Escalade, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is a
leading manufacturer and distributor of sporting goods products, offering a
full selection of basketball goals, archery equipment, indoor and outdoor game
recreation and fitness products under a collection of industry-leading brands
sold around the world. The company leverages an expansive distribution network
– including sporting goods retailers, specialty dealers, online retailers,
traditional department stores and mass merchants – to sell its products,
helping it maintain a significant presence in the global sporting goods market
for more than 80 years. In recent months, Escalade has leaned on this presence
to promote strong financial growth and improved investor returns.
In the first quarter of 2015, Escalade demonstrated a
commitment to increasing the strength of its brands by continuing to invest in
product development. Through this strategy, the company was able to realize a
21 percent year-over-year increase in net sales, recording $33.4 million for
the period. These results gave Escalade the financial flexibility to increase
its quarterly dividend for all common stock in the future.
“We are pleased to increase our quarterly dividend payment
based on the company’s strong financial performance,” Robert J. Keller,
president and chief executive officer of Escalade, stated in a news release.
“To achieve sustained growth in our markets, we will continue to make strategic
investments in product line expansion and new category entry.”
Since its purchase of Kunkel Industries™ hand-pulled golf
carts way back in 1966, Escalade has had tremendous success in promoting strong
market growth through targeted acquisitions. Most recently, the company
acquired Cue and Case Sales, Inc., a billiard accessory distributor serving the
specialty dealer market, which immediately provided Escalade with access to a
broadened and diversified customer base with which to continue building on its
recent financial performance.
Last August, Escalade’s board of directors voted unanimously
to focus exclusively on the sporting goods segment moving forward. Since the
announcement of that decision, the company has posted increasingly strong
financial results, making it an intriguing candidate for prospective investors.
Look for Escalade to continue expanding its presence in the sporting goods
market, providing a formidable platform for sustainable shareholder returns in
the months to come.
For more information, visit www.escaladesports.com
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