Fly fishing brand Snowbee UK is to go through some major changes at the top, with managing director Russell Weston stepping aside and handing control to SM Group (Europe).
Already Snowbee UK’s biggest customer, SMG, as it is known, will become the exclusive European distributor for the brand, handling all aspects of the business.
Plymouth-based Russell, now 67, is stepping down after nearly 39 years in charge.
He said: “Having built the company and the Snowbee brand from nothing, almost 39 years ago, to where it is today, makes me immensely proud of the achievement but the time has come to step aside and spend more time with my family and actually get to do some fishing!
“I’m very pleased to transfer the Snowbee brand to SMG’s safe hands. I’ll be staying on in a part-time consultancy role and to help with the seamless transition of the business, to SMG. With the rest of the employees at Snowbee UK transferring to SMG without any job losses, it is very much business as usual”
SMG, also based in Plymouth, have been associated with Snowbee since 2016. Better known as the UK’s largest marine electronics distributor, amongst over 60 quality brands SMG also has products for the fishing, watersports, outdoor and equestrian markets.
Ray Badminton, MD of SMG, explained: “We already have a long history with Snowbee, with great symmetry between each company’s values, staff dedication and company structure.
“Equally important is the growth potential we see for the brand, offering its products to a selection of SMG’s 800 trade accounts. We also plan to return to Snowbee’s roots, launching new products in the equestrian and pet markets.”
A bonus for Snowbee’s current trade accounts is that they will also now have access to all SMGs other brands allowing them to increase sales with names such as Garmin and Raymarine fishfinders, ThrustMe electric outboards, Rebelcell outdoor power kayas and Railblaza rod holders, kayak trolleys and storage accessories.