Mountain Equipment Company is back in Canadian hands.

The iconic outdoor retailer announced on Friday, May 16, that it has been acquired by a group of Canadian investors, marking a major shift nearly four years after falling under U.S. ownership.

The new investor group is led by Tim Gu, who brings a deep background in Canadian retail. Gu is Chairman of Unisync Corp, as well as an investor in Canadian brands Tilley and Roots.

香蕉视频直播淢EC represents the best of the Canadian spirit 香蕉视频直播� adventure, resilience, and community,香蕉视频直播� Gu said in a press release. 香蕉视频直播淎s a lifelong believer in Canadian manufacturing and innovation, we will ensure that MEC remains an essential part of Canada香蕉视频直播檚 outdoor culture for generations to come.香蕉视频直播�

Other Canadian investors joining Gu in the ownership group include MEC香蕉视频直播檚 CEO Peter Hlynsky, as well as chief merchandising officer Chris Speyer. Both are longtime MEC members, making this a partial management buyout.

香蕉视频直播淭here has never been a better time to celebrate being Canadian,香蕉视频直播� Hlynsky said. 香蕉视频直播淭oday marks the beginning of MEC香蕉视频直播檚 next chapter, grounded in the values that built MEC from the start. MEC being back in Canadian hands means we are more committed than ever to equipping Canadians for all trails ahead.香蕉视频直播�

In 2020, MEC 香蕉视频直播� then operating as a co-op 香蕉视频直播� was acquired by California-based Kingswood Capital Management and converted into a private retailer. 

Founded in Vancouver in 1971, MEC grew into a staple of Canadian outdoor culture, known for its climbing, hiking, camping, and paddling gear.

MEC currently operates five stores in British Columbia 香蕉视频直播� in Victoria, Langley, Kelowna, North Vancouver, and Vancouver 香蕉视频直播� and 24 stores nationwide.

As of press time, management at the Victoria location was unable to comment on the acquisition.

The return to Canadian ownership comes amid a wave of domestic retail consolidation. On Thursday, Canadian Tire announced it had purchased the Hudson香蕉视频直播檚 Bay Company brand, highlighting a broader trend of Canadian companies reclaiming legacy retail institutions.