Situation

Mountain Safety Research (“MSR”) was a wholly owned subsidiary of Recreational Equipment, Inc. (“REI”), the largest retailer of specialty outdoor goods in North America. MSR designs, manufactures, and markets innovative adventure gear for outdoor enthusiasts including high performance mountaineering and backpacking stoves, water treatment devices, cookware, snowshoes and tents. REI’s strategic decision to focus its efforts on its retail business made it necessary to sell MSR to a party which could continue to be a quality supplier.

ZS Role

Zachary Scott was engaged by REI to provide advice regarding the strategic value of the business, identify logical and financially qualified buyers, and to negotiate the sale of the business.

Results

A sale of MSR was consummated to another important REI vendor, Cascade Design, Inc., the outdoor goods manufacturer best known for Therm-a RestTM backpacking mattresses.