Stinger Buzz

The entire crew here at Honey Stinger is excited to pass along some big news!

Lance Armstrong Joins Honey Stinger Ownership Team
Seven-time Tour de France champion partners with natural foods company

April 28, 2010 (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) – Honey Stinger, the manufacturer of honey-based nutritional foods, announces a partnership with professional cyclist Lance Armstrong. In addition to future product development and endorsement of Honey Stinger energy gels, bars and organic chews, Armstrong becomes part of the ownership team in the Steamboat Springs-based company.

“I first tried Honey Stinger products during a mountain bike race in Colorado,” says Armstrong. “I was impressed with the great taste and energy they provided. Honey Stinger works for me in training and racing because you want to eat them and they work. I like the whole team – they understand what athletes need and they’re great to work with. I’m excited to be part of the Stinger team and work with them on expanding the products and business.”

Armstrong first met Len Zanni, Honey Stinger’s marketing director, when they teamed up to race the 12 Hours of Snowmass mountain bike race outside Aspen in 2008. The foundation for a new business partnership was hatched over the course of long bike rides and get-togethers with company leaders.

Bill Gamber, an athlete/ entrepreneur, teamed up with his father William, a honey industry veteran, Bob Stahl, a food product developer, and John Miller, a professional beekeeper, to found Honey Stinger in 2002. Today, the company produces over 20 honey-based energy products that are distributed internationally at specialty sporting goods retailers and natural food grocers.

“We’re thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to work with an athlete of Lance’s stature. Beyond his athletic achievements, Lance is an inspiration and a leader in the fight against cancer,” states Bill Gamber. “Our relationship with Lance comes at a time when Honey Stinger is riding a wave of momentum and this partnership is a major step for our brand.”

About Honey Stinger
Located in Steamboat Springs, Colo., Honey Stinger makes convenient, nutritious and great tasting honey-based foods including energy bars, gels and organic chews. Honey Stinger fuels some of the county’s top cyclists, runners, triathletes and teams including Tinker Juarez, Jeremiah Bishop, Katie Compton, the Giant Mountain Bike team and the Trek Livestrong U23 cycling team. The Colorado Office of Economic Development recently honored Honey Stinger as one of 50 “Colorado Companies to Watch.” Honey Stinger products are available at specialty sporting goods retailers, natural food grocers and www.honeystinger.com.

Honey Stinger was recently named a ‘Colorado Company To Watch’ award winner. Hosted by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade in partnership with the Edward Lowe Foundation, Colorado Companies to Watch attracted over 400 nominees, and Honey Stinger was named as one of 50 winners in the 2010 class.

“This award acknowledges the dedication and hard work of our staff in Steamboat Springs as well as the taste and benefits of our products,” says Honey Stinger co-founder, Bill Gamber. “Honey Stinger is buzzing with momentum right now and it’s a terrific honor to be recognized in this group of dynamic Colorado entrepreneurs and small business.”

For more info check out the complete article.

Many thanks to Honey Stinger employee and Team Honey Stinger/Trek rider Chris Tamucci for getting our new Honey Stinger website up and running!  We’ve got a whole new modern look that we think everyone will like a lot.  Take a few minutes and peruse our new digs!  Sting or BEE Stung

Honey Stinger products are now available to Trek bicycle retailers through Trek Distribution. Honey Stinger products are formulated for health-conscious individuals and athletes seeking a great tasting energy snack. Products available through Trek will include Honey Stinger energy gels, protein bars, energy bars and organic energy chews.

“Honey Stinger products have done extremely well in the IBD channel with tremendous sales growth over the past few years. We look forward to working directly with Trek Distribution to gain increased sales and visibility within their retail network,” said Bill Gamber, Honey Stinger co-founder. “Combine the sales potential of Trek Distribution with our support of the Trek Livestrong U23 Cycling Team and our Honey Stinger/ Trek race team and it’s a recipe for success.”

Retailers refueling in between test rides

Thanks to all-around great guys and Rocky Mountain territory Trek reps Larry Young and Chris Grande, members of our staff joined a large Trek retailer demo camp in Fruita, CO this week. Honey Stinger is now available to bike shops that carry Trek directly through their distribution network. The camp was a great place to meet retailers, talk about our products and ride some of Fruita’s finest singletrack. Our Organic Chews are rocking right now and all we heard from shop rats and buyers alike is how much they love ‘em.

Thanks to all the Trek folks in attendance for their hospitality!