Nielsen Kellerman (NK) have been a mainstay of rowing for several decades. You would be hard pushed to visit a boat club without spotting one of their signature cox boxes. Led by former CEO Alix James, who drove the company forward for 15 years, NK became a household brand within the sport and have been responsible for a number of key innovations that keep athletes, coxes and coaches at the top of their respective games.
In late 2022, Alix handed over the reigns to Chuck Arkell, who had previously served as Chief Revenue Officer for the business. Chuck sat down with JRN to discuss the next chapter for continued NK innovation and growth.
How have your first few months leading NK been?
I am thrilled to be leading NK as the new CEO. Having previously served as the CRO and in other leadership positions, I was fortunate enough to have a strong understanding of the company’s operations, culture, and strategic direction before stepping into this role. This knowledge and the organization’s support made the transition a smooth one.
You joined the company in 2013. What have been some of the lessons you’ve learned that you’ll be bringing into your new role?
My time at the company has been incredibly fulfilling. I’ve had the opportunity to work in various leadership roles, including sales, management, and product development and overseeing different departments. The past several years have taught me the importance of adaptability — being open to change is critical in today’s economic and business environment. I’ve gained a deep appreciation for the importance of listening to customers and providing exceptional service. As the CEO, these lessons and experiences continue to drive the company’s growth, fostering a culture of innovation and delivering value to our customers.
As a private equity-backed business, how do you think about managing your value creation plan?
Improving operational efficiencies, pursuing new opportunities, expanding into new markets, and diversifying product portfolios to deliver sustainable growth while creating value for our customers and communities.
What will be the key foundations of that plan in 2023 and beyond?
As we look towards the future, the key foundations will continue to be centered around our customers, growth initiatives, and technology investments. We’ve got to keep building best-in-class products that solve our customers’ needs now while anticipating what’s next. Rowing remains a core business for us, and we are constantly exploring new opportunities to bring innovative products and solutions to the market.
What role has outgoing CEO Alix James played during the leadership transition?
We’re fortunate in that Alix is still with NK and is now serving as President, overseeing legal matters and mergers and acquisitions as we continue to grow. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work alongside such an experienced and talented leader, and I’m grateful for her insights.
Rowing is a sport that has long been affiliated with NK products. What is your growth strategy within rowing?
We see tremendous potential for the rowing market and will support our existing base while looking at expanding within rowing and paddling sports.
What do you think the key value-add is for NK in rowing? Is it innovation, reliability, product diversity etc?
NK is known for pioneering products and waterproof technology for rowing and paddling sports. However, I believe that NK’s key value-add is our relentless commitment to innovation and to customers. We have always been at the forefront of developing and implementing new technologies and design concepts that have redefined the rowing experience. Our innovative products have enabled athletes of all levels to improve their performance, and we are proud to have played a pivotal role in advancing the sport of rowing.
In addition, NK products are designed and manufactured to the highest quality standards, ensuring that they perform consistently and reliably under the most demanding conditions. Our customers can trust that when they use an NK product, they are using a product that will deliver the performance they expect.
How are you thinking about product strategy for the junior rowing market?
We understand that this generation of athletes is focused on how data can improve their training, performance, and overall experience. We are constantly improving our products to meet their needs to make data more accessible and convenient.
One example of how we keep juniors in mind with product improvements is the CoxBox® GPS. We have extended the battery life to 10+ hours, which is considerably longer than the previous model. This allows for more efficient sharing with the whole program and maximizes convenience – one club can run the CoxBox multiple times a day. We’ve also made improvements to the connector block, making it easier to service and repair, reducing downtime.
We are committed to meeting the evolving needs of the junior rowing market with innovative and reliable products now and in the future.
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