Rob Dyrdek acquires DNA Distribution from Burton

20 year skateboarding veteran, television star and entrepreneur,Rob Dyrdekannounced Wednesday that he has acquired DNA Distribution which includes skateboarding brands Alien Workshop, Habitat and Reflex, from Burton.
The combination of Dyrdek's brand loyalty and financial strength, with the unparalleled design and quality of DNA's skateboarding products, will enhance the brands' ability to participate more aggressively in the growing skateboard industry.
Confirming the previous purchase buzz, Dyrdek has been in discussion with Burton and DNA Distribution throughout the last year. "It's hard to put into words what an amazing opportunity this is for me, I am extremely proud to now own the company that first sponsored me 20 years ago," stated Dyrdek, President of Dyrdek Enterprises. "DNA has truly amazing brands that have incredible growth potential, and I look forward to help guiding these brands over the next 20 years."
"It's been an honor to call DNA part of the Burton family for the past four years," statedJake Burton, Founder and CEO of Burton Snowboards. "And as we look to the future, I have no doubt that DNA is in extremely good hands given Rob's history with the brands and the sport. On behalf of everyone at Burton, we wish them all the best."
"We look forward for what's to come with Rob and DNA," saidChris Carter, General Manager and Co-Founder of DNA. "Rob has shown his dedication for the past 20 years and we are excited to continue to build the brands." Carter will continue to oversee DNA Distribution inDayton, Ohio, while Dyrdek will consult directly on all marketing and creative from hisLos Angelesbased office.
In conjunction with the purchase announcement, "Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory" will wrap up its fifth season onMonday April 23, 2012at 10/9c on MTV with a final episode featuring a comedic look at Rob purchasing the Alien Workshop and finding out that he in fact, actually has real alien DNA.
About Rob Drydek/Drydeck Interprises
Rob Dyrdekis a professional skateboarder, entrepreneur and television star based inLos Angeles. In 1999, Rob founded his privately held company Dyrdek Enterprises Inc. which currently holds multiple companies, entertainment brands and a non-profit organization known as the Rob Dyrdek Foundation, that seeks to build safe and legal skate plazas in communities around the world. Rob is known for his MTV television shows "Rob & Big," "Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory," and "Ridiculousness." He also has an animated series "Wild Grinders," based off of his childhood skate crew, on Nicktoons. In 2010, Rob created the first professional street skateboarding property, Street League Skateboarding that is televised on ESPN. Other Dyrdek Enterprises key holdings include IVI Vision, Rogue Status, Loud Mouth Burritos, Ditl and ISX technology.
About DNA Distribution
Dayton, Ohiobased DNA Distribution is one of the world's leading suppliers of skateboards and accessories. Originally founded in 1990 byChris CarterandMike Hill, Alien Workshop was the original DNA brand. The Workshop pushed all boundaries of skateboard aesthetic, thought, and design. The Sovereign Sect has grown to include two other brands: Habitat Skateboards and Reflex. Habitat was introduced in 1999 under the creative direction ofJoe Castrucci. The brand stands for skateboarding and eco-conscious design. Habitat offers a full line of skateboard equipment, softgoods, and accessories. Reflex offers a focused line of hardgoods that includes bearings, tools, trucks, and grip tape. In addition to their own brands, DNA also distributes all the leading brands of trucks, safety equipment and grip tape. DNA's brands are proud to support the world's best skateboarders.
About Burton
In 1977,Jake Burton Carpenterfounded Burton out of hisVermontbarn. Since then, Burton has fueled the growth of snowboarding worldwide through its groundbreaking product lines, its team of top snowboarders and its grassroots efforts to get the sport accepted at resorts. In 1996, Burton began growing its family of brands to include boardsports and apparel brands. Privately held and owned by Jake, Burton's headquarters are inBurlington, Vermontwith offices inCalifornia,Austria,JapanandAustralia. For more information, visitwww.burton.com.
Drydek Enterprises. 4.17.2012.