ever before. Strong attendance, enthusiastic buyers and sellers, and a series of packed special events that collectively made up “SHOT Week” resulted in one of the top-rated SHOT Shows to date.

The show spanned January 17-20 at The Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boasting pre-pandemic level attendance with more than 52,000 industry professionals packing the 13.9 miles of aisles over 4 days eager to view new, innovative products used for target shooting, hunting, outdoor recreation and law enforcement.

“The industry was back in full force at this year’s SHOT Show, and the energy and momentum among all attendees was palpable,” said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president and chief customer officer. “I always say the SHOT Show is like Christmas morning and the Super Bowl all in one, and this year it was that and more. We are thrilled at the positive response from our attendees and optimistic for a strong year of industry sales to come.”

This was the largest SHOT Show ever, marking the second year of expanded exhibit space at Caesars Forum, in addition to The Venetian Expo. More than 2,500 companies displayed products and services in booths covering more than 816,000 net square feet and attracting attendees from 115 countries and all 50 states.

“This year is one of the best shows I’ve ever been a part of,” said Joe Bartozzi, NSSF president and CEO. “On behalf of NSSF, I’d like to thank all the attendees, exhibitors, media members and our guests this week for helping the industry to succeed and supporting NSSF’s mission.”

Preparations have already begun for next year’s 46th SHOT Show in Las Vegas, which is slated for Jan. 23-26, 2024.