North Face helps drive Q4 revenue rise, but Vans hit by China lockdowns
VF Corp reported a revenue increase of 9 percent to $2.8 billion (€2.65bn) in the fourth quarter of 2022, driven by The North Face (TNF), although sales at Vans were flat during the period. Sales were boosted by a 15 percent increase in the EMEA region and 12 percent in ...
Mammut appoints new CEO
The Swiss outdoor company Mammut Sports Group AG has appointed Heiko Schäfer as its new CEO, effective Sept. 1, 2022. For Schäfer, who previously served as chief operating officer of Hugo Boss AG, Mammut represents a return to the world of sporting goods. He worked in various leadership positions at ...
Full Circle Everest Expedition summits and sets a sign of diversity in climbing
Seven members of the all-black climber’s team of the Full Circle Everest Expedition reached the summit peak on May 12, 2022, roughly 60 years after the first U.S. citizen climbed Everest for the first time. The Full Circle Everest Expedition (counting eleven experienced climbers) set out to make history with ...
Mountain Equipment strengthens its team
After several years of double-digit growth, Mountain Equipment has added three new members to its brand team to consolidate and strengthen its market position.
Skylotec to establish charitable trust
In the year of its 75th anniversary, Skylotec, the German manufacturer of industrial and sports climbing as well as protective equipment, will establish a foundation for charitable purposes. The German family-owned company wants to support projects in areas such as youth development, education or environmental protection, and people in need. ...
Oberalp group publishes sustainability report 2021 and holds Virtual Convention
The Italian Oberalp Group, the owner of the Salewa, Dynafit, Wild Country, Pomoca, Evolv and LaMunt brands, has published its comprehensive sustainability report ”Contribute 2021”. Oberalp has identified ten of the 17 UN goals for sustainable development, from decent work and education to responsible consumption and an increased share of ...
Clarus' outdoor results impacted by supply chain, logistics
Clarus Corp. posted a 7 percent decline in first-quarter net income to $5.3 million from $5.67 million despite a 50 percent increase in revenues to $113.3 million from $75.3 million. Sales benefitted from contributions from acquisitions Rhino-Rack ($24.5m) and Maxtrax ($24.5m).
Zara launches outdoor collection for women
Zara, the main retail brand of Spanish fashion group Inditex, has introduced a new collection for women, designed especially for outdoor activities like climbing and cycling. The collection, which comprises 25 pieces of apparel and footwear, has been introduced globally in many markets, including Spain, the U.K., the U.S., France ...
Skylotec acquires parts of Dutch TAGS Group
On April 1, Skylotec, the German manufacturer of industrial and sports climbing as well as protective equipment, acquired individual product groups from the Dutch TAGS Group. The acquisition expands the product range in the Law Enforcement and Armed Forces (LEAF) segment. It makes the German family-owned company the world’s only ...
50 years after the sale of the brand, the Millet family has taken back the lead
Millet Mountain Group, formerly part of the Swiss Calida Group and owner of the brands Lafuma and Millet, has completed its acquisition by the new main shareholder Jean-Pierre Millet (grandson of the brand Millet’s founders) and Inspiring Sport Capital, a private equity fund specializing in the sports industry and business. ...
Foehn expands into mountain biking and running
Canadian outdoor brand Foehn, best known for its climbing apparel, has announced the launch of its SS22 collection, marking its debut in the running and mountain biking apparel categories. The collection comprises versatile pieces for men and women, including multi-use bottoms, tops, and outerwear. The company said that the items ...
Women’s Gear Award revises product submission criteria for 2022, excludes PFAS chemicals
As the Netherlands and Germany, with support from Norway, Denmark and Sweden are preparing a restriction proposal to cover a wide range of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) uses starting this summer, the Women’s Gear Award #sheisoutdoors will only accept submissions for its next round of awards (with entries closing ...
Calida finalizes sale of Millet
The Swiss Calida Group has finalized the sale of Millet Mountain Group on April 20, 2022. Jean-Pierre Millet, investor and grandson of Millet’s founder, and Inspiring Sport Capital, a private equity firm specializing in sports investments, have acquired the Millet Mountain Group with the Millet and Lafuma Outdoor brands, returning ...
EOCA launches three-part Earth Day fundraising campaign
On this year’s Earth Day (April 22, 2022), the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) is once again hosting an online fundraiser, accompanied by activities initialized by its members and the non-profit Outdoor Gear For Good (OGFG). With the money raised through these three initiatives, EOCA supports a number of conservation ...
Kahtoola achieves carbon neutrality
Kahtoola, an Arizona-based manufacturer of spikes, lightweight crampons, and gaiters for runners and climbers, has achieved carbon neutrality. In 2019, the brand, which announced its expansion into Europe in January 2021, began the process by working with the U.S. Outdoor Industry Association’s Climate Action Corps (CAC) to analyze its greenhouse ...
Schwan-Stabilo establishes outdoor subsidiary in Italy
As of April 1, 2022, mountain sports expert Ortovox is repositioning its presence in the Italian market with the opening of the new Schwan-Stabilo Outdoor Italia branch, based in Rancia near Bergamo. With Stefano Finazzi, the company is bringing an experienced industry expert on board as general manager. After 25 ...
Mountainsmith moves into new headquarters
Colorado-based company Mountainsmith has moved into its new headquarters downtown the city of Golden. The new location features an integrated showroom-style retail space but also hosts offices as well as sales and product design departments. The company has been located in Golden since its founding in 1979 but had its ...
La Sportiva opens first German mono-brand store
La Sportiva opened its first mono-brand store in Germany on March 20. The store is located in the municipality of Bubenreuth at Kurt Albert Strasse 1, inside the Blockhelden Frankenjura fitness club. The Frankenjura region is the largest climbing area in Germany and one of the top spots for sports ...
Arc’teryx market manager EMEA Reiner Kopf leaves the bird
Reiner Kopf, market manager Central EMEA at Arc’teryx, will leave the company by the end of March 2022 and plans a longer sabbatical. Kopf has 24 years of experience with the Canadian brand: After taking over the German distribution of Arc’teryx with his Munich-based sales agency Agentur Reiner Kopf in ...
Beal takes its Spanish distribution in house
As of April 1, Beal will be handling its own distribution in Spain from its headquarters in the French city of Vienne, CMDsport reports. According to the climbing brand’s sales director, Toni Morales, the objective is to pay closer attention to retailers and deal with them more personally. The change ...