SUPPORTING GROWTH|BUILDING THE BUSINESS|CREATING VALUE

Where creative ingenuity ignites growth and opportunity.

WHAT WE DO

Vertikal Brands is an innovative platform that specializes in strategic growth strategies with business investments in the “Outdoor Lifestyle” category. Driven by our strong passions for the industry, we partner with business owners, and management teams to develop and grow the best brands in the space! This strategy combined with our dedicated equity partner allows us the flexibility that customizable transactions deserve.

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?

COMMITMENT

Selling ones business requires an immense amount of commitment and can be extremely taxing. We are experienced in navigating the entire process with our diverse transaction background as both buyers and sellers. It is not just about “Numbers”. At Vertikal, we are committed to maximizing the potential of the brands and the people.

PERSPECTIVE

We have been in your shoes! Taking businesses to the “Next Level” often requires a keen outside perspective. Investing in strategies to overcome growth hurdles can be equally challenging. Vertikal has the perspective and the capital to reach new heights.

AGILITY

We live in a culture that is fast paced and relentlessly demanding. Our investment transactions are not “one size fits all” and we excel in adaptive strategies most struggle with. Our team has a proven track record, deep industry relationships, and advanced product knowledge within numerous categories. Above all else, trust, loyalty and unmatched transparency are key to our core.

WHO WE ARE

The Vertikal team brings decades of tactical experience from within industry leading private and public companies. Performance speaks volumes and we believe we are highly effective helping businesses excel within facets such as, operations, marketing, digital marketing, e-commerce, sales, product development, mergers & acquisitions, integrations, sourcing, and customer service.

MEET THE TEAM

Jim Gianladis

Chief Executive Officer

Read Jim's profile here

Jim is an avid outdoorsman and product guy. His outdoor passions are vast but include a highly dedicated participation in competitive bass fishing, bowhunting deer and other big game species, waterfowl, turkey and predator hunting, reloading and long range rifle shooting and fly-fishing. Jim has always been relentlessly committed to enhancing the gear used in all manner of outdoor pursuits and has been a driving force behind hundreds of innovative products throughout his career.

Jim is an experienced and dedicated leader with a highly collaborative approach to achieving exceptional business results. He most recently served as President of American Outdoor Brands Accessory Division aka Battenfeld Technologies; departing in July 2017 to pursue the establishment of the platform company Vertikal Brands. Jim joined Battenfeld in June of 2007 and served as VP of Product Development and Marketing prior to being promoted to CEO in 2014.

Prior to Battenfeld, Jim served as Senior Merchandise Manager for Cabela’s, managing multiple hard goods categories with combined annual revenue in excess of $300 million. He joined Cabela’s in 1999 as Product Specialist in Camping and was subsequently promoted to Product Manager prior to his role as Sr. Merchandise Manager. Jim also served as Senior Buyer at Sportsman’s Supply; a fishing tackle distributor based in St. Clair, MO from 1997-1999.

He gained his first experience working in the outdoor industry for local sporting goods stores in Columbia while earning a B.S. Psychology from the University of Missouri.

Adam Birk

Chief Operating Officer

Read Adam's profile here

Adam is a highly gifted individual known for driving revenue and profit growth by leveraging a unique blend of business acumen, market awareness, product development & innovation and organizational improvement.

Adam grew up in rural Missouri where he learned his love for the outdoors. He now lives in Eastern North Carolina where, on any given weekend, you will most likely find him in a hunting blind or on the boat chasing trout and redfish. Adam loves to travel with this wife and 3 boys.

Adam previously served as VP of Operations for American Outdoor Brands Corporation Accessories Division, Battenfeld Technologies, Inc. Prior to AOB’s acquisition of Battenfeld, Adam served as Battenfeld’s COO and was instrumental to the exponential growth of the company. He was highly involved in M&A activity and has led multiple acquisition integrations. He also possesses a strong passion for product development and led Battenfeld’s engineering team. Adam’s top priorities are always the development of people and processes in any size organization.

Prior to joining Battenfeld Adam spent 10 years in engineering and product development with John Deere where he held various management roles, primarily focused on the small tractor product line. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Missouri Science & Technology and an MBA from Queens University of Charlotte.

Jeff Forsberg

Chief Marketing Officer

Read Jeff's profile here

Jeff is a small business owner, creative, strategic marketer, avid outdoorsman, tinkerer, father and friend to many.

Originally a Minnesota native, Jeff moved to Colorado on a blind ambition to expand his professional experience and to immerse himself in diverse outdoor cultures. He studied International Affairs and Marketing Communications at the University of Colorado Boulder and proceeded to work in a fast-paced, upscale environment, assuring client satisfaction within sizeable real estate portfolios. While working at Boulder Lending Group Jeff was responsible for managing a $20M+ real estate pipeline.

After great success in the lending world, he decided to merge his talents, passions, and career ambitions by joining the Outdoor Industry. He began working for a small marketing agency in Eagle Colorado who specialized in advertising initiatives within the hunting, fishing and camping space.

Jeff managed, designed and executed ad campaigns for over 34 clients in the outdoor industry. During his tenure at UrgeMedia Inc, Jeff and his team grew the company’s gross revenue by over 250%.

After seeing a significant shift in the market, Jeff wanted to expand his experience within the manufacturer side of the industry. He went on to work for Battenfeld Technologies, Inc. as Vice President of Marketing from June of 2015 to August 2017. While at BTI, he played an integral role in a variety of business functions including, M&A activity, acquisition integrations, E-commerce strategies, sales strategies, product concepts, and numerous strategic marketing initiatives for all Battenfeld brands.

Jeff believes that great men and women are not made great because of politics or status. He believes they are made great because of their unyielding prudence, keen sense of propriety and ones relentless pursuit to achieve what others say is impossible.