Author: kalon.pilmanis
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Re-Shoring Challenges Part 1: When Owning the Factory Owns You
Rethinking Reshoring: What Product Strategists Know That Policymakers Don’t A Personal Note I am one of very few product strategists in the outdoor industry who has worked with three different domestic manufacturers. While I take great pride in creating successful products built in American factories, I am also empathetic to brands that have chosen alternative… Read more
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Tariffs, Margins, and Magic Price Points: Strategic Pricing Under Pressure
April 7, 2025 In a season of renewed tariff pressure, outdoor brands with global supply chains are again facing a familiar dilemma: how to adjust pricing quickly, strategically, and credibly. New Trump-era tariffs—building on preexisting duties—are hitting margins hard, and brands have little time to react. For companies with broad portfolios—say, apparel, accessories, and equipment—the… Read more
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When Trade Policy Meets the Kitchen Knife: What Most People Don’t Know About Tariffs and Fair Trade
April 3, 2025 Most Americans don’t realize that both the United States and Germany are home to world-class cutlery industries. Portland, Oregon, for example, is a powerhouse in American knife manufacturing, with brands known globally for their quality and craftsmanship. Likewise, regions like Solingen, Germany, have centuries-old reputations for precision blades. But despite this mutual… Read more
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PFAS Discounting: A History Lesson for the Outdoor Industry
July 23, 2024 What in the fire sale is going on? It’s the peak of the camping and backpacking season, yet major outdoor brands are running deep, unprecedented discounts on core products like tents, backpacks, and sleeping bags. Independent retailers are upset, taking to LinkedIn to air their grievances and opine about brand management and… Read more