Outdoor: Did you hear?…

>> Panoptx and L.L. Bean are loving the New York Times right now. In the June 8 Sunday Style page, the Times ran a Father’s Day gift story with the tag: “Even if the paterfamilias can’t find the Diaper Genie, Dad’s bound to appreciate a Father’s Day gift with maximum utility.” Inside, the paper promotes the L.L. Bean Wide-Mouth Excursion bag and the Panoptx Windless Eyewear — www.panoptx.com. To see the slide show related to the story online, click here.

>> The Fair Labor Association — www.fairlabor.org — has released a report detailing independent audits of seven major footwear and apparel companies operations including outdoor and sports companies Adidas-Salomon, Nike, Reebok and Eddie Bauer. The public report, which can be downloaded from the FLS website, describes compliance activities and efforts taken by participating companies to implement the FLC Code of Conduct, as well as noncompliance findings from monitoring visits and the efforts by the companies to come into compliance. The FLA only audits companies participating in the FLA.

>> Black Diamond Equipment has garnered three Editor’s Choice Awards for new products for the 2003 climbing season. The winners include the new Scarpa Marathon rock shoe and Black Diamond ATC-XP variable friction belay device — both recognized by Climbing Magazine editors, and a best value editor’s choice nod from Rock & Ice for the Scarpa Eclipse rock shoe.

>> Ladies, chillin’ after Summer Market has never been so easy. The Outdoor Industry Women’s Council (OIWC) has opened registration for its annual ChillFest camping trip in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Aug. 17-19. While indulging in the splendor of the Wasatch mountains, attendees can recharge after the trade show by hiking, rock climbing, fly-fishing and doing yoga, or getting a massage or pedicure. During the gathering, there will be an evening discussion on “Leading From Within — Feminine Models of Leadership,” facilitated by Margaret Hunt, former director of Naropa University’s Micro-Enterprise Training Program, full-time artist and personal coach. Fifty spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, click here. For more information, contact Maile Buker at mai_buker@hotmail.com.

>> U.S. marines in Iraq and Afghanistan will be sporting Manzella’s ThermaStat with Lycra gloves (TS-40) featuring its exclusive Control Dot palms. The Control Dot technology allows a soldier to firmly grip the gun barrel. According to the company, the “High dexterity and versatility combined with comfort create a glove option that is ideal for shooting, climbing, driving and in performing day-to-day duties in the field.”

>> London Fog Industries is separating the company’s three primary divisions — Pacific Trail, London Fog Trade and London Fog Factory Outlet Stores — into independently managed businesses. The new Pacific Trail Division will remain headquartered in Seattle and will include all of Pacific Trail’s current brands — Pacific Trail, Black Dot, Moonstone, Roffe (no longer an active brand), the Dockers licensed brand — as well as a number of Pacific Trail Factory Stores and the ownership of the London Fog trademark and management of its licensees. As CEO, Bill Dragon will continue to direct and oversee all operations of the business, while Gary Hansen will remain as president of Pacific Trail. Under the restructure, the London Fog Trade Division moves from Seattle to the east with offices in New York and Toronto, Canada. This division will become the responsibility of Richard McCaffery, where he’ll direct and manage the merchandising, design, marketing, sales and customer service operations. Headquartered in Fairfield, Conn., The London Fog Factory Outlet Store Division will be under the leadership of Christopher H. “Toby” Smith. The company currently has over 500 employees and operates 39 factory outlet stores throughout the country.

>> Rossignol has shifted several executive responsibilities, according to the company. Effective immediately, Steve Dudley, previously vice president for sales and marketing, is now in charge of marketing. Francois Goulet, president of Skis Rossignol Canada, is moving to Williston to become executive vice president of sales, overseeing all sales functions for North America. Goulet retains his title as president of Skis Rossignol Canada.

>> BackcountryStore.com — www.backcountrystore.com — has announced that the e-tailer has signed new marketing partnership agreements with Amazon.com and Yahoo!. The new Yahoo! relationship will establish BackcountryStore.com as a featured merchant on the site — Yahoo! reports it receives 10 million monthly visitors. According to BackcountryStore.com, the company has customized its relationship with Yahoo! to maximize the opportunity, including sending its feed listed in order of most popular pieces, so the best-selling items appear first in the search results. BackcountryStore.com’s relationship with Amazon.com positions the store as a featured merchant in Amazon.com’s new apparel store, selling core outdoor brands including The North Face, Oakley, Prana, Marmot, Patagonia, Lowa, Montrail and Salomon.

>> More changes afoot at Watermark. Chris Chadwick, director of sales for the company, has decided to leave after 19 years. Watermark President Jim Clark tells SNEWS a search is on for new sales leadership. “The company can benefit from new sales leadership taking our sales execution to the next level. We can be doing so many more things for our dealers to become better partners with them so we can help keep them profitable and viable,” Clark said. “All that requires a more progressive sales force for us.” Tom Hunston was part of the finance department relocating to the company headquarters in Arcata and has decided not to relocate from North Carolina. Jeff Peacock, who’s been with Yakima for 20 years, has decided to leave the finance team to pursue new opportunities. Clark told us that the company is currently searching for a new controller and has hired from within for a director of budgeting. Finally, Tom Moran, who came to the company from Precor a year and a half ago to rework the production department, is leaving to take a position in the fitness industry again with Johnson Health Tech in Madison, Wis. — the company that manufactures Vision, Matrix and Horizon Fitness. “He got an opportunity he simply could not turn down,” Clark told us.

>> Fernand Petzl passed away on June 1, 2003, at the age of 90. A memorial service was held on June 5 in St. Ismier, France. Fernand Petzl, the inspiration and founder of Petzl, was considered one of the greatest cavers of his generation, pioneering new caving techniques with fellow caver, Pierre Chevalier. Together, they explored the first 17 kilometers of the galleries of Dent de Crolles in France’s Massif de la Chartreuse, which today contains more than 60 kilometers of mapped caves, with many more yet to be discovered. The two men developed many of the vertical techniques that are still used today by cavers and climbers. 

>> James H. Moss, a nationally recognized industry expert in risk management and defense litigation for the outdoor recreation industry is presenting an Outdoor Recreation Risk Management seminar, Nov. 4-5, 2003, in Orem, Utah, as part of the International Conference on Outdoor Recreation and Education, sponsored by the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education at Utah Valley State College. This two-day seminar will concentrate on problems associated with running outdoor recreation programs and businesses. For more information or to register, call 801-626-7354 or email lzwaagstra@weber.edu

>> The American Hiking Society has announced the winners of this year’s Volunteer of the Year Awards. The awards, sponsored by Hi-Tec Sports USA, are given to individuals from all 50 states for their generous and unparalleled help in maintaining trails throughout the country. Winners were honored across the nation on National Trails Day and presented with a gift package that included a certificate for a pair of Hi-Tec boots, a “Volunteer of the Year” T-shirt and other schwag. For more information about the AHS Volunteer of the Year Awards, click here.

>> Caviro USA is now offering a National Geographic line of Buff products. In addition, Caviro USA, which oversees U.S. distribution of Buff products, has formed partnerships with three new distributors that will focus on the outdoor, action sports and promotional products markets. The new line of Buff headwear features wildlife, maps and cultural designs — as well as the recognizable National Geographic yellow border design and logo. The line was created through a partnership with National Geographic. The three new distributors join Buff USA, which already distributes Buff headwear in six western states, including California. The new distributors include: Adventure 16, which will distribute to outdoor specialty retailers and sell Buff headwear in all five Adventure 16 stores; High Gear LLC, which will distribute in the watersports and ski markets, as well as to emergency response agencies; and Buffalo Bay, which will distribute to the promotional products industry.

>> Grabber Performance Group, exclusive distributor of Grabber Mycoal Warmers, has promoted Steve Gingrich to marketing coordinator. Gingrich will be responsible for all aspects of marketing, advertising, sponsorship and promotions at Grabber.

>> Chris Chesak has decided to resign his position as corporate development director from the American Alpine Club to stay in Boise, Idaho, and “pursue my relationship with my girlfriend.” His departure notice is open-ended as he will assist the AAC in finding a replacement.