Who Owns Yakima?
Yakima is an American roof-rack and vehicle cargo brand owned by Kemflo International Co., Ltd., a private Taiwanese manufacturer. Founded in 1979 in Yakima, Washington, and now based in Beaverton, Oregon, the brand makes roof racks, cargo boxes, bike carriers, and truck accessories sold across North America, Australia, and Europe.
Parent Company
Acquired
2009
Status
Private
Headquarters
Yakima Timeline
Who Owns Yakima?
- Parent Company: Kemflo International Co., Ltd.
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2009
- Company Type: Privately Held
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Yakima | Kemflo International Co., Ltd. | Wholly owned |
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History of Yakima
- Founded: 1979
- Founders: Steve Cole, Don Banducci
- Acquired by Kemflo International Co., Ltd.: 2009
Steve Cole and Don Banducci founded Yakima in 1979 in the Washington town that gave the brand its name, initially making machine parts before pivoting to roof racks as outdoor recreation boomed. Early innovations, including aerodynamic crossbars and tower systems that fit virtually any roofline, made it a technical leader.
Ownership changed hands repeatedly through the growth years: outdoor conglomerate Watermark Investments bought the company in 2001 and folded it into a portfolio that included Sierra Designs. The 2004 acquisition of Goldenbear added cargo box manufacturing capability.
Kemflo International, the Taiwanese manufacturer that had supplied the rack industry, bought Yakima in 2009 in a vertical integration that gave the brand stable manufacturing backing. Under Kemflo, Yakima moved headquarters to the Portland suburb of Beaverton and expanded decisively into the truck market: HD bars, the OverHaul and OutPost truck rack systems, and bed racks for the overlanding boom.
The brand celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2019 and remains one of the two dominant names in North American roof racks alongside Thule.
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About Kemflo International Co., Ltd.
What does Kemflo International own?
Kemflo owns the Yakima Products brand and operates water filtration manufacturing businesses under the Kemflo name.
Is Kemflo International publicly traded?
No. Kemflo is a privately held Taiwanese company that does not disclose financials publicly.
Who founded Kemflo International?
The company was founded in Taiwan in 1973 and remains under private Taiwanese ownership.
Where is Kemflo International headquartered?
Taichung, Taiwan, with US operations run through Yakima's Beaverton, Oregon base.
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Who owns Kemflo International?
Private Taiwanese shareholders; the company is not publicly listed or private equity-backed in any disclosed structure.
Does Kemflo own Thule?
No. Kemflo owns Yakima, Thule's principal North American competitor. Thule is owned by Swedish-listed Thule Group AB.
- Founded: 1973
- Headquarters: Taichung, Taiwan
- Company Type: Privately Held
- Employees: approximately 2,000 (estimated)
Where Is Yakima Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Beaverton, Oregon, United States
Yakima Categories & Tags
Yakima Recalls & Controversies
Yakima has had periodic product recalls typical of vehicle accessories, including rack-component recalls filed with the NHTSA and CPSC for clamp and fitting failures. These are documented, remedied through free replacements, and have not escalated into brand-level scandal.
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Yakima Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Vertically integrated with parent manufacturing
- +Strong truck and overlanding product momentum
- +Premium brand equity built over four decades
- +US product development close to core customers
Considerations
- -Taiwanese ownership and manufacturing carries geopolitical exposure
- -Perennial second position behind Thule in key segments
- -Private parent means limited transparency
- -Premium pricing vulnerable to budget import brands
Frequently Asked Questions About Yakima
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Sources & Further Reading
Competitors to Yakima
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thule Group | Sweden | 1942 | Premium | Global | All Genders | |
| Clarus Corporation | Australia | 1992 | Premium | Asia pacific | All Genders | |
| Dometic | South Africa | 2000 | Premium | Global | All Genders | |
| Cbi Offroad | United States | 2014 | Premium | North america | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
AutomotiveThule
Owned by Thule Group AB
Swedish roof-rack and vehicle transport brand founded in 1942, the flagship of Nasdaq Stockholm-listed Thule Group AB.
roof-rackscargo-carriersbike-racks
AutomotiveRhino-Rack
Owned by Clarus Corporation
Australian roof-rack brand founded in 1992, part of Clarus Corporation's Adventure segment since 2021.
roof-rackscargo-carriers4wd-accessories
AutomotiveFront Runner
Owned by Dometic Group AB
South African vehicle-based adventure gear brand known for its modular Slimline II roof rack system and off-road accessories, owned by Dometic Group.
roof-racksoverlandingoff-road-accessories
AutomotivePrinsu Design
Owned by CBI Offroad Fabrication
Modular aluminum roof-rack brand founded in Utah in 2014, owned by CBI Offroad Fabrication since 2018.
roof-racksoverlanding4wd-accessories
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Yakima competes with 4 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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Independent Alternatives to Yakima
Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by Kemflo International Co., Ltd., giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.
AutomotiveThule
Owned by Thule Group AB
Swedish roof-rack and vehicle transport brand founded in 1942, the flagship of Nasdaq Stockholm-listed Thule Group AB.
roof-rackscargo-carriersbike-racks
Publicly Traded
Thule is owned by Thule Group AB, a public company, a different structure than Yakima's parent.
AutomotiveRhino-Rack
Owned by Clarus Corporation
Australian roof-rack brand founded in 1992, part of Clarus Corporation's Adventure segment since 2021.
roof-rackscargo-carriers4wd-accessories
Publicly Traded
Rhino-Rack is owned by Clarus Corporation, a public company, a different structure than Yakima's parent.
AutomotiveFront Runner
Owned by Dometic Group AB
South African vehicle-based adventure gear brand known for its modular Slimline II roof rack system and off-road accessories, owned by Dometic Group.
roof-racksoverlandingoff-road-accessories
Publicly Traded
Front Runner is owned by Dometic Group AB, a public company, a different structure than Yakima's parent.
AutomotiveGoodyear
Owned by The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Flagship premium tire brand of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, sold worldwide across consumer, commercial truck, aviation, and racing applications since 1898.
tiresautomotivepremium-tires
Publicly Traded
Goodyear operates independently without a large parent corporation.
AutomotiveRush Enterprises
Owned by Rush Enterprises
Largest network of commercial vehicle dealerships in North America, operating Peterbilt and International truck centers.
truck-dealershipcommercial-vehiclespeterbilt
Publicly Traded
Rush Enterprises operates independently without a large parent corporation.
AutomotiveARB
Owned by ARB Corporation Limited
Australian 4WD accessories brand founded in 1975, the flagship of ASX-listed ARB Corporation and global leader in off-road equipment.
4wd-accessoriesoff-roadbull-bars
Publicly Traded
ARB is owned by ARB Corporation Limited, a public company, a different structure than Yakima's parent.
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