A pair of Utah sports accessory companies have decided to become a team.
Chums and Chisco said Friday they will merge, with the surviving company being headquartered in Salt Lake City at Chisco's current facility and warehouse. The Salt Lake operation will handle customer service, marketing and product customization. The U.S. manufacturing operations will remain in Hurricane, Washington County, at Chums' facility.
Financial terms were not disclosed. The merger is expected to close in November.
Both privately held companies are involved in the outdoor retail accessory market. Their combined work force is about 60.
Chums has been making cotton eyewear retainers for 23 years and produces several other sports accessories.
Chisco started business two decades ago by selling a double-wraparound sports watchband. It also has produced eyewear retainers, optical products and accessories including keychains, wallets, purses, lanyards, belts, stuff bags, travel bags and pet products. It is the worldwide licensee for Freestyle accessories.
Both companies' products are sold throughout the United States and in more than a dozen foreign countries, and both have manufactured products for the private-label market. Chums is one of the world's leading suppliers of safety accessories for industrial corporations. Some of their products are manufactured in China, India and Taiwan.
As a result of the merger, all eyewear products will be sold under the Chums brand, and the other accessories will be sold under the Chisco brand. Freestyle remains a licensed brand.
Chuck Ferries, chief executive officer and president of Chums, will become CEO of the combined company. Beirne Chisolm, president of Chisco, will become vice president of marketing, while his brother and Chisco co-founder, Greg Chisolm, will be chief financial officer.