Hans Maasbøl: ‘It’s great to be back in the industry with Fairpoint’

Just days after taking up his role as CEO of Fairpoint Outdoors AS, Hans Maasbøl – former CEO of Svendsen Sport – told Angling International: “It’s great to be back in the fishing industry.”

Maasbøl left the fishing tackle industry in February 2022 and has been working outside the trade since.

“It is ironic that I am back working with Westin – a long-time competitor of Svendsen – but it is a privilege to be at a company that has so many passionate people. After two years away, the moment I stepped in the door I could feel the passion of the people here.”

Maasbøl added that he is looking forward to building on Westin’s status as a premier brand and Kinetic’s much-loved brand. “There are opportunities in front of us. Looking at the geographic road map, there is plenty of potential for the company.

“I will be looking at strategy going forward, but do not expect big changes to the existing plans. We will concentrate what we are good at – bringing the best new products to the market. The industry is still one that is extremely product-driven and we are not running out of ideas.”

Following his departure from Svendsen Sport, Maasbøl took seven months out and then spent time with a large premier apparel and furniture supplier which has 12 factories on three continents and 3,000 employees.

He later worked as a turnaround expert helping businesses that were experiencing severe problems.

His previous links with the Chairman of Fairpoint, – the main shareholder at Capidea – who he worked with briefly in the past, singled him out as a candidate to replace Jens Buhl Jorgensen, founder and CEO, who becomes Vice Chairman.

“Returning to fishing tackle industry, it was important that it was with an ownership that I believe in. When you are working in a mix of private equity and private shareholders you have to believe in the people that own the business and that is the case here.

“I am also delighted to be working alongside two of the co-founders, Thomas Petersen Eldor and Thomas Jespersen, as well as former colleague, now COO, Thomas Sanotra, and the rest of the talented Fairpoint Outdoors team.”