New Balance/Warrior to acquire Brine (confirmed)

[mholtz]

I've heard from MULTIPLE sources that a press release is about to be released by Warrior stating that they have purchased Brine. Anyone else heard anything like this?

[yourmom]

wasn't warrior aquired by New Balance not that long ago?

[mholtz]

yes, which would possibly explain some extra cash to acquire their largest competitor.

[mholtz]

Ok, the only mention I can find on the web is from Champion Lacrosse, which is a company that runs camps and clinics in Michigan, and has had ties with warrior (another Michigan based company).

http://www.championlacrosse.com/

I'm not saying this is a difinitive source, but it's pretty gutsy of these guys to announce something that isn't actually announced. I didn't find anything on the Warrior, New Balance, or Brine sites, so as of now, it is just another rumor I guess.

[Zeuslax]

This would explain some apprehensive delivery and salesmen.

[Gvlax]

here you go boys. it happened according to lax.com

http://www.lax.com/stories/1706

[BYULAX31]

Very intresting news.


What does this mean for the Powells?

Same article, confirmed by LaxPower

http://www.laxpower.com/laxnews/news.php?story=4323

Does this mean now Brine has to have extremly lame marketing campaigns

Now, dont know if this relates at all, but i am surprised that I have yet to see the Warrior "Grillz" or mouthpieces that look like gold fronts.

[Sonny]

Confirmed fellas:
http://www.uslia.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=765

Here is the press release:

August 8, 2006 - New Balance announced today it had acquired Brine, Inc., a recognized industry leader in soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and volleyball, based in Milford, MA.

"Brine's history of manufacturing high-performance team sports products will enable us to broaden our offerings at the global level," says Jim Davis, Chairman and CEO for New Balance. "Brine's motto "Find Your Game," speaks directly to their long-standing support of game improvement products and programs, and fits in well with New Balance's philosophy of promoting personal athletic achievements."

Brine, Inc. is the successor to the original W.H. Brine Company founded in 1922.

New Balance, headquartered in Boston, MA, is a leading manufacturer of technologically innovative width-sized performance footwear and athletic apparel for women, men, and children. The range of product categories includes running, walking, training, basketball, tennis, cleated and kids. New Balance employs more than 2,800 people around the globe, and in 2005 reported worldwide sales of $1.54 billion. For more information please visit http://www.newbalance.com

[mholtz]

As a veteran of 30 different aquisitions (my old company bought 27 companies and sold itself 3 times) I can tell you that this is not necessarily good for either Brine or Warrior people. There will most likely be an integration of the product lines, and some of the work force, and there may be layoffs for one or the other company.

The question is, which lacrosse company gets to be "in charge"?

Only time will tell.

IMO this can only mean less competition which is (again IMO) not good for the market.


p.s. company #3 that bought our company laid off over 50% of the employees including me.

[Ken Lovic]

It does hurt to see this happen but as Matt said time will tell. I hope they let Brine and Warrior operate as is but I seriously doubt that. It will be interesting to see if both names exist or one falls to the other. I also agree on the ads- man they are bad and I hope they stop.

[Zeuslax]

How the landscape of the game continues to change. There was a lot of coaches complaining about Brine this summer. With all the talk about STX this summer too, I'm wondering if a potential deal was in the works also?

If I was to speculate about the projected name absorption, I would bet that Warrior would hold its name, and Brine would be a specialty product line somehow. Especially within the glove category. Brine has always done well in the glove arena. Who knows?

[gobblerlax05]

but some of my friends maybe affected!!! since my fiamily uses under armour

[Rob Graff]

IMHO = I have no doubt that Warrior is in charge, as NB bought Warrior first.


Rob

[mholtz]

IMHO = I have no doubt that Warrior is in charge, as NB bought Warrior first.


Rob

I would say that is likely, but not a gurantee. One of the aquisitions that I was a part of went the other way. A phone company bought an ISP, then bought us (another ISP) but we were put in charge.


The other thing to think about is brand recognition. I'd be willing to say that most people on this forum have heard of both, but if you take this question to a soccer forum, that changes. It didn't say that they just bought the lacrosse part of the company, so there are the other sports to keep in mind.

You never know who is gonna take over. It's all pretty much in NB's hands now.

[gobblerlax05]

its alleready all ove ril/espn forum and in laxpower so yeah its big guys!