SSI joins HEAD/MARES

SSI joins HEAD/MARES

Dear TEAM HEAD/MARES and TEAM SSI,

We are proud to announce HEAD has signed an agreement to acquire Scuba Schools International (SSI). The effective date will be January 1^st 2014.

In recent years, SSI has become one of the fastest growing training agencies in the world. Dive Centers and Resorts alike are turning to SSI for the depth and quality of their training materials, plus their “signature” business support.  With more than 40 years of experience, innovative products like Swim, Freediving and Extended Range keep SSI in the forefront of both the active diver and new consumer.  This is only possible through the SSI network of 2500 plus Dive Centers and Resorts around the world providing "The Ultimate Dive Experience!"

Looking at the depth of the HEAD product lines, one is struck by the obvious.  Not only is HEAD one of the leading manufacturers of many well know sporting goods brands, they also own MARES, one of the world’s 3 leading diving equipment brands. Their products are a perfect match with SSI – Swimming, Snorkeling, Freediving, Spearfishing and Scuba.  With direct subsidiaries in most developed countries, MARES also has distributors in 50 other countries.

In order to integrate these two businesses, this merger will trigger various organizational changes. Please understand our goal is to make this transition seamless for you. We will take whatever time needed to understand each other’s business to make the “right” decisions. For your comfort, here are some details to ease your mind:

·         The entire SSI senior management team will remain in place and continue their daily responsibilities.

·         Both the SSI USA and SSI EMEA offices will be maintained.  Some operational and back office functions will be merged into the HEAD/MARES organization:

o   MARES Asia Pacific will become an SSI Service Center to better serve the entire Asia Pacific region - the fastest growing region in the world.

o   MARES SpA in Italy will become the Service Center for the EMEA region.

o   SSI USA will remain the Service Center for the USA and Canada in conjunction with HEAD USA.

As of Dec 12^th, ALL customers will be informed through written communication, a release to financial investors has already been sent.

Bringing these 2 companies together represents a huge paradigm shift for the diving industry and a tremendous growth opportunity. 

Welcome to a new direction, MARES/SSI. Prepare to be amazed!

With Best Regards,

The MARES/SSI Management Team

Gerald Skrobanek, MARES

Robert Stoss, SSI

Doug McNeese, SSI

Guido Waetzig, SSI