Samsonite restructures its Gregory and High Sierra teams

Samsonite is restructuring its recent outdoor pack acquisitions — Gregory Mountain Products (bought from Black Diamond in 2014) and High Sierra (bought in 2012) — consolidating, shifting and eliminating some positions, officials tell SNEWS.

“After much due diligence, the decision has been made to consolidate some operational functions of the two organizations, said Dawn Sicco, who will help lead the two brands as general manager and vice president. “By bringing the High Sierra and Gregory teams together, we’ll be able to operate more efficiently and provide our valued partners with more success and profitability.”

The biggest changes come at Gregory, where its sales and marketing operations will move to High Sierra’s offices in Vernon, Ill., while its customer service teams will shift to Jacksonville, Fla. Gregory’s product design and development staff will remain in Salt Lake City under the direction of John Sears, who will take the role of vice president of design and development. Sears has been with the brand for a dozen years and will lead a staff of about 10 in Salt Lake City.

John Burns joins the company as vice president of sales for Gregory and High Sierra, while Brian Block, part of High Sierra’s team since 2013, moves up to director of Samsonite’s Outdoor Channel, which includes the two brands. He will be assisted by Eric Helfrich, formerly a key accounts rep for Black Diamond, Gregory and Poc Sports.

The moves result in a reduction of about 10 positions, Sicco said. Gregory Director of Sales and Marketing John Pieper and Key Account Manager Drew D’Acquisto are assisting with the transition before moving on, she added.

Sicco said parent company Samsonite remains in acquisition mode, looking to further grow its outdoor presence.

“We see great growth potential in the outdoor industry, both here in the United States and on a global scale,” she told SNEWS.

–David Clucas