Absolutely huge news today in the hockey gear world where it was announced that True Temper Sports has acquired VH Footwear. This exciting acquisition will allow True Hockey to enter the skate market and continue to build their brand.
True already makes some of the best composite hockey sticks in the game and they are now being used by more professional players than ever before. They also unveiled their removable palm gloves not long ago. The gloves have a zipper which allows you to swap out palms quickly and easily whether it’s because your old palm is worn, or you’re just looking to try something new. Adding a skate line to the mix would put True Hockey on a whole new level and allow them to compete further with the likes of Bauer and CCM.
For more details on this exciting announcement, check out the full press release below:
Memphis, TN – True Temper Sports, a leading developer and manufacturer of Hockey, Golf and Lacrosse products announced today the acquisition of Winnipeg, Manitoba based hockey skate manufacturer, VH Footwear Inc. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition will add exciting, innovative technology to the company’s advanced R&D portfolio and expand TRUE Hockey’s reach into the important skate category.
“There is a need and an appetite for a new brand in the skate category, probably more so than any other time in the history of the hockey industry,” Jeremy Erspamer, President & CEO of True Temper Sports said. “This is a strategic acquisition for our company and provides an immediate growth platform for our burgeoning TRUE hockey business both at the retail level and within the professional hockey ranks globally. This should also be further evidence to hockey players worldwide, our valued retail partners, and the hockey industry as a whole of our continued commitment to enter new product categories with game changing, performance enhancing technology.”
As part of the Agreement, True Temper Sports will continue to manufacture VH skates in Winnipeg, Canada. All employees of VH will be retained, and there are plans to expand the footprint in Winnipeg – both in terms of facilities and people.
“We are thrilled to be embarking on this new phase with TRUE Hockey,” Scott Van Horne, Founder and CEO of VH Footwear Inc. said. “It was mandatory to us that the manufacturing and people involved with our company remained in Winnipeg and that we teamed up with a company that shared a like-minded approach as it relates to innovation and performance driven product. It was obvious early on in our discussions there was synergy between both groups and an opportunity to create significant product innovation by bringing the talented group of engineers from both companies together.”
Both TRUE and VH currently distribute their hockey product lines globally and are used by elite level players of the game around the world.
“This is a very strong and synergistic business deal. The market penetration at the Pro hockey level in particular including 80+ NHL players currently wearing the VH skate is remarkable, and together we feel we can only enhance and grow the offerings of both entities going forward,” Steve Sutherland, Director and GM for TRUE Hockey said.
In the coming weeks, TRUE hockey will be rolling out its detailed strategic plan to its valued retail partners and consumers for the VH skate line, including a very exciting retail consumer experience with select TRUE hockey retail partners in 2017.
“This is extremely exciting for both TRUE and VH,” Garth Smith, VP Sales & Marketing of VH Footwear Inc. said. “We will certainly continue to strengthen the marketplace relationships currently in place while expanding our presence globally, and are committed to continuing to deliver best in class product to our current and potential new clients.”
