Nau Brand Acquired by Black Yak

Black Yak Co. Ltd today announced the acquisition of Portland, Ore.-based sustainable urban and outdoor brand, Nau, which now will function as a wholly owned, independent subsidiary of the 40-year-old Korean outdoor company. Black Yak purchased Nau from Santa Barbara-based apparel firm, Horny Toad for an undisclosed figure. Honry Toad purchased Nau in 2008 after the brand announced it was going to have to close up shop due to an inability to secure addition funding.

Effective immediately, Nau will add two Black Yak executives to its Portland leadership team. Mr. Jun Suk Kang will serve as the brand’s new president and Mr. DH Lee will serve as vice president and secretary. Both will join Nau co-founder and GM Mark Galbraith in forming the brand’s global growth strategy.

Nau co-founder and GM Mark Galbraith

Based in Seoul, Korea in 1973, Black Yak serves the outdoor industry as a wholesaler, licensee and retailer with more than 300 stores. The Black Yak organization owns and operates the Black Yak label, an mountaineering brand recognized in the Korean and Chinese marketplace, the Mountia brand, and Nau. Additionally, the company licenses British Original brand, Karrimor, and the U.S-based Marmot for the Korean market.

“The partnering of Nau and Black Yak will bring enormous synergy for both brands and we are confident that Nau will capitalize on the growth opportunities within the U.S. and globally,” stated Kang. “With their sense of purpose and design philosophy, Nau has built a truly distinct market opportunity.”

The Nau brand first came to the attention of Kang during a retail visit in Chicago more than five years ago. At the time he reportedly made a promise to himself that one day he would be part of the brand. Some five years later, his family’s business took ownership of Nau.

Kang and his team have set forth immediate priorities for the brand in an effort to further strengthen the brand’s infrastructure in the U.S. The aim is to “further the brand’s investment in innovation and product development, support internal infrastructure with some additional key appointments, invest in digital and consumer-facing communications, and optimize operations in an effort to better serve the retail and consumer communities,” says the company.