K-Swiss acquires Supra, KR3W – appoints new president

Robert Capener

SES Executive Edition members can read our interview with K-Swiss Global Brands CEO Larry Remington about the acquisition.

K-Swiss Global Brands has acquired One Distribution, the company that owns Supra and KR3W.

Supra and KR3W employees are being informed this morning during a town hall meeting at One Distribution’s Fountain Valley, Calif. headquarters.




Terms of the deal were not disclosed. One Distribution was started by Scott Vanderripe, Scott Bailey and Angel Cabada. In 2010, private equity firm Betram Capital acquired a majority of the business, though the founders retained an ownership stake.

One Distribution Co-Founders Scott Bailey and Angel Cabada will be exiting the company- SES file photo, all rights reserved

K-Swiss has named a new president for both Supra and KR3W.  Robert Capener will now lead the brands and report to K-Swiss CEO Larry Remington.

Previously, Capener founded the Above the Rim and Heaton brands, and also held senior positions at Adidas, Reebok and No Fear.

Scott Bailey and Angel Cabada will no longer work at One Distribution, though they may initially assist some in the transition, K-Swiss executives said. Scott Vanderripe had not worked day-to-day at the company in some time.

K-Swiss was acquired by huge South Korean conglomerate E.Land in 2013. E.Land and its entities own more than 200 brands and operate more than 10,000 stores around the world. In addition to fashion brands, the company also owns restaurant, construction and leisure companies.

K-Swiss has assembled a group of brands under its umbrella, including Palladium, PLDM and OTZ shoes.

In an interview, K-Swiss CEO Larry Remington talked with SES about plans for Supra and KR3W, why he believes the acquisition is a good fit, if the brands will stay in Fountain Valley, and if he has any concerns that Angel Cabada, who is very well regarded in design and creative circles, will no longer be working with the brands.

Remington also talks about potential synergies between K-Swiss and One Distribution and much more.

Executive Edition members can read that interview here.

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