From left: Stephen Newlands, managing director, Steve Craig, commercial director and Glenn Andrews, product director
The company behind Vango, one of the best known tent brands, has changed hands in a management buyout.
Three directors have taken a controlling share in AMG Group, the Port Glasgow-based company that also owns the Force Ten and Lichfield brands.
Directors Stephen Newlands, Steve Craig and Glenn Andrews have taken over ownership of the company from the Moodie family, which has owned the firm for almost 50 years.
Sandy Moodie will remain a director of AMG and will retain a minority shareholding in the company.
He said: “Stephen, Steve and Glenn have been the driving force behind our business for many years. They have the energy and enthusiasm to take the business to new heights and it is fitting that they should benefit from their very significant contributions.”
AMG Services Division, which services and repairs all brands of tent and is the only business of its kind still left in the UK, is also included in the deal.
Managing director Stephen Newlands said: “We are all extremely excited to be taking over the reins at AMG.
“Innovation, service and commitment to our customers is at the heart of everything we do. We aim to make the great outdoors accessible to all, from family campers to extreme mountaineers.”
Mr Newlands is also chair of the Outdoor Industries Association which lobbies government and represents manufacturers and retailers operating in the billion-pound UK outdoor industry.
AMG also distributes Rossignol winter sports equipment, Asolo footwear, Trangia camping stoves, Wayfayrer camping foods and Fuel4, the innovative new, gel-based bio fuel.
AMG’s Vango brand, which also includes rucksacks and sleeping bags is an official manufacturer of recommended kit for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and is also working with the Scout Association to offer an approved range of products.
Mike Bell
07 March 2014Good news. I have never had a bad Vango product; 5 tents, cooksets, stoves, sleeping bags, some still going strong after many years.
william stewart
26 June 2014Hi again folks. Just checking if I had a reply to my email sent? Had some inbox trouble on ne computer. It was re a rucsac small strap repair.It is my Sherpa 40+8s.fantastic bag for my big walks.If it can b fixed up in Keighley,i can drop it in.Not a big repair, so I don't expect it will b expensive to put right. Sorry for mess up if you have already replied.Many thanks.William.
Bob
26 June 2014Grough is an online magazine. We're journalists; we don't repair gear.
Bob, editor
Margaret Lackey
17 August 2014I have a vango palena 600 dlx I have tried to get a front canopy with no avail. Can you tell me is this possible or is there an alternative that would fit we only got this tent last year and annoyed that we cannot get this canopy anywhere. Can help at all.
Await your reply
Margaret
Julie Hyland
10 November 2015I need to speak to a director or someone in charge of a Vango having major problems with the Vango illusion 800 and the extension that I also purchased at the same time.Only used it twice and on both occasions the tent has leaked quite considerably not having any luck sending the item back for repair or replacement we paid slot of money and have a tent that we cannot use I am not a happy customer at all can the director call me please.Regards mrs Julie Hyland .
Kevin Geiger
22 September 2020I will never order another product from this garbage company. Their customer service is crap. Why does it take three months for an order? Even shipping from Europe to the US doesn't take that long. I could have swam there, picked the item up in person and swam back in less time than it took for the company tell me for the third time it is held up in customs. BS!
Billy Manders.
02 April 2024Recently I purchased the fold away vango stove proved to out live the MSR pocket rocket stove. And also great vango lives on.
I once knew Sandy Moodie when he lived in Kilmacolm I did his garden !