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August 13, 2008

from Gregory Goes There by Dave

The great outdoors of Washington is calling!  For the fourth year in a row, Egan & Associates LLC on behalf of our vendors will sponsor TrailsFest 2008, Saturday July 19, 9am - 4pm at Rattlesnake Lake near North Bend east of Seattle.  This year, Gregory, Chaco, Teko and Ibex are all donating raffle prizes in support of the event.  All are cordially invited to stop by our booth and say hi to Dave, Jason, or Val if you're able to attend!

For more information on TrailsFest: (206) 625-1367 / http://www.wta.org.

TrailsFest is a hands-on event for all ages, providing families and other adventurers with a fun and safe environment to explore the outdoors.  This outdoor extravaganza is free and open to the public, and features clinics on everything from wilderness first aid to hiking with kids to backcountry cooking. More than 3000 + outdoor enthusiasts are expected to attend and visit dozens of exhibitors, including gear companies and outdoor groups. 

TrailsFest is presented every summer by Washington Trails Association. Sponsors for TrailsFest 2008 include Gregory, Chaco, Teko, Ibex, Hilleberg the Tentmaker, KPLU, Green Trails Maps, REI, CLIF Nectar, Outdoor Research,  Helly Hansen, Erin Baker's Wholesome Baked Goods, Freezer Bag Cooking, and Marmot Mountain Works. 
 

Egan & Associates LLC is very proud to support the efforts of the Outdoor Industry Association's (OIA) Eco Working Group.  Currently, we're the only sales rep agency participating as a voting member of the group and our very own Jackton Downard is serving on the Executive Committee (way to go Jackton!).  Jackton was there for the recent meeting -- see the article below -- and would be happy to talk details with anyone interested in learning more. 

OIA Eco Working Group Makes Strides Toward Industry Index

At a three-day OIA Eco Working Group meeting in Boulder last week, more than 90 participants representing over 50 brands started working on the framework for a manufacturing index that will determine how the industry measures its environmental footprint. The meeting marked the one-year anniversary for the working group. Over the past year, members donated countless hours to develop the group's mission and vision, benchmark other industries, research possible outcomes for the group and reach consensus to begin the process by developing an index. During the meeting, attendees split into groups representing apparel, footwear and equipment and began discussing how design, materials, toxins, waste and packaging determine a company's or a product's impact. Members of the Leather Working Group also provided valuable benchmarks with a progress report on their efforts to develop tannery standards, and Alex Boian, OIA director of trade policy, provided an overview of the political environment and sustainability opportunities on the horizon at the government level. Most of the hard work needed to create an index remains and the group will now narrow its focus in upcoming months to: Distill the notes from the meeting and narrow the definition of the index's framework. A smaller taskforce consisting of working group members will develop strawman frameworks for the group's comments. Hire a third-party convener before the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. This organization will manage the multi-year process of designing the index. Ensure that the process serves companies large and small, regardless of their resources. Identify packaging as a potential "quick win" and fast track development of packaging standards. The next Eco Working Group meeting will be August 10, 2008, from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Marriott Hotel, Salt Lake City. The group's efforts are entirely voluntary, and individuals interesting in reviewing the group's work or participating are invited to visit the Eco group website. At the beginning of the meeting, each attendee was tasked to have a take-away that they could provide to the first individual that they met on their way back home. "Our future just got a little brighter," summed up Greg Scott, of Mountain Equipment Co-op.

See it all up close here.

Gregory Mountain Products acquired in management-led purchase

New ownership comes simultaneously as outdoor industry-leading brand moves into new headquarters and new era in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO , Calif. (March 26, 2008) – In a management-led buyout, Gregory Mountain Products, the outdoor industry leader in backpack technology for more than 30 years, was purchased this week in a cash deal. Terms were not disclosed.

The new ownership, Gregory Mountain Products, LLC, was formed by partners John Simons, Gregory’s President for the last two years, along with investors Warren Kanders and Robert Schiller. They purchased the business from Bianchi International, a BAE Systems, Inc., company, which has owned Gregory since mid-2007, when it acquired Gregory’s then-parent company, Armor Holdings.

“The people involved in this effort bring a proven track record of building teams and helping companies succeed, and that’s what we plan to do at Gregory – give it the resources it needs to take things to the next level,” Simons said. “As well known as Gregory already is for building innovative suspension and packs that fit, I think it’s clear that Gregory has its best years ahead of it. We’ll continue to design, build and deliver packs that fit, are comfortable, are durable, and exceed our customers’ expectations.”

Moving forward, the most important mission for Gregory’s new ownership is building the company’s core, growing organically, and extending its brand position both internationally and domestically, Schiller said. “We also see Gregory as a platform from which we can grow. We’ll develop a solid team of professionals built on Gregory’s core values so that when opportunities arise to extend this platform into other parts of the outdoor industry, we’ll be well-positioned for them.”

Gregory’s purchase comes at a time in which the brand has introduced several new award-winning series of packs and as the company moves into a new global headquarters in downtown Sacramento. Gregory’s 2008 Baltoro 70 and Deva 60 packs this month won an Editors’ Choice Award from Backpacker Magazine. In 2007, its Z55 lightweight weekend pack won a Best of 2007 Award from National Geographic Adventure and was named ‘Top All-Around Weekend Pack’ by Backpacker. And in late 2006, its Response Suspension System won a Best of 2006 award from Popular Science for technological innovation in the recreation category.

Gregory was previously located in southern California, and the move to Sacramento was initiated because Gregory management identified the city’s values, proximity to outdoor activities and business community as a better match for the brand, and more suited to foster company culture, values and goals.

Wayne Gregory, who founded the company in San Diego in 1977, will remain in his role on the design team.

For more information about Gregory packs, visit www.gregorypacks.com or call 877.477.4292.

About Gregory Packs

Celebrating its 30^th anniversary in 2007, Gregory Packs has been the longtime leader in expedition, backpacking and day packs. Gregory is world-renowned for setting durability, comfort and performance standard in backpacks. In recent years, Gregory won awards for its pack designs from such diverse media outlets as Backpacker Magazine, Popular Science , National Geographic Adventure , Consumers Digest and Alpinist Magazine. Responsible for many industry firsts in backpacking fit and design, the Gregory research and design team, including company founder Wayne Gregory, continues to lead the way in innovative backpack technology and performance.

Download PDF here.