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May 10, 2021

GCI Outdoor acquired by global manufacturer

PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED GCI Outdoor manufactures products such as the "Everywhere Chair."
By Joanna Smiley

A Higganum-based company, GCI Outdoor, has just been acquired by a global manufacturer, MacNeill Pride Group.

The companies did not disclose terms of the transaction, but GCI cofounder Jeff Polke said GCI will retain its Higganum facility, which employs 35 people. MPG is headquartered in Nashville with offices across America, Europe and Asia. The MPG portfolio includes another recently-acquired company ORCA, a Nashville-based supplier of coolers and other outdoor accessories.

GCI’s story began more than 25 years ago when  Polke and fellow co-founder Dan Grace, who had been childhood friends since nursery school, became frustrated sitting on wet grass at the Canon Greater Hartford Open.

A “lightbulb moment” occurred when Grace, an engineer, realized there had to be an easier way to enjoy a golf tournament outside.

After tinkering with several iterations, the two friends eventually created the “Everywhere Chair.” They purchased a Ford box truck from a landscaping company in Farmington and hit the road. Even blowing an engine on the way to their first trade show didn’t stop them, and soon they were hitting trade shows 27 weekends a year, according to Polke. The hard work paid off: L.L. Bean, REI and Dick’s Sporting Goods all purchased their products.

“Dan put in his 401k, and he said I’d get 50% of the company if I came in. That’s how we started our partnership,” Polke said, noting he worked for a family business so he had the flexibility to jump in. Polke’s father was also an entrepreneur who owned a wine shop and invested in real estate.

“We’re doers. We don’t sit back. We’ve never missed a beat. The last two years have been the biggest two years of history,” Polke said proudly, adding that today GCI sells its outdoor recreational gear to over 3,000 stores worldwide and online.

Joe Henderson, president of MPG, stated in a press release, “GCI Outdoor’s legacy of innovative outdoor chairs, tables and equipment positions MPG as a leader in the recreation market. The synergy of GCI Outdoor with our ORCA coolers and drinkware brand will expand our footprint in the outdoor recreation space and build on our core value of bringing new products and ideas to market.”

Contact Joanna Smiley at jsmiley@newhavenbiz.com.

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