http://www.klim.com/en-us/news/snow/polaris-acquires-klim-technical-riding-gear/5257847374719591232 Not sure how I feel about it, I love Klim and I love how they're still small and not big box garbage. Hoping this doesn't change that. Discuss.
I guess there will be Klim pirate outfits and assless chaps out next year. Too bad, they had a good thing going.
POLARIS ACQUIRES KLIM TECHNICAL RIDING GEAR http://www.klim.com/en-us/news/snow/polaris-acquires-klim-technical-riding-gear/5257847374719591232
Dunno if I like that or fear that... On one hand, Polaris is a much bigger fish, and can pump even more money into R+D but now my motorcycle suit future is tied to someone concentrating even harder on snowmobiles....hummm On another hand, Klim was having huge issues with getting suits turned out fast enough, retailers were shrugging their shoulders at people that wanted Grey Badlands suits.... Out of hands, guess I have to hope for the best.
Yep. Half empty or half full? More resources, better production, same management, win win win. Good PEOPLE at Klim. I'm very excited and optimistic about their future.
The move makes sense given Polaris' Snowmobile bidness . . . . . Perhaps it telegraphs a move from a strictly cruiser motorcycle business to something broader . . . . that'd be aces . . . more choices is better.
According to the press release "Calendar year 2012 sales for KLIM are anticipated to approach $30 million..." So, guess they only sold 30 pairs of pants this year? Or was it 15 jackets and 15 pants?
I lost a ton of respect for Klim sled gear when it went all offshore made. It was previously US made, and was better quality, IMHO. Each year, sled makers struggle with offering HIGH QUALITY gear, Gore-Tex, etc. that customers demand, then each year they have tons of unsold high end branded gear. Paul Harris sleds have been trying to regain lost market segment since BRP stole their lunch 10 years ago. Buying success may or may not work out for them.
Bummer. Corporate mentality says they will have to find a way to pay for this acquisition and that ususally means cheapening the product down the road. Can't blame them for taking the big bucks as that is what it's all about. Good for Justin.
Here's hoping the product stays good and the offerings increase. The good news for me is that I just got my Badlands suit this year and, at 65yo, it will most certainly last a lifetime.
Well I'm glad I have a closet full of their stuff and we should be ok for a year or two then the mass market dumbing down will begin. I watched several small high end high quality out door clothing brands go down the toilet after being bought out. It will become the "Adventure life style" look and feeling and inspired by adventure riding but will be junk. I hope I'm wrong but I may get a second set of my favorite most used gear just in case.
The big question is how Polaris handles management of the the brand. Do they let exist as a separate entity, or do they try and bring it all under the corporate "roof" and screw it up? If Polaris is smart it made a deal where the current management stays on for 5 years to ensure the brand survives the transition. This is what Columbia did when it bought Mountain Hardwear and it seemed to work. Just my $.02
Got some Traverse pants this year, really thinking about picking up a Badlands jacket while they're not garbage. I don't expect them to go totally down the shitter, but I expect their quality will probably come down to many of the bigger brands.
