New Sales Manager At Sportube
Highland Trading Company, Inc, which celebrated its 26th anniversary last month, has announced the hiring of industry veteran Mike Stepanek as Sales Manager. Stepanek brings over 20 years’ experience in sales and business development in the outdoor, ski and bike industries. Highland Trading Company is the manufacturer and distributer of Sportube and Wildsyde Vintage Electric Bicycles.
“I am excited and proud to be a part of the team as I really fit into the vibe and culture at the office,” said Stepanek. “We are living in unprecedented times and are adapting to the uncertainties of the travel and ski industries. We have a positive outlook, but there is a lot of unknow still. But with new challenges also comes new opportunities. Highland Trading Company has built an incredibly successful business establishing Sportube as the leader in hard case protection for skis, boards and gear. Our ski bags, boot bags and especially our heated boot bag have a quality and functionality second to none. We will continue to focus efforts in the snowsports space, but we are also exploring new avenues to grow like the spearfish and waterski industries. And Wildsyde, these vintage electric cruiser bikes are just so sexy and cool. We are at the beginning stages of an enormous opportunity and I am quite enthusiastic about joining Paul (Hields) and building something distinctive.”
Paul Hields, founder and CEO of Highland Trading Company, Inc stated, “Mike brings diverse experience to the team and we work well together. I am confident he will add value in all aspects of the company. And, the lunch time mountain bike rides next summer just might get a bit competitive.”
Ideally situated in the Rocky Mountains between Vail and Beaver Creek, Sportube has been a manufacturer of ski travel cases since 1995. Proudly made in the USA, Sportube is considered the #1 supplier of hard cases to the winter sports market with distribution to over 40 countries in the ski, snowboard, spearfishing and water ski markets. In 2014, Sportube naturally expanded their product mix to include ski bags, boots bags and luggage and in 2017 launched their award-winning heated boot bag, the Toaster Elite.
“2020 has brought unique challenges to everyone’s business,” states Hields. “Our plan coming into winter 20/21 was to have a positive stance with inventory. We have ample stock in our Series 1, 2 and 3 hard cases as well as our ski and boot bags. Our inventory is still in good shape today, but this is changing daily as we have been fulfilling dealer’s inventory needs where they may have seen incomplete deliveries. Out team has done a great job this season shipping preseason orders and getting ASAP PO’s out the door.”
Stepanek adds, “The airline travel industry remains a bit of a mystery today so we are reminding our customers that our hard cases are versatile and can be used on a roof rack, in the back of a pickup, or inside of your car protecting the interior. I think the biggest spike in 2020 fall has been our Toaster Elite heated boot bag. Accounts are selling this to the folk planning to do more backcountry skiing. It’s easy to convey the message to consumers to plug the bag into the car portal on the way to the trailhead and have toasty warm boots to put on before you begin your adventure. We anticipate our Toaster Elite heated boot bag will be a great holiday seller, especially for the consumer looking for that special gift for that hard to buy for person on their list.”
Wildsyde strives to create a new innovative and stylish commuting option. Why drive when you can ride your bike? Since 2018, Wildsyde has manufactured vintage electric cruiser bikes with a bit of WWII motorcycle aura. These class 2 Ebikes are built with comfort in mind and target the daily commuter heading to work, for a coffee, to a friend’s, off to the yoga studio, to the store or the pub. The Beast, the Shadow and the Hunni Bunni will continue in the lineup and Wildsyde will launch the new Paree (step thru) and Roam as more traditional looking Ecruiser for spring. Stepanek adds, “We have bikes to ship today, but we are taking deposits for the new Paree and Roam which we cannot ship until later this spring.” Wildsyde also supplies a small collection of retro style baskets, racks, and drink holders.
