Burton announced this week that its sunglass and goggle brand Anon will move its product, sales and marketing functions back to Burton headquarters in Vermont from Irvine, Calif.
Earlier this year, Burton moved The Program, which includes Burton-owned snowboard brands Forum, Special Blend and Foursquare, from Orange County to Vermont as well.
I was curious about the moves so followed up with John Lacy, Burton Senior Vice President of Snow Products, and asked him some questions about the changes.
Will the staff that is here move to Vermont? Or, are those positions being eliminated with other staffers in Vermont absorbing the jobs?
Anon plans to expand its staff in Vermont with the addition of brand and sales positions.
How many people are impacted – i.e. how many people are moving to Vermont?
One Anon employee is relocating back to Vermont. The remaining California-based Anon staff will assist with the transition in the next few months.
It seems many Burton brands have moved back to Vermont now. Will Analog follow? What about Burton apparel?
No other brands or departments are to follow. This move was in line with our focus to strengthen Anon’s goggle business and invest more in developing and marketing great winter products.
Will Burton keep its offices in Orange County?
Yes, Burton continues to have a strong commitment to its California-based and multi-season boardsports brands.
How long has Anon been based in Orange County?
Since January 2008.
Here is the official press release about the move:
anon Optics Returns to Roots in Vermont
Irvine, Calif. (October 7, 2009) – anon Optics, today announced the product, sales and marketing functions of the company will be based in Burlington, Vermont, where parent company Burton Snowboards is located.
Under the leadership of anon Vice President of Product, Jeff Gilberti, the transition will be complete by early November and will allow anon to strengthen its focus on its goggle business and invest more in developing and marketing great winter products. anon plans to expand its staff in Vermont with the addition of brand and sales management positions.
anon has proven its relevance in the sunglass business, while continuing to focus on premium optics driven by the boardsports lifestyle, the company will maintain support for its emerging sunglass category.
“We make the best winter products here in Burlington, it is also the birthplace of anon. In challenging times like these, we need to be very strategic with allocating our resources so we can continue to invest in our core strengths,” says Laurent Potdevin, Chief Executive Officer for Burton.
For more information on anon, please visit www.anonoptics.com.
