Greenville, South Carolina (November 2014): Confluence Outdoor—makers of Wilderness Systems and Perception Kayaks, among other top paddlesport brands—and its high quality, American-made canoes and kayaks represent South Carolina on AOL’s This Built America editorial series.
In 2007, kayaking and outdoor water sports were booming. But just because business was up didn’t mean all was well for the company. Over the previous years, consolidation of several brands under one roof created manufacturing confusion and lapses in credibility with key partners. That’s what Sue Rechner took on when she started as Confluence’s CEO in December of that year.
With Rechner in charge, those lapses soon went away, and quality production surged. “Sue has the skill-set to run a billion-dollar business,” explains private equity firm, and new Confluence Outdoor owners, J.H. Whitney managing director Paul Vigano. “She’s really passionate about the outdoors. The industry really needs people like her.”
Confluence Outdoor joins a national movement in This Built America that is devoted to supporting American companies and American-made products. AOL is proud to support the effort along with sponsor Ford Trucks. Through the year, the editorial and video teams will explore 50 states in 50 weeks to bring 50 stories of the people who are bringing back manufacturing to America.
Read the full story, peak inside Confluence’s 433,000 square foot factory, and watch video of Rechner and her colleagues at work at http://www.thisbuiltamerica.com/south-carolina
