BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Race Face, the Canadian MTB brand that went into receivership on March 12th 2011, has reopened for business.
After what’s been described as a keenly fought bidding war, former Race Face VP of sales Chris Tutton and North Shore local has taken over the helm of the brand.
Chris Tutton will remain as a contractor to Easton Bell Sports, hiring an additional OEM sales person to report to him while he rebuilds Race Face as its new managing director.
Race Face will remain based in Vancouver, close to the North Shore – the comapny’s original testing ground. Key employees will be rehired under the new business structure and production is expected to restart within weeks. Warranty will be honoured on all Race Face products, while the 2012 product line is almost complete, including the new Atals FR Stealth line. Turbine 9 and 10 speed rings will ship almost imminently.
Tutton has spent 14 years with Race Face – first as customer service rep in 1994, then director of sales from 1998 and to VP of sales from 2002. He left in 2008 to become director of OEM sales for Easton Bell Sports.
Race Face’s former global operations manager Derek Wills has also returned as junior partner.
“I have always believed in the Race Face brand and in the quality of the products we make,” enthused Tutton. “We will build upon a very solid foundation and continue to meet the needs of our current customers, while expanding our market and focusing our product line.
“The opportunity to continue to work with a company like Easton Bell Sports has been incredible. I am very fortunate, not only to have their continued support, but also to have found a venture that aligns so well with their business philosophy for excellence and innovation.”
Easton Bell Sports’s Bernie Doering, SVP-global sales of Action Sports, added: “Easton Bell Sports has had a great partnership with Chris over the last three years and we are pleased to continue that relationship. We believe in the synergy that can be created with the two companies.
Silverfish MD Darren Mabbott said: “This is fantastic news. I was always confident that a buyer would be found for Race Face, but to hear that Chris Tutton has bought Race Face is a huge boost to the brand. I have known Chris and worked with him for over 12 years. He is passionate about Race Face, focuses on quality and innovation, and brings a high level of professionalism to the table. Race Face will thrive under Chris control, and the future once again looks bright.”
