FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dear friends, fans, and people of the global Sombrio circle,
We have some very difficult news to share with you, but first a little history.
Our customers and fans, love the innovations and products that Sombrio bring to market each year, and we thank you for this. This brand is the result of the dedicated riders past and present, so hats off to all of you. Back in 2011 and in an effort to grow with market demand, and share our vision with a broader audience, we sought out consultants to help us flourish.
The consultants had a grand vision of making Sombrio into a big company very fast with a network of our own retail stores. It seemed almost too good to be true but they were convinced it would work. In 2012 we raised funds from an investor, added staff to a great team, invested in systems, products, and began to execute on this growth strategy.
Sadly, it went sideways, as the retail expansion plan was way more expensive to execute than we were led to believe, barred with issues, and stores never opened. In an attempt to bridge the void, and re-kindle stability our family and primary investor stepped up. Our team re-aligned on our core channels, and worked tirelessly to good result.
However, even with all the positives achieved this year from our team, and a great season mapped for next – the perils of failed expansion has left the company with a significant gap – and one the investors have just weeks ago bowed out.
With these challenges we’re in an incredibly painful position in that we have to pause or halt business until we find a way forward, or a buyer. Granted, our door is still open, and were operational, our future is quite uncertain.
We want to thank everyone that has supported us and we apologize to anyone that may be disrupted in the process. We do remain optimistic Sombrio will land on its feet. We hope you understand that we did, and are doing everything during these tumultuous times to see Sombrio continue to live and breathe the two wheel culture.
Sombrio’s future will need someone with the resources, expertise and vision to continue bringing Sombrio’s innovative, high performance riding apparel to a huge market looking for an alternative to the status quo. We look forward to finding that white knight, rebuilding our team and making a charge for the peak.
Sincerely Dave Watson, Founder & President
If you’re a dealer, and are concerned with your 2014 pre-season order, or have press related inquires please email us, and keep in the loop at hello@sombriocartel.com
This is clearly a work of conceptual art. Comic sans ftw... or is that wtf.that cartoon is terrible, makes no sense.
Yeah I can't figure out how these companies get away charging $150+ for these shorts. Does anyone buy these things aside from when they are on closeout?As far as Sombrio, not surprising. Nothing in their line was unique, same style as their well established competition, at the same or higher prices.
That's really strange. I always do that when I wear TLD. Though it is to piss off people who think this way. The lift line has never been so fun.Apparently TLD sucks/makes you look like a clown and everybody wearing it just slams Red Bull and talks crap to people with different sized wheels. At least that's what I gather from the cartoon.
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Roach was bought by raceface but I doubt they will buy any company soon.maybe whoever it was who bought raceface can buy sombrio, bring them into the family, like when they absorbed Roach.
I'm sure it's only a few millions to solve this problem. No worries
Were sales really through the roof? Also I don't think '98 makes them new guys on the block....Not hard to believe they got talked into seeing the "big picture". When you're struggling to keep gear in stock, and sales are through the roof because you're the new guy on the block, it's hard to think straight when the big-shot marketing guys start blowing smoke up your butt about retail stores, and worldwide expansion. They keep stringing you along until you're out of money, then move on.
Coming to you live from the land of NASCARI'm of the opinion their gear had nothing to do with their lack of success. I swear a company logo winds up carrying over into every product they design.
TLD's logo (just that damn signature alone) sets apart the most plain piece of clothing there is. Fox's FoxHead logo for the most part too. RaceFace's logo sells if you ask me. Sombrio's logo itself does nothing for me and I don't know why that is.
I like Dakine too, even though I'm on the fence there too. But their logo is middle of the road in terms of being distinctive...and not ironically, it reflects my feelings about their goods.
2 cents.
yeah, the truck was a bit of a surprise; looked like they were substantially more profitable than what i had thought. evidently this wasn't the case. wonder if the consulting group suggested the rig as well...or the fact that they roll around in what is probably a $1/2-3/4+ million RV/pumptrack/mobile store,
Brain isn't working right now, which surfing company tried to do the same thing and pretty much wiped themselves out?Not hard to believe they got talked into seeing the "big picture". When you're struggling to keep gear in stock, and sales are through the roof because you're the new guy on the block, it's hard to think straight when the big-shot marketing guys start blowing smoke up your butt about retail stores, and worldwide expansion. They keep stringing you along until you're out of money, then move on.
That has always seemed like such a BS argument to me. I mean what, more, high quality stiching, slightly better polyester adds like...$4-5 to manufacturing costs? It doesn't justify $150 shorts. Not even close.for everyone talking about price, all shorts are not created equal, they did/do have superior construction...
heck check out kitsbow if you want sticker shock...you get what you pay for.
remember 5 bucks turns into $15 at msrp with all margins factored inThat has always seemed like such a BS argument to me. I mean what, more, high quality stiching, slightly better polyester adds like...$4-5 to manufacturing costs? It doesn't justify $150 shorts. Not even close.
Ha ha yes, exactly! Not $100.remember 5 bucks turns into $15 at msrp with all margins factored in
i came across roadie stuff the other day. $250 for a pair of shoe covers, $200 for a hat....That has always seemed like such a BS argument to me. I mean what, more, high quality stiching, slightly better polyester adds like...$4-5 to manufacturing costs? It doesn't justify $150 shorts. Not even close.
oh, and a pair of $600 bibsi came across roadie stuff the other day. $250 for a pair of shoe covers, $200 for a hat....