Racine-based Johnson Outdoors Inc. announced it has closed on its acquisition of Jetboil Inc., the world’s No. 1 brand of outdoor cooking systems.
The acquisition is expected to be accretive to earnings in the first fiscal year of ownership.
Jetboil will become part of the company’s Outdoor Gear business unit, which makes and markets the iconic Eureka! and Silva brands, and continue to operate from its facility in Manchester, N.H.
Jetboil, founded by cousins and co-inventors Perry Dowst and Dwight Aspinwall, emerged on the camping scene in 2004 with the launch of the award-winning Personal Cooking System (PCS) powered by proprietary FluxRing technology. The PCS ultra-efficient, lightweight design integrated a one liter pot, wind protected burner and heat exchanger into a single, push-button start unit that cut fuel use and cooking times in half compared to other canister stoves.
Since then, Jetboil has broadened its technology and product offering to become the category leader in outdoor cooking systems and redefine consumer expectations for convenience, safety and ease-of-use.
“Jetboil is a perfect fit with Johnson Outdoors – a premier brand known for pioneering innovation, outstanding quality and customer service excellence which brings exciting new technology and dimension to our camping and hiking product offering,” said Helen Johnson-Leipold, chairman and chief executive officer of Johnson Outdoors.
“I am pleased that Jetboil will enter its next chapter of growth within the Johnson Outdoors family of strong brands and heritage within the outdoor industry. I am personally gratified with what the Jetboil brand and team have accomplished over the past eight years, and look for significant new milestones to come with the benefit of Johnson Outdoors’ strong organizational foundation,” said Dowst, who will transition to the role of senior advisor, supporting strategic research and development and new products.
