Grundéns Hires David Mellon as CEO
(Poulsbo, WA) – Grundéns, producer of the world’s leading foul weather gear, today announces the hiring of David Mellon as CEO. Mellon joins Grundéns from Avex, where he most recently served as general manager. He also brings extensive industry experience from previous posts at Simms Fishing and Black Diamond Equipment. Mellon will lead the brand from the Poulsbo, WA headquarters with global responsibilities for all aspects of the business.
“Grundéns is in a period of exceptional growth and the right brand leadership is needed to propel us into the brand’s finest days, says Peter Sjölander, president of Grundéns Board of Directors. “David brings us an invaluable combination of talent, personality and industry experience that the brand will benefit from immediately. From continuing to build on our market strength in commercial fishing to our early success in sport fishing and growth into new geographical regions, David has the skills and drive to help us succeed in all areas. We are all very excited to have David join an already strong Grundéns team.”
Effective immediately, Mellon will join the executive team and relocate to Poulsbo, WA. In previous roles at Avex, Simms, Black Diamond and The North Face, he has grown the breadth of his skills and experiences in multiple industries, categories, and consumer demographics, translating these into leading products and brands. But in all of his previous roles, he credits the involvement and collaboration of great teams as the key to building great brands and products.
“I joined Grundéns first and foremost because of the incredible people,” Mellon adds. “Second, the opportunity I see is for a strong, authentic brand in commercial fishing and foul weather gear that is already well positioned to extend into other parts of fishing. The history, knowledge, and experience within Grundéns is astounding and I believe my past experiences will help harness the talent that already exists within the Grundéns team to be successful on the next part of the journey. My family and I are relocating to Poulsbo, WA immediately and looking forward to being on the water more.”
Mellon will join the Grundéns team for his first public appearance as CEO as ICAST, the world’s largest sport fishing tradeshow, held July 11-14, 2017 and the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Grundéns will be located in booth #3957 and will displaying new apparel and foul weather gear for Spring 2018.
ABOUT GRUNDÉNS:
Carl A. Grundén began producing traditional waterproof oilskins in 1911 for the fishermen of the North Sea in Grundsund, Sweden. Material shortages during World War I forced the company to close but in 1926 Grundéns Regnklader AB was founded, and has been producing quality gear ever since. Today, the brand operates globally from Stockholm, Sweden and Poulsbo, Washington. Learn more at grundens.com.
