Kathmandu founder Cameron invests in Macpac

Friday 10th June 2011

Jan Cameron, the former owner of outdoor clothing and equipment company Kathmandu, is investing in rival Macpac, one of the owners of Macpac said.

Macpac shareholder Pierre van Noorden confirmed the investment, which was reported in the Australian Financial Review. He said fellow shareholder Campbell Junor would say more about the investment tomorrow.

The AFR reported that Ms Cameron, an Australian who drove the development of Christchurch-based Kathmandu, is investing up to A$20 million (NZ$26 million) in Macpac now that a non-compete agreement has expired. Kathmandu was sold to a private equity company and later listed on the sharemarket.

Cameron has continued to be active in retail investments. She is a substantial shareholder in listed clothing company Postie Plus and also owns Australian discount retailer Retail Adventures, which operates Chickenfeed, Sam's Warehouse, Crazy Clark's, Go-Lo and other stores.

It was reported last year that Cameron, who received a Queen's Birthday honour for philanthropy last year, was talks with Macpac about a joint venture.

Macpac was founded in 1973 by Bruce McIntyre. In 2008, Mouton Noir, owner of the Fairydown outdoor equipment and clothing brand, purchased Macpac. Its shareholders are Junor, van Noorden and Bernie Wicht.

Cameron is estimated to be worth A$295 million in the BRW Rich 200 list

NZPA

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