Seattle, Wash. - Complementing its industry-leading roster
of 14 outdoor recreational equipment brands, K2 Sports this month
closed the acquisition of Backcountry Access (BCA), a pioneering designer,
manufacturer and champion of backcountry snow-safety equipment and education.
The move reinforces K2 Sports' position as a global leader in year-round
outdoor recreation. With the acquisition of BCA, K2 Sports will be able to
reach a wider spectrum of wintersports enthusiasts; from in-area and
out-of-bounds, to mechanized and human-powered recreation.
"BCA fits perfectly within the K2 Sports family of brands and rounds out our
portfolio as we continue to grow our leadership in winter sports," said Anthony
De Rocco, President and CEO of K2 Sports. "BCA is a leader in research,
engineering and snow-safety education and has pioneered landmark backcountry
safety equipment such as the Tracker avalanche transceiver and Float airbags,
among other important innovations."
Pairing BCA's authenticity and snow-safety innovation with K2's
investment and global infrastructure will bolster BCA's research and
development efforts and create a much wider impact with its commitment to
backcountry safety and education.
De Rocco said synergies of the acquisition include global distribution,
research and development, supply chain, sourcing efficiencies and manufacturing
strengths.
"Like K2 Sports, BCA carries a pure commitment to upholding and furthering the
skiing and riding culture and ultimately, serving the specialty retailer. It's
not just about selling products, it's about furthering the passion and core
philosophy we all share to enjoy snowsports whether you're in bounds or out of
bounds," De Rocco said.
BCA was founded by Bruce McGowan and Bruce Edgerly in 1994, with a mission to
help safeguard the lives of people enjoying the backcountry through product
innovation, scientific research and educational efforts. Along with the Tracker
beacon and Float airbags, its products include avalanche shovels, probes, snow
study tools, backcountry packs and climbing skins, among other gear. BCA's headquarters
is located in Boulder, CO. The company employs about 45 people.
McGowan said K2 Sports is committed to keeping BCA operationally intact and
that the acquisition will not change BCA's core market focus.
"There's not much of a boundary now between lift access and backcountry. There
are so many people chasing powder now who don't understand the risks of skiing
or riding in the backcountry," McGowan said. "K2 Sports gives us a platform to
innovate further on a product level while concurrently casting a wider net with
our scientific research and snow-safety education efforts.
"We'll be able to reach and engage more people with a hybrid effort of product
innovation and snow-safety education," he said.
K2 Sports celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2012. The company's snowsports
brands include: K2 Ski, Line Skis,Full Tilt Boots, K2 Snowboards, Ride Snowboards, 5150, Morrow, Madshus, Tubbs Snowshoes, Atlas Snowshoes, Powderidge
Snowshoes and Little Bear Snowshoes.