New Spyder Active Sports owner plans for global expansion of brand

A New York City-based portfolio firm of consumer brands has acquired Spyder Active Sports for an undisclosed amount, saying it plans to expand the brand’s reach around the globe.

Authentic Brands Group LLC purchased the Boulder, Colo.-based outdoor wintersports brand from private equity firm Apax Partners, which had owned Spyder since 2004, and reportedly first put it up for sale last summer.

For Authentic Brands Group, Spyder represents its first foray into outdoor and wintersports. Its portfolio mostly includes premium lifestyle and fashion apparel marks.

“Spyder is widely known and highly respected throughout the outdoor community as one of the most technical and fashionable brands in the winter sports market,” Authentic Brands Group CEO Jamie Salter said in a statement. “We look forward to maintain and grow Spyder’s presence both on and off the mountain.”

In connection with the acquisition, Authentic Brands Group said it had partnered with LF USA “as the exclusive licensee partner in North, South and Central America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa for all current in-market and footwear products bearing the Spyder brand. In addition, LF Asia will act as lead agent to identify best-in-class partnerships for the brand in the Asia Pacific market.”

“This will elevate and streamline our current business while opening the door to expand the brand’s reach into new markets,” said Spyder CEO Tom McGann, who will continue to lead the company.

Spyder likely will some get some exposure with the upcoming 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. It’s the official supplier to the U.S. Ski Team and the Canadian Alpine Ski Team.

The Spyder deal adds to a growing list of acquisition deals in the outdoor industry in 2012 and 2013. Analysts had predicted those deals largely to stem from the wintersports and outdoor-military connected categories — two areas of recent struggle with poor winter weather and military budget cutbacks.

–David Clucas