Mountech Receives Marmot’s 2011 ‘Distributor of the Year’ Award

Santa Rosa, CA: Mountech, a distributor of outdoor apparel, equipment and footwear headquartered in Moscow, Russia, recently received Marmot’s 2011 ‘Distributor of the Year’ award at the company’s international sales meeting. This new, annual award is given to Marmot’s top international distributor each spring for professionalism, excellence, and commitment to the brand.

Oleg Banar, a world-class mountaineer and renowned folk musician from Russia, initiated business relations with Marmot in 1994 and began distributing products in his country the same year. Banar later teamed-up with Alexander Demchenko, which led to the creation of Mountech in 1996. Today, Mountech is a widely-respected international distributor of outdoor products in Moscow, representing several leading North American brands.

Marmot has been developing international distribution channels since the early 1990’s and the partnership with Mountech has been an important part of that initiative. “At that time, there were significant obstacles and general difficulties of bringing product into Russia, but Oleg and his entrepreneurial spirit had the perseverance to see it through,” explains Randy Verniers, Marmot’s Director of International Sales, who oversees all international distribution outside Europe and Canada.

“Mountech has evolved into a world-class operation with distribution throughout Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan and operates six Marmot concept stores,” adds Verniers. “They are a great partner, with timely communication and feedback. Most importantly they are dedicated and passionate outdoor users that have demonstrated a strong commitment to the Marmot brand.”

Verniers oversees Marmot’s distribution in more than 30 countries—from Chile to Norway; China to New Zealand. Recently, Marmot opened distribution in Nepal and beginning fall, 2011 will open distribution in United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon and Jordan.

About Marmot Mountain, LLC
Marmot is an award-winning, globally distributed brand of high-performance, technical clothing, apparel and equipment. Since 1974, Marmot products have been worn by climbers, skiers, mountaineers and adventurers world-wide. Marmot works with professional mountain guides, world-class athletes and expeditions—pushing the limits of product innovation and technology—pioneering what is possible in the most extreme environments on earth. For more information, please visit www.marmot.com.

About Jarden Corporation
Jarden Corporation is a leading provider of niche consumer products. Jarden operates in three primary business segments through a number of well recognized brands, including: Outdoor Solutions: Abu Garcia®, Aero®, Berkley®, Campingaz® and Coleman®, ExOfficio®, Fenwick®, Gulp!®, K2®, Marker®, Marmot®, Mitchell®, Penn®, Rawlings®, Shakespeare®, Stearns®, Stren®, Trilene®, Völkl® and Zoot®; Consumer Solutions: Bionaire®, Crock-Pot®, FoodSaver®, Health o meter®, Holmes®, Mr. Coffee®, Oster®, Patton®, Rival®, Seal-a-Meal®, Sunbeam®, VillaWare® and White Mountain®; and Branded Consumables: Ball®, Bee®, Bicycle®, Billy Boy®, Crawford®, Diamond®, Dicon®, Fiona®, First Alert®, First Essentials®, Forster®, Hoyle®, Kerr®, Lehigh®, Leslie-Locke®, Lillo®, Loew Cornell®, Mapa®, NUK®, Pine Mountain®, Quickie®, Spontex® and Tigex®. Headquartered in Rye, N.Y., Jarden has over 24,000 employees worldwide. For more information, please visit www.jarden.com.