Black Diamond and SCARPA End Eighteen-Year
Alliance
July15, 2005 (Salt Lake City, Utah) - Black Diamond Equipment
Ltd., a global leader in climbing and backcountry gear, and SCARPA,
an international leader in mountain footwear, announced the termination
of their longtime working relationship at the end of 2005.
Peter Metcalf, CEO & Co-Founder of Black Diamond explains,
"Over the past eighteen years, Black Diamond together with
SCARPA have brought true innovation to the market and as a result
have dramatically evolved the sports we serve. We are immensely
proud of that." Metcalf continues, "At the same time,
the marketplace is evolving and both BD and SCARPA realize the
partnership that led to our past success is not the best path
for the future. Thus, we agreed to terminate amicably."
Andrea Parisotto, the new President of SCARPA North America,
Inc., comments, "We believe in the North American market
and hope to better recognize and serve their specific demands.
SCARPA will open SCARPA North America Inc. in Boulder, Colorado
effective immediately. Boulder's access to the mountains and
availability of industry veterans will complement SCARPA NA's
vision of
quality service and product design to meet NA's needs."
Chris Clark has been chosen as Sales and Marketing Manager for
SCARPA NA. Clark has extensive experience, including retail work
at Neptune Mountaineering and field and consulting experience
with Black Diamond and Backcountry Access.
The change will begin immediately with SCARPA NA assuming all
sales responsibilities for the Spring 2006 SCARPA line, which
will be shown at OR Summer Market August 2005. As always the
SCARPA booth will be directly adjacent to Black Diamond. For
Winter 2005/06 Black Diamond will continue to sell and service
the complete SCARPA line through the end of the ski season in
April, 2006. "Both parties have mutual respect for one another
and realize the importance of finishing strong in terms of backing
retailers and consumers," explains Metcalf. "Our commitment
to and service of the core market
remains our number one priority."
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