Summit Golf Brands—the golf industry’s leading golf-focused apparel group—has announced its acquisition of Zero Restriction Outerwear. Specific terms of the deal were not announced.
Zero Restriction joins Fairway & Greene and EP Pro, who, since January 2006, have been owned by Summit Golf Brands, a division of Northbridge Equity Partners, a private equity firm specializing in buyouts of brand-based consumer products businesses.
"Summit Golf Brands is extremely enthusiastic about our acquisition of Zero Restriction," says Summit Golf Brands CEO Paul Clark. "As the leader of technical golf outerwear within the industry, we believe Zero Restriction to be a perfect fit and a major complement to our other two industry leading brands, Fairway & Greene and EP Pro."
Zero Restriction Outerwear—previously a division of Red Lion Mfg., Inc.—is the leader in technical rainwear and windwear. The company’s product is crafted in excruciating detail, one stitch at a time. The quality and feature-rich outerwear that displays the Zero Restriction label can only be produced through expert hands-on craftsmanship, and could never be simply "stamped out" through an assembly line.
Zero Restriction Outerwear has been the choice for not only discerning golfers of all handicap levels, but also for United States teams competing in the Ryder Cup, President’s Cup, Walker Cup, Curtis Cup, PGA Match Cup, Palmer Cup, Junior World Cup and World Amateur.
Zero Restriction Outerwear provides complete freedom of movement and overall comfort, so the numerous patented technological features work together to guarantee an unrestricted golf swing in any climate or condition. The company’s men’s and ladies’ lines each include waterproof rainwear, technical windproof wear and wind fashion wear. Accessories include all weather hats and gloves. A kids and juniors line will be expanded in 2008. Bags, head covers and golf-cart seat covers will be introduced in the near future.
"Zero Restriction has been the benchmark for the highest quality technical golf outerwear," says Gary Tolton, CEO of Zero Restriction. "With this recent addition, Summit Golf Brands, along with its focus on customer service and sales support, will now be able to offer the same level of commitment from ZR that the golf professional appreciates so much from Fairway & Greene and EP Pro."
The acquisition of Zero Restriction gives Summit Brands the apparel industry’s three leading golf companies in their respective categories—Fairway & Greene, EP Pro and Zero Restriction. Each of the companies are known for offering the industry’s highest-quality product, and, with the addition of Zero Restriction, Summit Golf Brands’ management team is committed to continue to improve Summit’s longstanding tradition of on-time and complete delivery, and the industry’s best embroidery and custom service. Earlier this year, Fairway & Greene and EP Pro were named the Association of Golf Merchandisers’ top apparel vendors for men and women, respectively, for the fifth straight year in the AGM’s annual Member Survey.
Summit Golf Brands was founded in late 2005, and is designed for its brands to play an important role in the lives of all golfers, and enhance and enrich the quality of golfers’ lifestyles, both on and off the course.
Zero Restriction, based in Hallam, Pennsylvania, is a full-line maker of waterproof outerwear for the golf market. Using patented design features that deliver guaranteed waterproof protection and complete freedom of movement, ZR is the leading supplier of outerwear on all three major professional tours. ZR products are sold in the finest golf shops and golf specialty stores in the U.S., Canada and Europe.
Shelton, Connecticut-based Fairway & Greene, founded in 1995, has rapidly grown to become the dominant player in the high-end golf apparel market. Each item is fashioned from the finest pure-finish fabrics, long since abandoned by other makes due to rarity and cost, and each hand tailored with a care and quality that is uniquely Fairway & Greene. With an unparalleled emphasis on product quality and customer service, Fairway & Greene is specifically positioned to help PGA Professionals enhance their golf shop merchandise offerings.
EP Pro, the New York City-based premier women’s golf apparel company founded in 1993, has been leading the green-grass and resort industry for more than 10 years, delivering a product line where function meets styling.
Contact:
Mary Beth Lacy at 760-346-6942 or email mb@mblacy.com
