Pelican Appoints James “JC” Curleigh as Chief Executive Officer
TORRANCE--(September 12, 2023)—Pelican Products, Inc., a global leader in rugged, mission-critical protective cases, coolers, outdoor accessories, and temperature-controlled packaging, announced today the appointment of James “JC” Curleigh as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer. Curleigh brings a wealth of experience that will guide the company through its next phase of growth and innovation.
With over 30 years of experience in high-powered brands such as M&M Mars, Salomon Sports, TaylorMade Golf, Keen Footwear, Levi’s Apparel and most recently Gibson Guitars, Curleigh is well-equipped to help lead Pelican to new heights. His visionary leadership and ability to adapt to changing market dynamics align seamlessly with Pelican’s commitment to delivering exceptional products and experiences to its global customer base.
“JC brings deep consumer and commercial experience to Pelican, a brand that has built tremendous loyalty and is now ready for the next stage of growth,” said Brandon Crawley, interim CEO of Pelican and Managing Director at Platinum Equity, which acquired Pelican in 2021. “Pelican’s well-deserved reputation in protective cases lays the groundwork for development of a more diverse product set. JC is the right leader to continue to broaden Pelican’s reach and leverage its core strengths to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the industry.”
Curleigh’s expertise will play a pivotal role in advancing Pelican’s mission, leading the strategic direction, focusing on product innovation, driving customer engagement, and accelerating market expansion. As a forward-looking leader, JC aims to leverage emerging technologies and trends to keep Pelican at the forefront of the industry.
“The opportunity to lead another iconic brand confidently into the future is very exciting for me professionally and personally,” said Curleigh. “I look forward to leading the team to further unlock the potential of the Pelican brand with the right balance of insights, inspiration, and innovation.”
Randy Hetrick, veteran Navy SEAL Officer and Founder of TRX & OutFit, added “I have relied on Pelican products to protect our precious cargo as a Navy SEAL and I have been a big fan of JC’s leadership accomplishments at some of the world’s most iconic brands, so I am excited to see this powerful combination connect to shape the future of Pelican.”
About Pelican Products
Pelican Products, Inc. is the global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance protective cases, temperature-controlled packaging solutions, advanced portable lighting systems and rugged gear for professionals and outdoor enthusiasts. Their products are used by professionals in the most demanding markets including fire safety, law enforcement, defense / military, aerospace, life sciences, industrial, entertainment, and in numerous outdoor markets. Pelican™ products are designed and built to last a lifetime. The company operates in 27 countries, with 23 international sales offices and eleven manufacturing facilities around the globe. In Europe, the company does business under the name Peli Products, S.LU. and the division that manufactures temperature-controlled packaging for the healthcare industry does business worldwide under the brand Peli BioThermal. For more information, visit www.pelican.com.
