Horny Toad activewear acquires Nau

25 Jun '08

5 min read

Horny Toad Activewear Inc is proud to announce that it has acquired the Nau brand. Six weeks ago, on May 2, 2008, Nau, Inc. announced it was closing shop due to an inability to secure additional financing.

That event triggered an overwhelming response from Nau's customers who recognized the value associated with Nau's product, brand and pioneering work in the arena of sustainability.

Their response, and a deep belief in what Nau represents, inspired a small group of now former Nau employees to see if they could pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and take another shot at this thing Nau Inc is pleased to announce that Horny Toad, a like-minded, entrepreneurial Santa Barbara-based lifestyle apparel company, has stepped forward and purchased the bulk of its remaining assets.

Horny Toad believes in Nau's underlying ethos and is committed to continuing the key components of the Nau brand: its product, its core philosophies and its customer and community relationships.

"We're still committed to being a catalyst for positive change and bringing distinctive product to our customers," said Mark Galbraith, who now works for the new company as Nau's head of Product Design.

"We plan to re-open with a new Fall/Holiday 2008 collection that continues to reflect the design philosophy Nau's customers have come to know and love – a balance of Beauty, Performance and Sustainability."

As in the past, Nau will source materials and produce garments in the most environmentally-sensitive manner available and continue to work with manufacturing partners to push the envelope in all areas of social and environmental responsibility.

The new Nau (we'll call it version 2.0) will launch on August 1, 2008 as a new and separate company benefiting from operational support and experience provided by Horny Toad, its new parent company.

This will include a transition of fulfillment and logistic services to Horny Toad's social venture partners, Planet Access.

"We're thrilled to find a partner who both recognizes and values the unique nature of what we've created and is committed to supporting the growth of our business over the long term," said Ian Yolles, who was hired by Horny Toad as Nau's head of Marketing.

According to Gordon Seabury, CEO of Horny Toad, "We saw in Nau an innovative brand representing the perfect blend of outdoor, urban fashion sensibility with an unwavering commitment to sustainability.

It is all about their innovative product, authentic brand and most importantly the talented group behind those attributes. Our long term vision is to create a family of complimentary brands that can learn from one another while embodying a do the right thing philosophy."

Horny Toad has also pioneered an experimental retail concept in Portland, OR. The Lizard Lounge is one part retail venue and one part urban social hub that carries a variety of lifestyle apparel brands.

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