MANUFACTURING
K-Swiss Acquires Supra & KR3W Denim Co.
K-Swiss Global Brands—the sports-focused footwear, apparel and lifestyle company headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif.—is going street.
On June 1, it announced that it acquired ONE-Distribution for an undisclosed amount. The Fountain Valley, Calif.–headquartered company is the parent of the Supra footwear and KR3W Denim Co. brands, which are popular with the skateboard and streetwear crowds. K-Swiss acquired the brands from Bertram Capital, a private-equity firm headquartered in San Mateo, Calif., and a group of private investors that counted as members the ONE-Distribution founders Scott Van Derripe, Angel Cabada and Scott Bailey.
Larry Remington, K-Swiss president and chief executive officer, said that his company was paving the road to becoming a multi-brand company. Its family of brands includes Palladium, PLDM, OTZ Shoes, KR3W and SUPRA Footwear.
“SUPRA and KR3W are brands that meet the distinctions we are looking for in our portfolio: authenticity, strong brand awareness, a track record of product innovation and opportunities for long-term, global growth. We are excited to join forces with the ONE-Distribution team and to lay a foundation for the future,” Remington said in a statement.
K-Swiss also has announced the appointment of Robert “Cape” Capener as the brand president of both Supra and KR3W. He will report to Remington. Capener’s resume includes launching products and building brands at labels such as Above the Rim, Heaton, Adidas, Reebok and No Fear.
