After an impressive 10 years’ of growth, that has created the world’s fastest-growing golf ball brand, the owners of Vice, Ingo Duellmann and Rainer Stoeckl, have announced that the brand will launch offline in the US. The company will be making their brand available for sale mainly through PGA Pro Shops only in recognition of the key role that green grass retailers play in the US market.
This announcement comes on the back of the recent investment in VICE made by Oakley Capital, the pan-European private equity investors. “Our brand is already the leading digitally native golf brand, and we are going from strength to strength,” comments Ingo. “With the support of Oakley Capital, we are confident that we can further accelerate our ambitious growth strategy for Vice Golf, which includes opening up the retail market in the US.”
As part of this growth strategy, the company has recruited Alexander Wicklein to lead an independent sales rep team to target Pro Shop business. “The brand now sells to over 7,000 accounts globally, so the US market was the obvious next step. We have set up a team of top multi-brand reps who will ensure that Vice achieves its ambitious distribution target in the months ahead.”
Vice will not only offer their premium golf ball line to PGA Pro Shops but also some of their successful accessories such as e.g. gloves or caps. Alexander Wicklein, global sales manager explains, “We want to partner with the right people. They need to understand our products and be able to best represent us when faced with a golfer who does not know what ball best suits his or her game. That person is clearly a PGA Professional, which is why they are such an important part of our growth strategy.”
Vice is still recruiting for the US Vice sales team and would be interested in hearing from experienced reps for some open territories. Email wicklein@vicegolf.com.
Embrace your VICE!
