Ibex Taps Outdoor Industry Veteran Ted Manning as CEO

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt. - July 22, 2013 - PRLog -- Ibex Outdoor Clothing, manufacturer of premium technical Merino wool apparel and accessories, appoints Ted Manning as the company’s new CEO, effectively immediately.

An outdoor industry veteran and a longtime New England resident, Manning joins Ibex after an 18-year career with Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) where he most recently served as Executive Vice President. Manning began his career on the sales floor at EMS in 1989 when he was a senior in high school. After college, he went back to work in the EMS stores. In 2000, Manning moved into a technical sports buying position and literally worked his way up the ranks within the company.

At Ibex, Manning will shepherd the next stage of growth for Ibex and build on the company’s existing product and brand strength.

The wholesale channel is a key pillar in Ibex’s multi-channel platform and an opportunity for future success. While the company is committed to strengthening brand visibility and accessibility across all channels, Manning points out that the specialty retail is still the best platform for creating intimate and valuable relationships with consumers.

“Our ability to continue to nurture and grow our loyal customer base is a part of the Ibex opportunity I am really excited about,” Manning explained.

Ibex also remains committed to evolving and expanding its North American manufacturing program, Manning said, and will continue to concentrate on excellence and innovation in all Ibex product lines.

“This is a great hire for us,” said Keith Anderson, Vice President of Marketing, Ibex. “Ted's experience and industry perspective is a great addition to our team. His background and leadership will help strengthen the business on all fronts, in particular the wholesale channel and our commitment to specialty outdoor retailers.”

“I am really excited to be a part of this company, and to help grow Ibex’s leadership team in White River Junction,” said Manning. “This is a tremendous group of people with a real opportunity to significantly expand this brand.”

Speaking about what drew him to Ibex, Manning said, “I was looking for a handful of things in my next professional role; a group of people whom I could lead and be inspired by, a brand that stood for something beyond its own economics, and an opportunity to be a part of a business that created positive change in the communities it connected with, and I hoped to find this all in a place that allowed my family to stay connected to wilderness, our values and each other.”

Manning is an avid cyclist, fly fisherman and paddler, and he gets outside as often as possible. He, his wife and their three children have relocated to the Upper Valley of Vermont where their first acquisition will be a new house, followed shortly by a dog.

About Ibex

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in White River Junction, VT, Ibex is a designer of year-round Merino wool outdoor clothing and cycling apparel, founded in the belief of the superior natural performance and properties of wool. Ibex couples the natural renewable resource with technical innovation and inspired design to create apparel for a diverse range of outdoor and active pursuits and passions. Men’s and Women’s items are divided into Ride, Base, Zing, Peak and Live categories, and are made from the best Merino wool fabrics sustainably sourced from New Zealand. All Ibex clothing and accessories are available for purchase online, in catalog and through outdoor specialty stores. For more information, visit ibex.com.

Ibex is a portfolio company of North Castle Partners, a leading private equity firm focused on investments in consumer-driven product and service businesses that promote Healthy, Active, and Sustainable Living. North Castle is a hands-on, value-added investor in high-growth, middle market companies in the (i) beauty & personal care, (ii) consumer health, (iii) fitness, recreation & sports, (iv) home & leisure and (v) nutrition sectors, among others. In addition to Ibex, North Castle's current portfolio includes such well-known brands as Contigo, Curves International, Palladio Beauty Group, Mineral Fusion, Red Door Spas, Performance Bicycles, World Health, Octane Fitness, and Flatout Flatbreads. Prior portfolio company holdings include Atkins Nutritionals, Cascade Helmets, Bora-Bora Organic Foods, gloProfessional, Equinox Fitness, EAS, Enzymatic Therapy, CRC Health Group, Doctor's Dermatologic Formula, Naked Juice Company, and Avalon Organics / Alba Botanicals. North Castle and its operating executives and advisors partner with management to bring a wide range of strategic and operational capabilities, as well as an extensive knowledge base and network to build world-class companies. North Castle is headquartered in Greenwich, CT. For more information, visit www.northcastlepartners.com.

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Julie Evans
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