Nichene Outdoor

Nichene Outdoor
Categories: Ainslie

Nichene Outdoor is an Ahnslen sports equipment manufacturing company - specialising in adventure and recreation sports. It was founded in Kianara, at the base of the Wesland Ranges and its headquarters remain in the town. It has a significant presence in adventure sports - particularly trail running, hiking, skiing and snowboarding. It also produces related food and beverage products - such as energy gel and electrolyte drinks. Nichene has remained within the hands of the descendants of Roendavarian Prince Nichene Auladhris Felorthin-Iralethias, who was the founder of the company.

History
Nichene was founded in 1918, in Kianara - at the base of the Wesland Ranges. Prince Nichene, who the company is named after, had fled to Ainslie five years earlier to escape the fallout of the Roendavarian Republic which had deposed the monarchy in the early 20th Century. From the 1910s up to the 1940s, it was a relatively small company that produced products for hire and sale along the Wesland Ranges, the Derreten and the Blacken Valley. Over this time it had gained a cult following among Ahnslen adventurers. During the Imperial War, Nichene was restrained from sending funds or other products to Roendavar as part of the Active Neutrality policy.

Nichene’s obedience to this policy brought it dividends as the Ahnslen Army turned its attention to the adventure sports company. After the Imperial War, the Ahnslen Army awarded Nichene a contract to collaborate with other Ahnslen defence contractors in order to create kit for troops operating in alpine conditions - and to better design rations to allow for endurance expeditions for Ahnslen troops by foot. Throughout the late 20th century, after it received stable income from the Ahnslen Army, it also enjoyed increased popularity from the consumer market too. This popularity largely came from the booming trail running, cross country skiing and ultramarathon running scenes in Ainslie - which have remained as small though steady sports with close followings in the country. Since the 1990s, it expanded its reach internationally and has become a prominent brand in the trail running scene - sponsoring events and many of the athletes at the highest level of the sport. It has since expanded to become a major brand in the outdoor equipment and clothing scene, including in Najimam.

Products & Operations
Nichene offers an array of products for consumers, business and the defence sector. It is one of the largest providers of recreational sport equipment and related accessories. It is the largest company in this space in Ainslie - having nearly a monopoly over the country’s economy in that. It produces equipment such as skis, ski boots, snowboards, hiking poles, cold weather clothing, climbing axes, trail running shoes and a variety of backpacks and vests.

Nichene is chaired by Bec Hafferd, whilst Tristan Kerrega is the Chief Executive Officer who is responsible for the business’ core operations. Jessica Garine is the Chief Financial Officer. The company receives much of its profit from consumer sales, though it also enjoys lucrative niche defence contracts - often in consortiums. Nichene undergoes these activities within Ainslie but also much further afield. Nichene does not have many competitors in Ainslie, or in the international community at large.

Management
Nichene has never performed an initial public offering, largely because of the intent of the founder to never float the company - preferring it to keep it in the hands of his descendants and the employees of the company. Nichene has in house marketing, but commonly outsources legal support, and IT administration. Nichene has its own human resources and graphic design department - though it is rather small owing to the relatively small size of the company. The business has a traditional structure of employment and most of its workers are not unionised, rather they are under contract - this is with the exception of the limited amount of retail stuff they have in their stores which are covered under industrial award.

The business is fairly flexible and innovative, being highly receptive to a change in work patterns, with a period of volunteering leave made available to its employees and blended work options. Many employees of Nichene work from home, preferring to come into the office less than the expected five days a week. The business has an outstanding corporate culture, being a leader amongst Ahnslen businesses in worker satisfaction metrics. Turnover is relatively low as is the rate of accidents. Workplace disputes are fairly rare and when they do occur, they are fairly minor and dealt with in house. Virtually no cases enter the formal industrial dispute resolution system.

Compliance & Responsibility
Nichene is compliant with all relevant laws and regulations, especially the Corporations Act 2001 (UE). As part of its CASI tax obligations, it helps to fund an array of sporting competitions - and related journalism and media outlets that support the growth of the niche sports it helps provide equipment for. It also sponsors many ultrarunning and skiing events. It also complies with the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and has had no major disputes with the Ahnslen Competition and Consumer Commission, which it had become exposed to in 1989 when then-PM Condor corporatised the entity to prevent privatisation.

Nichene acts as an outstanding corporate citizen, being an ongoing and enthusiastic supporter of sustainable development, environmental protection and biodiversity initiatives. It is also firmly committed to sustainable supply chains and ensuring that its business activities do not unduly impede upon the environment. The business, as a result, largely has a quite small environmental footprint.