K2's hoping to use Volkl's distribution channels in Europe to push K2 and Marmot products - and to eventually become a sports equipment giant like Nike and Reebok.
http://www.forbes.com/technology/ebu...ap1416431.html
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K2's hoping to use Volkl's distribution channels in Europe to push K2 and Marmot products - and to eventually become a sports equipment giant like Nike and Reebok.
http://www.forbes.com/technology/ebu...ap1416431.html
woah. its hard to believe marker has a 40% market share in the states.
Oh my god!:( :mad:
wh ycan't k2 just make skis in the us again and stop trying to be a worrld power. I think that if they become a giant like reebok or nike their products will suffer, like nike's and reeboks' do.
It's only natural that since K2 sucks, that they would also buy Marker.
I can hear the gapers running up and down the streets cheering for Markers being the only binding option for their K2 fours...
I wish they woild buy Killington. I wish anybody would buy Killington.
My K2 Fours have S900s thank you very much.Quote:
Originally posted by BlurredElevens
It's only natural that since K2 sucks, that they would also buy Marker.
I can hear the gapers running up and down the streets cheering for Markers being the only binding option for their K2 fours...
"woah. its hard to believe marker has a 40% market share in the states."
and they still cant make a binding that doesnt suck!
"K2 intends to maintain Volkl's automated manufacturing facility in Straubing, Germany. "
So K2 is moving Germany to China? Volkls will be shit within 3 years.
Marmot is a company I've been a huge fan of for a long time. Sure it is expensive, but you get what you pay for. It will be interesting to see what happens with this company.
Marker already sucked.
K2's bike frames totally suck.
that's a bummer about volkl. they still craft their skis with wood from their own forests in their own factories nearby the mountains where they practice their craft.
North Face was a cool company before they got sucked into the mass market.Quote:
Originally posted by LCC
Marmot is a company I've been a huge fan of for a long time. Sure it is expensive, but you get what you pay for. It will be interesting to see what happens with this company.
That forest better learn to speak Chinese.
Interesting that there's no referece to technica. Or did I miss them already being sold to someone else?
I hope K2 realizes they have a good thing with Volkl and don't go and fuck it up. I have hope considering the same company that owned marker owned volkl and let them stand on their own besides the whole integrated binding shit.
I agree - to a certain extent. I still like a lot of their products - but I bought a set of gloves that claimed to be Mountaineering/Mountain Sport and they fucking leaked (which was a problem with the hole snow neat hot skin). Perhaps I missed a step - but no wax or anything was included and there was nothing that said I had to treat them before use. That was annoying.Quote:
Originally posted by Benny Profane
North Face was a cool company before they got sucked into the mass market.
The brand-nameless gore-text mittens I bought in stow a couple of years ago still rule. They're lost a bit of their drying ability (I used to be able to go down, get pretty hot, and have toasty dry gloves by the time I got to the top of the chair lift, but the drying it slower now). Oh well.
[/OT moan]
edg
hmmm, so by the time Volkl gets sucked down the tubes by K2, will PM Gear be ready to fill the void for high end bomber skis?
An accurate appraisal, Mr. Sapp.
I am sure PM gear's kick ass ski will be among the many handmade kick ass skis around but why does everyone assume Volkl is the only sturdy & worthy ski?Quote:
Originally posted by DJSapp
hmmm, so by the time Volkl gets sucked down the tubes by K2, will PM Gear be ready to fill the void for high end bomber skis?
Stockli?
Blizzard?
DB?!?
Isnt volkl/marker/tecnica also in cahoots with nordica, elan, and dolomite?
It seems that having such a huge ski conglomerate would infringe on some anti-trust laws.
Technica is part of Volkl sports holding. Yeah, it is rather interesting that it wasn't mentioned in the article, as it's a major part of the Organization. Volkl Holding has owned Marker for quite some time.Quote:
Originally posted by Ski Monkey
Interesting that there's no referece to technica.
From SnowTradeNews:
Tuesday April 02, 2002
SALT LAKE CITY (press release) -- CT Holding AG, the joint venture between Tecnica and Volkl's major sharehold, H.D. Cleven, has purchased an additional 15% of Marker International GmbH.
The purchase brings CT's holdings in Marker to 98%. The transaction involved a cash payment of $2 million, reflecting a $3.5 million market value of the company's 15 percent equity interest less certain reductions totaling approximately $1.47 million previously agreed to by the parties.
edit: Far as I can tell, VSH has only been sharing computer facilities and warehouses with Elan-Dolomite, but it's not a stretch to assume they're also sharing production lines, components, etc... Damn - so my Volks might just be Elans with prettier topsheets?
My dos centavos FWIW: Despite the number of unhappy customers Marker may have with THIS particular group of people - They do produce a quality product that gives the "average" consumer many, many years of quality service. It's obviously not for everyone, but you can't deny their numbers or market appeal. **(Don't take it from me - ask Shane. Someone that I'd classify as beyond "average".)** It's a business, baby - and on the surface, this merge is going to make a monster..One that will probably benefit the entire industry. It's tough to go wrong when you merge 2 companies named K2 and Volkl.
Not really sure on who Tecnica is sitting with but here's some related info, for your Q CantDog.
http://www.tecnica.it
Covered by Jannell Chester
Tecnica has mastered the acquisitions technique. The company began as an Italian manufacturer of work shoes in the early 1960s and today offers a wide variety of sports gear including snow skis, in-line skates, and snowboards, as well as outdoor apparel. Tecnica's brands focus on the winter sports market and include Dolomite (skis and clothing), Lowa (outdoor and ski boots), Think Pink (sportswear), and Marker (ski bindings and outerwear). Its Nordica ski boot brand was sold to Benetton in the late 1980s and was re-purchased in 2002. The company also bought Benetton's in-line skate company Rollerblade in 2003 with Benetton acquiring a 10% stake in Tecnica.
It would be nice if Volkl stays just as it is, their production facility and use of their own forest is a unique process, hopefully it remains that way.
No way. There are plenty of other ski manufacturers out there. Especially after the PM Gear juggernaut gets rolling!Quote:
Originally posted by CantDog
It seems that having such a huge ski conglomerate would infringe on some anti-trust laws.
Forgive me, K2 devotees, but I can only hope that the kraut driven Teutonic drive for quality is not diluted by the avaricious seduction of profit driven greed.
*%#JG##%#%^$(#*(@#&*&#*&#**&*%&^$Quote:
Originally posted by JMO
K2 buys Volkl
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
^ This doesn't begin to cover the screaming I'm doing right now. Volkl makes such sweet and bomber skis, and on the rare occasion they fuck up the latter they take good care of their customers. Just look at last year's Gotamas. They're warrantying them no questions asked, even for shit like topsheet damage. It's rare nowadays to find a company that values it's reputation and thus its customers so highly.
I'm getting really sick of all these fucking corporate mergers. Don't get me wrong, in some cases it works out wonderfully. But then you look at what happened in the music industry with labels, radio stations, and concert venues and you just cringe.
If they screw up Volkl, I'll have to send my vile army of assasins after them... or something. They better not fuck up Volkl :(
Watch for Marker motion/rail/piston systems integrated onto K2 skis. :mad:
Less competition... less innovation... less selection. BOOOOOOO!
OK that would qualify me... topsheet damage... where did you hear they would warranty for that? I want the new construction so they die this next season.Quote:
Originally posted by Arty50
They're warrantying them no questions asked, even for shit like topsheet damage.
I tend to be optimistic on these things but I think K2 realizes what Volkl's got going. Would they buy it if they didn't? I think that it's quite possible that Volkl/Technica will operate as a separate entity. I suppose I could see some restructuring of the product lines, where maybe Volkl drops their low end skis and K2 drops their upper-end skis.
Maybe the Euro mags could help on this one, but I think I remember hearing that K2's are expensive in Europe, and thus using Volkl's distribution channels will help make them more competitive there.
Talk to your rep to confirm. But dudele had a huge chunk rip off of his and I had a long strip come off of mine (my wood sidewall cracked too). This is why they're putting titanal strips along the topsheet edge next year. If it's normal nicks and scratches, I don't think they'll help you out. But if a big chunk came off, I think you're set.
it's already been done dude for atleast a couple years.Quote:
Originally posted by SummitCo 1776
Watch for Marker motion/rail/piston systems integrated onto K2 skis.
Well, K2s were not officially distributed in the UK this year, although some were imported through "grey" channels from the German distributor (meaning I lost the only spancer I ever had :( ) True, it's a small market but having no distributor does not exactly make them easy to buy. K2 are not crazy expensive in continental Yurp but they are not any cheaper than similar skis either.Quote:
Originally posted by shmerham
Maybe the Euro mags could help on this one, but I think I remember hearing that K2's are expensive in Europe, and thus using Volkl's distribution channels will help make them more competitive there.
IMO K2 buying Volkl could be good for skiers, although it may suck for US Volkl reps - why would they be used for distribution when K2 already have their own network set up?
If they continue to produce high-quality products (that Volkl is known for) but cheaper (as K2 is known for) then that's a good thing. I don't give a rat's where my skis are made provided they are good skis - and the cheaper the better. Volkl is a typical German company - they make a high-quality product for consumers that demand top quality goods. Seeing as their biggest market (in fact the majority of their sales, I think) is Germany, logically K2 won't change the quality of Volkl skis.
FWIW The people who work for Volkl are not the die hard skiers some have painted them as in this thread. True, the designers might be but the actual people who make the skis might just as well be mking car parts for all they care. I haven't been to the Volkl factory for a long time but recent pictures show all the floor-workers as greasy, beer-bellyed, mullet- ( :D ) and German footie shirt- wearing fat guys. In this respect they would seem about as into the product they make as K2's employees in China.
the dude who owns Technica owns Nordica too and he's just going to focus all his efforts on those two comanies.
This isn't really a bad thing, K2's not going to go in and fuck up Volkl. Their offices will be moved out west, but I don't think there are going to be huge drastic changes to any of the products.
And hey, since when does K2 make shitty skis? I fucking love all my pairs and haven't heard of too many K2's bending (explosives) or any sidewall blowout fiasco's.
The K2/Anthony Industries string of crushing acquisitions is longQuote:
Originally posted by shmerham
I tend to be optimistic on these things but I think K2 realizes what Volkl's got going. Would they buy it if they didn't?
Dana Designs (still good, but not nearly so innovative)
Garuda Tents (good single wall tents)
And more...
They haven't made their own race skis on the WC for the past 4-5 yrs, this year may be the first.Quote:
Originally posted by tywhy
And hey, since when does K2 make shitty skis? I fucking love all my pairs and haven't heard of too many K2's bending (explosives) or any sidewall blowout fiasco's.
Delam's and lots of junk skis. First round of Axis skis a few years back were chunking out entire sections of topsheet and sidewall, bad press I guess. K2's quality has been lacking for awhile, IMO.
Lots of bent Axis, X's and XP's from what I've seen.
Gotta agree with this. onehotchili's buddy is definitely in jeopardy of getting nixed. My sister works as a buyer in the retail world. She's been downsized twice by department stores she worked for being bought out. I would think the same thing applies to a ski rep.Quote:
Originally posted by Mulletizer
IMO K2 buying Volkl could be good for skiers, although it may suck for US Volkl reps - why would they be used for distribution when K2 already have their own network set up.
Yeah, although the more I think about it the more I think it could go either way. With most mergers (yeah, I know, this is an acquisition but the scale of both parties is pretty big) they normally take the most successful parts/employees of each enterprise and can the less useful people/departments that are replicated. SO if I were a K2 rep I could be a little concerned.Quote:
Originally posted by The AD
Gotta agree with this. onehotchili's buddy is definitely in jeopardy of getting nixed. My sister works as a buyer in the retail world. She's been downsized twice by department stores she worked for being bought out. I would think the same thing applies to a ski rep.
Additional info from skipressnews.com...
http://www.skipressworld.com/us/en/d...ml?cat=Finance
Carlsbad, Calif. (Ski Press)-As the snowsports world begins to digest K2 Inc.’s, early morning bombshell that it would acquire Volkl, Marker and Marmot for about $208 million, K2 Chief Executive Officer Richard Heckmann hosted a conference call to discuss the ramifications of the deal.
Heckmann said the primary synergies involved include: better distribution for Volkl in the U.S. and for K2 in Europe, becoming the dominate market force in the alpine ski-binding “systems” market via Marker, an increased worldwide snowboard presence for Volkl and a myriad of opportunities in apparel.
Below are some highlights from Heckmann’s presentation:
* The combined strength of K2 and Volkl will match the number one selling ski in the U.S. in terms of units with the number one selling ski in terms of dollar volume. Together, K2 and Volkl will account for 720,000 skis worldwide this year.
* In addition, Volkl will help improve K2’s European distribution, where the company has been weak in the past, “Perhaps because we’re an American ski brand,” said Heckmann. “Volkl has very powerful distribution in Europe where we have very weak distribution, and. Along with skis, we haven’t been able to distribute accessories products in Europe way we’d like to.”
* While K2 manufactures 300,000 snowboards a year, Volkl only does 20,000. “We think there’s a huge opportunity with our technology, engineering and manufacturing offshore to make a very strong move on behalf of Volkl in that market,” said Heckmann.
* With Volkl’s partnership, Marker’s binding share rose to 43 percent of the market, according to Heckmann. While providing K2 with a captive ski-binding combination for its ski brand, the company also “obviously has some room around the world with our manufacturing facilities to realize some synergies there.” While Marker bindings are currently manufactured for a relatively low cost in the Czech Republic, they could be made at an even lower cost at one of K2’s factories in Asia.
* With the addition of Marmot, as well as Ex Officio earlier this year, K2 Inc., now has a year-round high-end apparel business of $100 million. While Heckmann mentioned the obvious sourcing, distribution and materials benefits, he also said the company will more than likely start offering Ride, K2, Shakespeare (i.e., K2’s fly-rod brand) branded apparel. “I think it represents enormous growth potential,” said Heckmann. “When you put Marmot and Ex Officio together with our Rawlings brand, you already have a $150 million platform for apparel.”
* Heckmann said there are no plans to move Volkl’s manufacturing facilities from German to Asia, especially in light of the brand’s high-end status. “Certainly as far out as I can see, we would not mess with it,” Heckmann said. “That’s something that’s inherent to their status as a high-end ski brand. I certainly don’t want to be the one to tell the German, Austrian and Italian race communities that it doesn’t matter where their skis are made.”
* Growth at Marker is expected to come from accessories and apparel, and from ski-binding systems. Growth at Volkl and K2 is expected to come from the advanced distribution. “We’re stronger in the U.S., they’re stronger in Europe,” said Heckmann. “I think we’ll get into more ski shops, we’ll be able to package K2 and Volkl products to retailers in price points and combos, and we’ll open up distribution for both companies that we haven’t been able to do before.”
* Heckmann did reiterate that he intends to maintain the present management teams at each of the new companies. “Not only do they all have contracts,” Heckmann said. “But I think they’re really excited about this. If you’re in the wintersports business this morning, this is where you want to be. It’s very easy to have these teams stay on with us.”
* As for whether or not the K2 has “filled its acquisition hunger,” Heckmann said, “As I told our directors last not, ‘Excess is simply not enough.’ There are a lot of great transactions out there that we are looking at on a daily basis. And like the acquisitions we announced today, we will finance them in a way that will build up our balance sheet. As far as wintersports are concerned, however, you probably won’t see us do much more this year. Our guys have got their hands full handling the present integration.”
MMMMMMMMMWWWWWWWWWHHHHHHAAAAAAAHHHHHAAAAAAHHHHHHAA AAAAAA!!!!!!!!!Quote:
Originally posted by powwrangler
wh ycan't k2 just make skis in the us again and stop trying to be a worrld power. I think that if they become a giant like reebok or nike their products will suffer, like nike's and reeboks' do.
The K2 Elite will soon own all of the world!!!!!!
K2, what is best in life? Crush your enemies, see 'dem driven before you, and hear 'da lamentations of 'de women.
Whew, I feel better now. :p
What's up with all this Kay-Two talk? Don't you people mean Kay-Arrr?
Jesusfuckingchrist. What's next? Audis made in Mongolia? I vote "nein."
Two comments...
If you thought Markers sucked before, look out. :DQuote:
* With Volkl’s partnership, Marker’s binding share rose to 43 percent of the market, according to Heckmann. While providing K2 with a captive ski-binding combination for its ski brand, the company also “obviously has some room around the world with our manufacturing facilities to realize some synergies there.” While Marker bindings are currently manufactured for a relatively low cost in the Czech Republic, they could be made at an even lower cost at one of K2’s factories in Asia.
THERE IS A GOD!!!Quote:
* Heckmann said there are no plans to move Volkl’s manufacturing facilities from German to Asia, especially in light of the brand’s high-end status. “Certainly as far out as I can see, we would not mess with it,” Heckmann said. “That’s something that’s inherent to their status as a high-end ski brand. I certainly don’t want to be the one to tell the German, Austrian and Italian race communities that it doesn’t matter where their skis are made.”
I just got an email response from the Volkl rep that I work with; I won't paste it here, but I will give you the Reader's Digest abridged version:
- In the U.S. market, there will be no effect at the warehouse/rep/retail level.
- Technica was not/is not for sale; distribution is the basis for the Volkl/Technica relationship in most markets
- K2 skis does not now own Volkl. K2 Holding does. K2 Holding, being public, must make sound investments, and then show a profit for their stockholders.
- Enhanced worldwide distribution issues are as already mentioned.
- It makes no sense to combine warehousing, customer service, reps, etc. Reason: K2 ships into the US from China, so the best place to warehouse is Seattle. Volkl comes in from Europe, so the NE U.S. is the best place to warehouse. Cust service & reps from both Co's have full plates...combining would negatively affect the retailer. No one wants that.
- When the question - about dumping the German R & D department & putting a volkl sticker on a K2 ski - was asked during the aforementioned conference call; the person asking the question was assured that that will not happen.
- Net result? The 2 strongest brands in this country right now are Volkl and K2. They will now get stronger. Net result for Salomon et al? Not so good.
In my opinion, the net result of this acquisition will be largely invisible at our level of the food-chain.
Thank goodness [/heavy sigh]
There was quite a stir in Europe this past season when a British company bought some ski presses and was making a wood core knock-off of the Launcher in Bulgaria, selling it w/Salomon bindings for like 450 Euros. I'm sure that scared a lot of big companies.