Talon Acquired By Easton-Bell Sports

VAN NUYS, Calif. — Easton-Bell Sports, a leading manufacturer of sporting goods equipment, has acquired privately held lacrosse equipment manufacturer Talon Lacrosse — prompting the development of a new Easton Lacrosse division.

Together with Talon, the new lacrosse division will incorporate Easton’s innovative design, materials and technology into the tradition and culture of America’s fastest growing field sport. Talon co-founders Doug Appleton, Cort Kim and Blake Kim will all have strategic roles in the new division, with Appleton serving as general manager.

“I am pleased to welcome the Talon Lacrosse team to the Easton-Bell Sports family,” said Paul Harrington, president and chief executive officer of Easton-Bell Sports. “Talon’s lacrosse product knowledge and passion for the game combined with Easton’s R&D resources and distribution channels provide a solid foundation for Easton’s entrance into a growth market for sporting goods equipment.”

Talon Lacrosse has successfully developed and marketed authentic products for player use at all levels and will now expand into a full line of innovative lacrosse products developed, manufactured and sold under the Easton brand. The new lacrosse division will be located in Scotts Valley, California.

“We are thrilled to be joining forces with a market leader like Easton,” said Doug Appleton. “There are great synergies here with Talon Lacrosse and Easton’s presence and brand positioning. Both Talon and Easton believe in technical innovation, superb quality and exceeding the expectation of our customers. As Talon becomes fully integrated into the Easton-Bell Sports family in the coming months, we will refine and communicate our product line introduction and go to market strategies to our consumers and retail partners.”