This Week in The B.O.S.S. Report

o Canoecopia continues a spring tradition in 2007.
o Dick's SG posts first billion dollar quarter; beats
guidance.
o Polartec, LLC acquires Malden Mills' assets.
o Quiksilver shareholder group gets restless.
o SIA.08 dates overlap with ISPO.
o Zumiez fourth quarter net jumps on 12% comps gain.
o Pacific Cycle transformed into recreation brand.
o Eddie Bauer posts Q4 profit.
o American Recreation sees healthy Q4.
o B.O.S.S. goes one-on-one with Merrell Apparel
creative director Tobin Teichgraeber.

On Friday, March 2nd, a late winter storm dumped more than a foot of snow across much of the Midwest. Seven days later, on the first day of Rutabaga’s 26th annual Canoecopia show in Madison, WI, the temperatures reached 50 degrees. Even Mother Nature cooperates with paddlers.
Launched in 1981 and now called, “the world’s paddlesports expo,” the three-day event featured almost 200 boat companies, accessory brands, outfitters, tourism promoters and non-profit organizations. Teko, Sierra Club National Outings, Sierra Club River Touring and Sierra Magazine sponsored the 2007 event. By 9:15 am on Saturday, the convention center’s main parking lot was filled and parking attendees were directing a steady stream of cars to two overflow lots.
For the first time, attendees were introduced to carbon offsets. Entering the main show door, a large poster from Teko invited them to learn how to be carbon neutral traveler. Bush reports, “I received good feedback from vendors, but there is little consumer understanding about the concept.”

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During an exclusive interview with The BOSS Report Spillane said that the biggest change will be shifting his mindset from running a troubled company to running a healthy company. “We completed 25 loan amendments in 27 months. That really tends to keep you distracted from running an effective business,” he said. “Now, we can move ahead with a strong balance sheet and focus on building the brand, research and development, and expanding our global platform.”

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The letter also stated, “As skiers, we faced deep deception with the negative performance of the Rossignol management team created by Mr Mariette. Total lack of charisma, local political corruption in Moirans, non performance of the winter call-center, total retirement from prestige, brand promotion, racing effectiveness, quality advertising, product design, poor relationships with the European retailers, (and) weakness in new markets opening…”

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