K•Swiss Global Brands (KSGB announced its acquisition of ONE-Distribution, a skate-inspired apparel and footwear manufacturer and parent company of KR3W Denim Co. (KR3W) and SUPRA Footwear (SUPRA). KSGB acquired the Fountain Valley, Calif.-based firm from a group of shareholders including Bertram Capital, a San Mateo, Calif.-based private equity firm, and a small group of private investors including ONE-Distribution Founders Scott VanDerripe, Angel Cabada and Scott Bailey. The price was not disclosed.
The acquisition brings the KSGB portfolio to a total of six globally distributed brands, including K•Swiss, Palladium, PLDM, OTZ Shoes, KR3W and SUPRA Footwear. KSGB is a division of E-Land Group, a $10 billion group of companies with more than 200 brands, 10,000 retail stores and business across apparel, footwear, retail, hotels, leisure and entertainment. The KSGB and ONE-Distribution leadership teams will work during the following weeks to develop integrated plans for the company and its newest entities, say company sources.
Concurrently, KSGB has announced the appointment of Robert ‘Cape’ Capener as the Brand President of both Supra and KR3W, reporting to Larry Remington, President and CEO of KSGB. Capener’s career within the athletic apparel, footwear and action sports industries includes both launching new products and building brands. He founded the Above the Rim and Heaton brands, and has held senior positions at Adidas, Reebok and No Fear.
“Having formed KSGB just two years ago, we are on an aggressive track to become one of the world’s leading multi-brand companies,” said KSGB President and CEO, Larry Remington. “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.”
