VANCOUVER, BC, May 16, 2025 - Mountain Equipment Company (MEC) has been acquired by a group of private Canadian investors with deep industry experience and a vision of reshoring some manufacturing to Canada.
This transaction shifts MEC’s ownership to a group of Canadian investors with domain expertise, a deep belief in MEC's purpose and a long-term vision for the business.
The new investor group is led by Tim Gu, who brings a deep background in Canadian retail, manufacturing, and investment. Tim is Chairman of Unisync Corp. (TSX: UNI), a publicly traded Canadian uniform and workwear company, as well as an investor in Canadian heritage brands including Tilley and Roots. He founded and operates E.star International Inc, a Toronto-based apparel manufacturing facility established in 1999, which supports Canadian jobs and champions “Made in Canada” production — values that closely align with MEC’s heritage and mission.
Partnering with Tim strengthens MEC’s ability to reinvest in domestic manufacturing and enhance the authenticity, quality, and innovation of the MEC Label product line.
“MEC represents the best of Canadian spirit — adventure, resilience, and community,” said Tim Gu. “As a lifelong believer in Canadian manufacturing and innovation, I’m proud to join MEC’s journey. Together, we’ll strengthen its foundation, expand its reach, and ensure that MEC remains an essential part of Canada’s outdoor culture for generations to come.”
Other Canadian investors joining Gu in the ownership group include MEC’s Chief Executive Officer, Peter Hlynsky, as well as Chief Merchandising Officer Chris Speyer, both longtime MEC members, making this a partial management buyout. This underscores how much MEC’s leadership believes in the future of the company.
“There has never been a better time to celebrate being Canadian” says Hlynsky. “Today marks the beginning of MEC’s next chapter, grounded in the values that built MEC from the start. We will continue to evolve and innovate in order to stay relevant to the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts, and we will remain true to what sets MEC apart: expert staff who live and breathe the outdoors, stores that are anchors for outdoor communities and an unwavering commitment to providing the best assortment of outdoor gear found anywhere. MEC being back in Canadian hands means we are more committed than ever to equip Canadians for all trails ahead”.
Says Alex Wolf, Managing Partner at Kingswood Capital Management, “Kingswood has been pleased with the investments we made in the business in the past four years. Now that it’s in a good place, we’re happy to see control move to new ownership and grow MEC’s presence across Canada.” Kingswood will retain a minority interest in MEC.
The sale has been in the works for months, and the timing aligns perfectly with the interests of Canadian consumers.
