Clearfield, UT -(AmmoLand.com)- Vista Outdoor Inc. (NYSE: VSTO) announced that Brian Murphy, the company’s Vice President of Corporate Development, was named an SGB 40 Under 40 award honoree by SportsOneSource.
Murphy was honored for his work to grow the Vista Outdoor business through the strategic acquisitions of Jimmy Styks, CamelBak and the Action Sports division of BRG Sports, Inc.
“I’m honored to receive this prestigious award,” said Murphy. “I have the great fortune of working for an incredibly supportive company in Vista Outdoor. This award is a testament to all of the hard work of my team and the support of Vista’s executive leadership who have trusted us with executing the company’s strategic priorities. They’ve given me great opportunities to succeed in this dynamic industry.”
In the last year, Vista Outdoor’s corporate development team, led by Murphy, completed three acquisitions totaling approximately $850 million in transaction value, shifting the company’s Outdoor Products segment sales from 35 percent of total sales to approximately 50 percent of total sales, balancing the Shooting Sports and Outdoor Products segments.
In July 2015, Vista Outdoor purchased Jimmy Styks, a leading designer and marketer of stand up paddle (SUP) boards and related accessories. In August 2015, Vista Outdoor completed the acquisition of CamelBak Products, LLC, which brought the leading provider of personal hydration solutions for outdoor, recreation and military use into the company’s portfolio. In April 2016, Vista Outdoor announced it had completed the acquisition of the Action Sports division of BRG Sports, which contained the brands Bell, Giro, Blackburn, Co-Pilot, Raskullz and Krash. The Action Sports brands offer protective gear and related accessories in cycling, snow, action and powersports, with Bell and Giro well known for being product category leaders, best-in-class innovators and industry pioneers.
“Brian has been instrumental in helping Vista Outdoor achieve its strategic goals in our first year as a new company,” said Stephen Nolan, Chief Financial Officer for Vista Outdoor. “Brian is a valued member of the team and a true leader in the industry. We are proud of his accomplishments and join his family and friends in congratulating him on this special occasion.”
In addition to building a robust pipeline of potential M&A targets for Vista Outdoor, Murphy also leads all post-merger integration strategy and execution. Murphy led the Watersports business of Vista Outdoor after the acquisition of Jimmy Styks and was recognized as part of Vista Outdoor when the company was presented with the “Dealmaker of the Year” award by ACG Utah for its acquisition of CamelBak.
The 40 Under 40 award is given each year to 40 sporting goods industry executives and managers under the age of 40 that have shown proven leadership skills within their organizations and the industry. Award recipients are recognized as the future of the sporting goods industry, and as such, will be featured in the June issue of SGB magazine.
The recipients were selected by a panel of SportsOneSource analysts and editors, 40 Under 40 alumni and industry executives from more than 400 nominations received from around the active lifestyle industry.
The awards will be presented at a private event this August during Outdoor Retailers Summer Market in Salt Lake City.
About Vista Outdoor Inc.:
Vista Outdoor is a leading global designer, manufacturer and marketer of consumer products in the growing outdoor sports and recreation markets. The company operates in two segments, Shooting Sports and Outdoor Products, and has a portfolio of well-recognized brands that provides consumers with a wide range of performance-driven, high-quality and innovative products for individual outdoor recreational pursuits. Vista Outdoor products are sold at leading retailers and distributors across North America and worldwide. Vista Outdoor is headquartered in Utah and has manufacturing operations and facilities in 13 U.S. States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico along with international customer service, sales and sourcing operations in Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe and New Zealand.
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