Kitsbow, the Old Fort based maker of premium cycling clothing and accessories, was purchased by its employees with the help of a group of North Carolina investors on Monday, Jan. 3 after 10 years of private ownership.
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‘It was a natural step to make’
Employees purchase Kitsbow with backing from N.C. investors
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Kitsbow, the Old Fort based maker of premium cycling clothing and accessories, was purchased by its employees with the help of a group of local North Carolina investors on Monday, Jan. 3 after 10 years of private ownership. CEO David Billstrom is pictured in this photo from September of last year with one of the company’s machines. He will hold the same title and role in the new organization, and will report to a new board of directors structured to be inclusive, diverse, and representative of the Old Fort community as well as the employees.
Kitsbow was established in California 10 years ago, with each detail of its apparel vetted for quality, style, and durability. The clothes are also exceedingly durable, which means they last longer, which means the negative impact of production is minimized. Relocating to Old Fort in 2019, Kitsbow committed to a Just in Time manufacturing model, minimizing waste and maximizing flexibility to serve the customer. This is the showroom for Kitsbow’s products at the Old Fort Ride House.
All of the Kitsbow employees in Old Fort are expected to stay, indeed all were offered their same jobs, and all hourly employees received a significant raise effective Sunday, Jan. 2 to reflect the increased cost of living in Old Fort.
All of the Kitsbow employees in Old Fort are expected to stay, indeed all were offered their same jobs, and all hourly employees received a significant raise effective Sunday, Jan. 2 to reflect the increased cost of living in Old Fort.
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