Russell Corporation Signs Agreement to Buy Mossy Oak Brand's Apparel Business

Russell Corporation announced it has signed an agreement to acquire the apparel operations of Haas Outdoors, Inc. to create the Mossy Oak Apparel Company.

The agreement includes the assets of Haas' apparel operations and the licensing rights for core apparel products under the Mossy Oak brand trademark. Russell will also become the master licensee for certain apparel, with worldwide rights for one of the nation's leading brands of camouflage designs. The terms of the agreement were not released.

"This acquisition gives us category leadership in what has become a growing niche market for our Jerzees brand and potential for growth in a market that lacks a primary brand leader for outdoor apparel," said Jack Ward, chairman, president and CEO. "It is part of our overall corporate strategy to build brands and extend product lines, particularly with value-added products. We will now have the ability to build and develop business around Jerzees Outdoors, Trebark and Mossy Oak brands in the growing outdoor market."

Haas Outdoors is a privately owned company founded in 1986 by Toxey Haas and headquartered in West Point, Mississippi. The camouflage patterns developed under the Mossy Oak brand can be found on everything from hunting apparel and accessories to all-terrain vehicles. Haas Outdoors will continue their other ventures which include brand licensing for Mossy Oak and Trebark, the production of two national television shows, videos and an outdoor magazine in addition to developing wildlife products and operating Mossy Oak Real Estate.

Edited by Anndrea Vorobej