Masters Trekking Poles Expand into North America

Bend, Oregon — Masters, an iconic Italian manufacturer of world class trekking and ski poles, launches its first season of performance based trekking poles with a complete line of innovative models for late summer 2012 and spring 2013, expanding retail distribution into the U.S. market at specialty outdoor stores and better sporting goods.

With this announcement, Masters is positioned to create consumer demand by using high quality materials and proven technologies at affordable MSRPs ranging from $37 to $180. Plus, every product is 100% produced in Italy using a high technological approach dedicated to respecting the environmental impact. Thanks to sunny summers at the Italian factory, 555 solar panels are used to produce energy equal to 108.000,00 kWh per year and save tons of CO2.

Additionally, the coloring process used for Masters Poles is completely lead free.

“We are thrilled to launch the Masters brand at specialty outdoor retailers and servicing the entire performance line of trekking poles designed for extreme mountaineering, backpacking, hiking, Nordic (fitness) walking, and everything in between,” says Miles Munger, President of North American Distribution. “The time is right for Masters Trekking Poles to expand into the U.S. with a collection of 18 unique trekking poles using the latest advancements in lightweight technologies and materials combined with manufacturing ideals to push the industry forward.”

Internal company mantras include ‘Think Natural. Think Masters’ and ‘The environment is important to us all. Respect it!!!’

Just three of the many notable Masters Patented Technologies:

1. Super Blocking System (SBS) – Best in the market and ultimate safety for holding up an incredible amount of weight with a pair of poles using our experience and knowhow, realized by DuPont material tested to -50? C.

2. Kompressor Antishock – This system reduces weight without sacrificing durability, reducing all rebounds by a spring and is best activated when descending to feel the benefit of its unique feature.

3. CALU – Composed by a core of the highest strength aluminum and the most superb quality of woven carbon-composite. The end product out-performs full carbon poles in all aspects and it has the same weight. It combines the properties of the highest possible tensile strength with extremely high bending resistance against break (tensile strength test gave a result of 70 Kg/meter) ensuring a longer life time of the pole! The product is environmentally safe and free of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatics (PCA) as often found in carbon and carbon composites.

Masters will showcase its full line of trekking poles for North America at Outdoor Retailer Market in August (booth # PV317). The Expedition, Peak and Summit Collections are primed to compete for space in the outdoor specialty market and see action on U.S. soil as early as this summer.



About Masters

Established in 1977 by eclectic founder Renato Zaltron, as a manufacturer of accessories for pole components, Masters became one of the largest pole suppliers in the world by focusing on customer satisfaction, researching new materials, quality and durability of the product made in Italy, and a strong corporate social responsibility and respect for the environment. Today, the dynamic Italian company uses a high technological approach and is dedicated to its global business, currently producing about 600,000 pairs of poles annually and exporting to over 40 countries. Every product is crafted, hand-inspected and tested in Italy for perfection without neglecting the environmental impact. The company celebrates 35 years of enthusiasm & passion in 2012. For more information about Masters Trekking Poles in the United States, please contact us or visit the website at: www.mastersna.com.

North American Sales Contact

Miles Munger

541.389.9032

mpservices@mindspring.com