Cameron-Macpac talks

Businesswoman and Kathmandu founder Jan Cameron, who received a Queen's Birthday honour for philanthropy yesterday, is in talks with outdoor clothing and equipment maker Macpac about a joint venture.

A deal with Macpac would pit her against Kathmandu, which she founded and then sold for a reported $275 million in 2006. She had previously said she was looking to set up a chain of stores in New Zealand and Australia to compete with Kathmandu.

Cameron told the BusinessDay website she was now in talks with Macpac about a joint venture and this could be up and running by the New Year.

Mouton Noir bought Macpac from founder Bruce McIntyre in February 2008. Mouton's owners, Campbell Junor, Bernard Wicht and Pierre van Noorden, have past business associations with Cameron and bought Fairydown from her company Alp Sport last year.

BusinessDay said Junor confirmed talks with Cameron had started but were at a very early stage.

- NZPA