Loop Tackle, a Sweden-based manufacturer of fly-fishing equipment, has appointed Jim Coates as chief executive officer. (Photo courtesy of Cox Enterprises)
July 29, 2025
By Fly Fisherman Staff
Loop Tackle , a Sweden-based manufacturer of fly-fishing equipment, has appointed Jim Coates as chief executive officer. The transition comes amid Cox Enterprises’ broader push into sustainable businesses, having acquired Loop Tackle in late 2024.
Coates succeeds Gordon Sim, who led the company for over a decade and will assume the newly created role of Chief Conservation Officer. In his new role, Sim will focus on shaping long-term strategy and advancing Loop’s environmental initiatives.
“Jim has already demonstrated a passion for the business and a remarkable talent for innovation and new product development,” said Cox Enterprises CEO Alex Taylor. “He and Gordon will work well together.”
Coates joined Loop Tackle in 2024 as president and COO after holding senior roles at VELUX and working as a consultant focused on sustainable living environments. Loop’s recent launch of colored Classic reels and upcoming product lines signal ambitions to expand its market footprint, particularly in the United States.
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"I’m honored to lead a company whose heritage is so deeply rooted in environmental respect and outdoor passion," said Coates, in a press release. "We’ll continue to push boundaries in fly-fishing innovation while doubling down on our mission to protect the rivers and wild fish populations that inspire everything we do."
