Something going on at Cabrinha

[speedyRider]

First it was Mike Raper, 20 years working with NP.
Now its Pat Goodman, main designer of Cabrinha products.

Both went to North (North, not duotone).

This makes me think something wrong is going on at Cabrinha. Why would you leave a company that you have been working on for 20 years? Im just guessing but financial problems at NP/Cabrinha and maybe a paycut offered to them made them move? Or i read somewhere that they just fired some people at NP/Cabrinha, but i dont think they would fire these two guys as it would be shooting in your own feet.

[Toby]

Love watching crime movies...and they always have one saying: follow the money and you will find the truth ...

Maybe same same here?

[FLandOBX]

First it was Mike Raper, 20 years working with NP.
Now its Pat Goodman, main designer of Cabrinha products.

Both went to North (North, not duotone).

This makes me think something wrong is going on at Cabrinha. Why would you leave a company that you have been working on for 20 years? Im just guessing but financial problems at NP/Cabrinha and maybe a paycut offered to them made them move? Or i read somewhere that they just fired some people at NP/Cabrinha, but i dont think they would fire these two guys as it would be shooting in your own feet.

Could this simply be more evidence of a solidifying relationship between Cabrinha and North Sails??? I understand (from a North/Duotone dealer) that Cabrinha will be producing kites under the "North" (not Duotone) brand name and presumably working with North Sails to do so. If that's the case, it might make sense to move a guy like Goodman to North to jump-start the process. I'm just speculating, but having been involved in several corporate mergers and acquisitions, I know that cross-pollination with key employees is often part of the process.

[Toby]

Why would Cabrinha produce under the name of North ?
Trying to find an explanation who would benefit from that ?

[speedyRider]

Didnt think of that, maybe its that cabrinha is north also? Could be. But either is that way or is that cabrinha is sinking and the guys going to North...

[speedyRider]

Toby, makes sense to try to get some of the old north customers....who knows. But i dont think this is the case

[Toby]

Cabrinha is on of the top brands!

It only would make sense if North aquired Cabrinha from NP...this way they would have two strong names...

Since Cabrinha HQ moved back to Hawaii this is a possibility...and would make sense to me.

[Faxie]

I don't believe NP would sell their entire kite division as one of the biggest players... but who knows...

[shawn13]

Something is definitely going on... don't they always release the new line Aug 1st?? I see nothing on the website....

[Laughingman]

I would guess that North is offering an opportunity to do things the way these guys think it should be done, and by providing them with all the best technology and expertise from North sails maybe a career change offer was just to good to refuse...? After 20 years of the same politics it doesn't take much to jump ship if you are promised more control of direction and vision....