South Korean Black Yak Co buys Nau brand

American fashion brand Nau has been recently acquired by

Black Yak Co. Ltd. of South Korea, an Asian outdoors retailer. The Portland-based retailer has seen its continuity endangered after a struggling year.

Black Yak purchased Nau from its previous owner, Californian apparel brand Horny Toad, for an undisclosed amount of money.

As advanced by both parties, Nau will function as a wholly owned, independent subsidiary of Black Yak, a 40-year-old Korean outdoor company. Additionally, Nau will tap on Black Yack management: Jun Suk Kang will be president; and DH Lee will be vice president and secretary. Both join Nau co-founder and general Mark Galbraith in being responsible for the brand’s global growth strategy.

“The Black Yak team is incredibly talented and brings substantial global expertise and resources to Nau,” Galbraith said in a news release. “Beyond Black Yak’s operational capabilities, their team is incredibly invested and passionate in our brand. I feel we have the right partnership in place to realise our full potential while upholding our core tenants in design and practice.”

"The addition of Nau to the Black Yak portfolio is a strategic opportunity for the company to lead a paradigm shift in the global outdoor market by helping grow a pioneering brand in fashionable, sustainable outdoor performance on a global basis."