Kore Outdoor

Kore Outdoor is a Canadian paintball equipment manufacturer and distributor headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. Established in 2020 following the financial restructuring of GI Sportz, the company owns and operates several major paintball brands, including Empire Paintball, Tippmann, JT USA, Spyder and VForce.[1][2]

The company manufactures and distributes paintballs, paintball markers, protective goggles, loaders, clothing and accessories for recreational and competitive paintball. Its products are supplied to commercial playing fields, specialist retailers and distributors internationally.[2]

History

Origins

Kore Outdoor was established following the restructuring of GI Sportz, a Canadian paintball manufacturer founded in 2010.

Before the establishment of Kore, GI Sportz had expanded through several major acquisitions.

In December 2013, GI Sportz acquired Tippmann Sports, adding the longstanding American marker manufacturer to its equipment portfolio.[3]

On 24 July 2015, GI Sportz announced its acquisition of KEE Action Sports, which controlled brands including Empire, JT, Spyder and other established paintball equipment businesses.[4]

These acquisitions brought several major manufacturers and distributors under common ownership.

Establishment in 2020

On 15 October 2020, GI Sportz Inc. and its American affiliates entered receivership.

KSV Restructuring Inc. was appointed receiver to oversee the companies' property, assets and business operations.

On 22 October 2020, GI Sportz announced a proposed restructuring involving the sale of its business to a newly established company, Kore Outdoor Inc.[5]

The transaction was completed on 1 December 2020.

Kore Outdoor was initially owned by Fulcrum Capital Partners, the existing majority shareholder of GI Sportz, alongside members of the management team and Richmond Italia.

Billy Ceranski, previously president of GI Sportz, became chief executive officer of Kore Outdoor.

Paul Antoniadis was appointed senior vice president and chief financial officer, while Dave "Opie" Thomas continued as chief operating officer.[1]

The restructuring transferred GI Sportz's operating business and established brands to Kore Outdoor.

GI Sportz continued as a product brand within the new company rather than disappearing from the market.

European operations

On 8 December 2021, Kore Outdoor announced the acquisition of the British company GI Sportz Europe Limited.

The purchase was completed through Kore Outdoor Europe Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary.

The transaction consolidated ownership of the company's European operations.

Kore stated that its existing British operations and workforce would continue following the acquisition.[6]

Ironbridge Equity Partners

In August 2022, Canadian investment firm Ironbridge Equity Partners and Kore Outdoor's management acquired a controlling interest in the company from Fulcrum Capital Partners.

Ironbridge announced the transaction on 9 August, while Kore Outdoor issued its own completion announcement on 26 August.

At the time, Kore reported manufacturing facilities in Montreal and Fort Wayne, Indiana, with distribution operations serving customers in more than 70 countries.

Billy Ceranski continued as chief executive officer following the transaction.[7]

Expansion of manufacturing

On 28 February 2024, Kore Outdoor announced the reopening of the former Great American Paintball (GAP) manufacturing facility near Reno, Nevada.

The facility resumed the production and distribution of paintballs, complementing Kore's existing Canadian manufacturing operations.

The company identified GI Sportz, Empire, DXS and Dynasty among the paintball product ranges supported by the facility.[8]

In January 2026, Kore announced an original equipment manufacturing agreement with Contract Killer to develop and manufacture a three-tier range of paintballs.

The agreement involved the development of products to Contract Killer's specifications using Kore's manufacturing facilities and paintball production technology.[9]

Brands

Kore Outdoor operates several established paintball brands.

Brand	Principal products
GI Sportz	Paintballs and tournament equipment
Empire Paintball	Electronic markers, loaders, goggles, clothing and accessories
Tippmann	Recreational markers, rental equipment and accessories
JT USA	Protective goggles, clothing and accessories
Spyder	Recreational mechanical and electronic markers
VForce	Protective goggles and replacement lenses

These brands originated as separate businesses or product lines before becoming part of the GI Sportz and Kore Outdoor portfolios.[2]

Manufacturing and distribution

Kore Outdoor maintains manufacturing, warehousing and distribution operations in North America and Europe.

Its published facilities include paintball manufacturing in Montreal, Quebec, and equipment production, warehousing and technical support in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

The company also lists distribution centres in Canada, the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom.[10]

Kore supplies equipment to commercial paintball fields, retailers and individual customers.

The company also supports tournament teams and recreational paintball events through equipment sponsorship and distribution programmes.[2]

Leadership

As of October 2026, Kore Outdoor's published management information identifies Billy Ceranski as chief executive officer and Dave "Opie" Thomas as chief operating officer.

The company's leadership also includes personnel responsible for finance, sales, manufacturing and international distribution.[2]

Significance

Kore Outdoor represents a major stage in the consolidation of the paintball equipment industry.

Its formation preserved the operating businesses and established equipment brands assembled by GI Sportz during the 2010s.

The company brought together brands with histories extending to the early development of commercial paintball, while continuing to manufacture equipment for modern recreational and tournament competition.

Its manufacturing and distribution network connects paintball equipment production with commercial playing fields and retailers across multiple international markets.

References

External links