Simms Bought for $192 Million

Big Tuna said:
It's a bummer for someone who relies on a custom shop like I do. Simms is the only place I can find waders that fit my feet and inseam.
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Not sure if they make breathable waders, but have you ever checked out USIA in Oregon for custom work?
Edit….looks like are no longer in business.
SF
 
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Matt B said:
I bet OS Systems in Oregon can get you in waders that will fit.

ossystems.com

ossystems.com ossystems.com
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I think OS systems and USIA were the same thing at one time. OS systems website is the only one working. They used to make waders out of the drysuit material, nothing breathable. Really good quality though.
DRYFT doesn't mention anywhere that I saw where the products they sell are made. They are priced like an American made product, but if they are making them overseas they will not see a dime of my money. Washington company does not necessarily mean they are not just having them made elsewhere and handling the marketing here.
 
nwbobber said:
I think OS systems and USIA were the same thing at one time. OS systems website is the only one working. They used to make waders out of the drysuit material, nothing breathable. Really good quality though.
DRYFT doesn't mention anywhere that I saw where the products they sell are made. They are priced like an American made product, but if they are making them overseas they will not see a dime of my money. Washington company does not necessarily mean they are not just having them made elsewhere and handling the marketing here.
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I have a bottom-of-their line breathable drysuit from OS and it is a quality product. They make waders out of breathable materials and you can customize all sorts of features for extra $$.
 
Simms summer shirts now 50%.
 
Hem said:
@swimmy care to chime in.
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I can't imagine they will move wader production out of Bozeman. So as far as quality, I doubt you'll see much change. If they do start cutting corners in order to maximize profit word will spread fast and we'll all know about it. They will lose support and the company will take a major blow.

With that said, there was always more to the brand than just good gear. Simms was a part of our community. We took pride in a local company making the best waders in the industry right here in Bozeman, MT. That image is now gone.

I think it is the same feeling we all had when that company bought WFF. Some faceless corporation takes ownership and overnight sucks the soul right out of it.

Sure, KC did basically the same thing that Vista is doing but at least he lived here.

I also agree with others, the timing could not be better for Skwala. But that name is dumb and branding/marketing is such an important part of the business.

One last thing, not sure if it was mentioned but Simms purchased Rivers Edge right before this acquisition. Use whatever shop suits your needs but I will try and support local business. Fins and Feathers, Troutfitters, and Bozeman Fly Supply are who I prefer.
 
Evan B said:
Considering I've never even heard of them, @swimmy 's comment about the marketing is spot on.
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I admit I haven't heard of them before this thread either. Or if I did, whatever I saw wasn't memorable (which reinforces @swimmy's comment about their branding/marketing). Dryft does a better job of getting their name out there, at least in the PNW.
 
nwbobber said:
DRYFT doesn't mention anywhere that I saw where the products they sell are made. They are priced like an American made product, but if they are making them overseas they will not see a dime of my money. Washington company does not necessarily mean they are not just having them made elsewhere and handling the marketing here.
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From Dryft's FAQ site:
Where do you manufacture?

A: Our manufacturing facility for our waders and jackets is in China. The materials that go into our waders are sourced from around the world.
 
I have a couple taco wader bags and a couple pairs of socks…that’s all I have considered a good value from Simms. Everything else is “yuppie”…
Besides, unless you are Swimmy…looking good streamside is over-rated…and the fish don’t care what you look like.
They will never date ya, but a short hookup may be possible. 😉
 
Given the connection of the new parent company to other outdoor activities (ie hunting) I could see the PE firm using the resources at Simms that produce high end gear and they enter the hunting market, either under Simms or Remington, to compete with the likes of Sitka or Kuiu.
 
Divad said:
As long as I’m not frowned on for being a straight male fly fisherman, and no marketing is thrown at the recent stupid sub cultures. 🤞please God I know you’re up there
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Recent stupid subcultures like nymphing?
 
dflett68 said:
1. quality has nothing to do with location
2. they will move offshore, sooner or later
3. "community" is feelings, and there's more than one path to feelings. they will find another path - and as long as it is the feelings of 1.000 people versus 100 people, they will be happy regardless of where those people live.
4. familiarity matters more than dumb/smart. once "skwala" becomes familiar, it won't matter that nobody knows what it means or whether it is artful.
5. in the landscape under discussion, "local" means nothing. take your dollars wherever you wish, it won't change anything in the face of an 8b human population.
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What you posted, in many cases, applies to whether Simms was bought out or remained a small, local business. Business decisions they probably addressed on a continuing basis.

More likely it may be an acceleration of changes unfortunately.

That said I do appreciate your many posts and agree with a lot of them. Your post on EBITDA probably went right over most people's understanding and was right on based on available information.
 
dflett68 said:
1. quality has nothing to do with location
2. they will move offshore, sooner or later
3. "community" is feelings, and there's more than one path to feelings. they will find another path - and as long as it is the feelings of 1.000 people versus 100 people, they will be happy regardless of where those people live.
4. familiarity matters more than dumb/smart. once "skwala" becomes familiar, it won't matter that nobody knows what it means or whether it is artful.
5. in the landscape under discussion, "local" means nothing. take your dollars wherever you wish, it won't change anything in the face of an 8b human population.
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Good points.

1. Not sure I 100% agree. Quality can now refer to more than just a product. Environmental footprint, labor practices, etc. But my point was more if they keep wader production in Bozeman and start cutting corners, word will spread. This is still a relatively small community.
2. If they move wader production offshore, that takes away the point I just made. And if this happened, Patagonia should put their money where their mouth is and bring wader production to the US. I'd happily support them even with all of the nauseating virtue signaling that comes with their brand.
3. Marketing is 'feelings' and based on emotion. Does Nike make a better shoe than Addidas? Probably not but their marketing/branding is far superior. I agree though that Vista might have a different agenda than KC. Guess we'll see how that plays out.
4. I just think the name Skwala is cheezy. That's just my opinion. The gear looks fine
5. I don't really follow you here
 
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