National Paintball Supply

National Paintball Supply (NPS) was an American paintball equipment distributor and brand owner that became one of the industry's major wholesale suppliers during the 1990s and 2000s. Its principal New Jersey operation was developed by Eugenio Postorivo, commonly known as Gino Postorivo, from a business originally called South Jersey Paintball Supply.[1][2]

NPS distributed paintball markers, ammunition, protective equipment, clothing and accessories. Its portfolio included Empire Paintball, 32 Degrees Paintball, Diablo and products from numerous independent manufacturers.[2][3]

In November 2006, substantially all the operating assets of National Paintball Supply were sold and combined with those of Pursuit Marketing Inc. (PMI), forming the basis of KEE Action Sports.[4]

History

Origins

The National Paintball Supply name was originally associated with a business operated by Rick Fairbanks in Greenville, South Carolina.

In late 1989, Eugenio Postorivo established South Jersey Paintball Supply in Mantua, New Jersey, initially selling equipment from a small display area inside his family's pizzeria.

Postorivo purchased equipment from Fairbanks's National Paintball Supply business and rapidly became one of its largest dealers.

According to a historical interview published in Paintball 2Xtremes, Fairbanks subsequently invited Postorivo to operate under the name National Paintball Supply East.[1]

The New Jersey business expanded during the 1990s, developing its own distribution operations and product ranges.

Contemporary records from 2000 distinguish National Paintball Supply's New Jersey and South Carolina operations, confirming that both names were in use during this period.[5]

Expansion during the 1990s

Under Postorivo's management, National Paintball Supply developed an extensive wholesale distribution network.

The company supplied retail shops, commercial playing fields and tournament organisations with equipment from numerous manufacturers.

Its activities expanded beyond distribution to include proprietary equipment brands, paintball ammunition and tournament sponsorship.

The company's product portfolio included 32 Degrees, Diablo and equipment associated with Bob Long.

By the early 2000s, National Paintball Supply was operating distribution facilities across the United States, supplying both domestic and international customers.[2]

Paintball 2Xtremes

On 13 April 2000, National Paintball Supply New Jersey announced the acquisition of Paintball 2Xtremes magazine and associated paintball publishing businesses.

The company established Extreme Sport Publishing as a division responsible for the magazine.

Postorivo stated that the publication would provide industry news, product information and coverage of commercial playing fields, tournaments and other activities.

The acquisition represented an expansion of National Paintball Supply into specialist paintball media.[6]

The magazine subsequently developed an associated television programme broadcast on Spike TV.[2]

Diablo Direct alliance

In 2002, National Paintball Supply entered a major distribution agreement with Procaps and Diablo Direct.

The arrangement followed discussions concerning the Diablo trademark, which had previously been used by National Paintball Supply for a paintball marker.

Procaps had separately developed and marketed Diablo-branded paintballs.

At the February 2002 Mardi Gras Open, representatives of National Paintball Supply and Diablo Direct publicly announced that their trademark differences had been resolved and that they were negotiating a wider commercial arrangement.[7]

On 29 April 2002, the companies announced an alliance combining their distribution operations.

Under the agreement, the Diablo name returned to National Paintball Supply, while Procaps adopted the Draxxus name for its paintball ammunition range.

The combined distribution network operated from six locations in the United States and supplied equipment to retailers and commercial field operators.[8]

The arrangement also expanded National Paintball Supply's access to Draxxus paintballs and VForce protective equipment.

A company announcement dated 31 October 2002 identified 32 Degrees, Diablo, Draxxus, Empire, VForce and Bob Long among the product lines available through the network.[9]

Empire Paintball

During the early 2000s, National Paintball Supply developed Empire Paintball as a separate equipment brand.

The Empire name was first used commercially in 2002, according to United States trademark records.

By 2003, Empire was being promoted through dedicated trade-show facilities at major American tournaments.

Contemporary WARPIG coverage of the 2003 PSP Philadelphia Open identified Empire as a new National Paintball Supply product line.[10]

Empire subsequently developed electronic loaders, clothing, protective equipment and other products.

The brand remained part of National Paintball Supply's portfolio until the 2006 asset sale.

Tournament sponsorship

National Paintball Supply was a major sponsor of professional and amateur tournament paintball during the early 2000s.

Its activities included equipment sponsorships, tournament trade-show displays and agreements with regional competition organisations.

In 2003, NPS sponsored the Carolina Field Owners Association (CFOA) tournament series.

At the conclusion of that season, NPS chief operating officer Johnny Postorivo signed an agreement extending the company's sponsorship into 2004.[11]

In March 2004, the National Professional Paintball League announced National Paintball Supply as a Platinum Sponsor of its Super 7 World Series.

The agreement included promotional activities for NPS and Empire at the Huntington Beach tournament.[12]

Sale to KEE Action Sports

During 2006, National Paintball Supply experienced a downturn in its business and began negotiations for an asset sale.

An asset purchase agreement was initially signed on 29 September 2006.

The transaction closed on or about 17 November 2006, when Postorivo sold substantially all the company's operating assets to AJ Intermediate Holdings.

The purchaser established KEE Action Sports Holdings to combine the acquired NPS business with assets from Pursuit Marketing Inc., a competing paintball equipment distributor.[4]

The transaction transferred National Paintball Supply's distribution operations and associated business assets into the new organisation.

The original corporate entity retained certain excluded assets and liabilities and subsequently operated under the name PBS Holding Group.

The distinction between the sale of the operating business and the continued existence of its former corporate entity is documented in Delaware Court of Chancery proceedings.[4]

Following the transaction, Postorivo established Valken, a separate paintball equipment company, in 2008.[2]

Brands and distribution

National Paintball Supply supplied equipment through its own brands and distribution agreements with independent manufacturers.

Products and brands associated with its operations included:

Empire Paintball – Tournament clothing, loaders and other equipment.
32 Degrees Paintball – Markers, clothing, ammunition and accessories.
Diablo – Historical paintball marker and ammunition branding.
Draxxus – Paintball ammunition distributed through the Procaps alliance.
VForce – Protective goggles supplied through the Diablo Direct arrangement.
Bob Long Technologies – Paintball markers distributed through National's wholesale network.

National Paintball Supply also distributed equipment from manufacturers including Airgun Designs, Brass Eagle, Tippmann, Worr Game Products and WDP.[9]

Significance

National Paintball Supply contributed to the commercial expansion of the paintball industry through its national wholesale distribution network.

Its distribution arrangements connected manufacturers with retailers, playing fields and tournament operators across the United States.

The company also developed equipment brands that continued after the sale of its operating assets, particularly Empire Paintball.

The formation of KEE Action Sports in 2006 represented a significant consolidation of American paintball equipment distribution and manufacturing.

References

External links