OGDEN — The misfortune of a longtime California-based camera bag business appears to be a major gain for one fledgling Ogden company serving the same niche.

Gura Gear, LLC, an Ogden-based manufacturer of high-end camera bags and other camera accessories, has agreed to acquire the brand and assets of Tamrac, Inc., a California company that has been making camera bags, packs and cases since 1977.

A U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Woodland Hills, Calif. approved the sale earlier this month through the Chapter 11, Section 363 Sale of Assets process. Tamrac entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in early 2014 after a 37-year history of developing carrying equipment for serious photographers.

According to court documents, Gura made a cash bid of $5.6 million at auction, winning the right to Tamrac’s assets.

Gura spokesman Braden Thompson said the acquisition won’t be finalized until late June, but when it is, the Ogden company will begin to expand its operations within the city. Thompson said Gura has been working with Ogden’s Business Development department to find office space for the additional workload that will come as a result of the acquisition.

Gura is currently located on 21st Street, just east of Wall Avenue, but company officials have been touring Ogden facilities like the American Can Building for potential working space.

Gura sells most of its goods online and directly to camera retail stores. The company’s products are shipped all over the globe and sold at specialty stores in locations as far away as South Africa and Hong Kong.

Thompson said Gura will move a number of Tamrac’s current employees to Ogden when the acquisition is final. According to the online business research engine, Findthebest.com, Tamrac employs approximately 200 people at their Chatsworth, Calif. headquarters.

Gura will also begin hiring for new positions, although Thompson said the total number of new employees that will be hired is yet to be determined. At the company’s website, www.guragear.com, there are five new positions being advertised in Ogden.

“This acquisition represents an exciting opportunity for Gura Gear to build upon a brand with a legacy of designing solutions for photographers and a dedicated customer following while leveraging worldwide distribution,” said Gura Gear President Gregory Schern in a press release. “We look forward to providing customers a high level of service and implementing solutions from a new perspective in a rapidly evolving industry.”

Ogden Business Recruitment and Relationship Manager Steve Fishburn said Gura’s acquisition and subsequent expansion fits will inside the city’s outdoor recreation business cluster and the company ultimately hopes to move all business operations to Ogden.

“Whether it’s (photography) for mountain climbing, kayaking or back packing, what (Gura) is doing is closely tied with outdoor recreational pursuits,” he said. “And Tamrac has been seen as a leader in this industry for years, so we want (Gura) to further that success and do it here in Ogden.”

Contact reporter Mitch Shaw at 801-625-4233 or mishaw@standard.net. Follow him on Twitter at @mitchshaw23.