Granite Gear, Westcomb forge warehousing-shipping partnership

VANCOUVER, B.C., and TWO HARBORS, Minn. – Forging an innovative partnership between two independently owned outdoor brands that increases efficiencies for both, Westcomb Outerwear and Granite Gear recently agreed to warehouse and oversee dealer delivery for one another in the Canadian and U.S. markets.

The arrangement offers both companies a cost-conscious and efficient way to warehouse and ship from inside of their respective neighboring countries. Westcomb will warehouse and ship for Granite Gear in Canada. Granite Gear will do the same for Westcomb in the U.S. Beyond that, the two brands see efficiencies from a shipping perspective, because they share a large percentage of their retailer bases.

The partnership emerged out of like-minded company thinking, and a brainstorming session after Westcomb and Granite Gear spent a few days skiing together following the winter 2008 Outdoor Retailer show ultimately led to inking a deal.

“We think this is exactly what the industry should be about – the spirit of two like-minded companies working together and helping each other out,” said Jeff Knight, co-founder and president of Granite Gear.

Alan Yiu, founder of Westcomb, said: “Granite Gear and Westcomb have the same mindset in terms of innovation and not comprising on quality, and that makes us a very good fit for something like this.”

The companies will begin handling warehousing and shipping for one another starting with Fall 2008 deliveries.

For more information about Westcomb, visit www.westcomb.com or contact Dave Simpson at Base Camp Communications: dsimpson@basecampcom.com or (307) 734-7575.

For more information about Granite Gear, visit www.granitegear.com or contact Dan Cruikshank: dan@granitegear.com or (218) 834-6157 x10.

About Granite Gear

Founded in 1986, Granite Gear continues to express passion for innovation, quality, and durability in every product they offer. Granite Gear is renowned for their Backpacks, Packing Systems, Dog Gear, Trail Toys, and Canoe Packs. Granite Gear has been the recipient of many prestigious awards for product designs from Outside Magazine, Backpacker Magazine and the American Alpine Institute to name a few. Granite Gear’s creativity in design and testing of products takes place in Northeastern Minnesota.

About Westcomb

Based in Vancouver, B.C., Westcomb uses its ‘True Form’ design philosophy to create functional, uncomplicated gear of the highest quality workmanship. Each and every Westcomb piece is a product of precision thinking, thoughtful design, extensive development and constant refinement. The company, founded in 2004, partners with the world’s leading material innovators to engineer technically advanced gear constructed with the most cutting-edge materials available – often creating industry ‘firsts’ in the process. All Westcomb garments are designed and built in Vancouver. This design philosophy and experience has garnered the company international accolades, including a 2008 Backpacker Editors’ Choice Award, four APEX Design Awards from Polartec as well as an ISPO ‘Brand New’ award.

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