Lifetime Products, a worldwide Utah-based manufacturer of sporting goods equipment, announced today that it has acquired the assets of Pennsylvania-based Emotion Kayaks, adding the company's innovative kayaks to Lifetime’s extensive line of water sports products.
“With the recent tax incentive from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development we received to expand our manufacturing capabilities in Utah, we will be expanding our blow-molding facilities,” said Lifetime President Richard Hendrickson. “These new facilities will be used to manufacture more kayaks to meet demand for this growing product line.”

Lifetime has agreed to purchase all of Emotion Kayaks’ assets, including its intellectual property, trademark portfolio, manufacturing equipment, inventory and its retailer contracts. Now, kayak products previously distributed by Emotion Kayaks will be manufactured at Lifetime’s headquarters and manufacturing facility in Clearfield, Utah.

Emotion Kayaks has strong brand recognition in the industry and offers a variety of kayak equipment and accessories. Over the years, Emotion Kayaks has received various awards and recognition from outdoor sports enthusiasts for their quality products and innovative designs, including the 2010 Outside Magazine “Gear of the Year” winner.

Hendrickson said, “When we combine the successful designs, brand, and specialty channel distribution of Emotion Kayaks with Lifetime’s world-class manufacturing model with global capabilities, we have a recipe for great success and growth in kayaks.”

Thomas Strauss, President of Emotion Kayaks, will be joining the Lifetime team and will play a key role in the transition and new category development. This kayak product addition will complement Lifetime’s Water Sports lineup, which currently includes sit-inside, sit-on-top, tandem and youth kayaks, as well as paddleboards. With the acquisition of Emotion Kayaks, Lifetime will be one of the largest kayak manufacturers in the world.

Currently, Lifetime kayaks are available in sporting goods retailers nationwide. The new kayak models from Emotion Kayaks will be available beginning Spring 2012 in sporting goods stores, and specialty stores such as REI and Cabela's.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Lifetime Products, Inc. was established in 1986 and is a privately-held company headquartered in Clearfield, Utah. Lifetime’s products are sold in 58 countries. Lifetime is the world’s leading manufacturer of polyethylene folding tables, chairs, and residential basketball hoops. With other offerings from outdoor sheds and carts to kayaks and soccer goals, Lifetime continues to develop innovative products.