Industry: News
Edelrid backs retail training G
erman climbing brand Edelrid has said dealer training is one the ways to help retailers overcome lower sales volumes and
weakened consumer confidence during 2011. The company said training provides retailers with first-hand
experience of products, which translates to better knowledge and in turn helps secure sales. Edelrid recently supplied ropes, harnesses and quickdraws to 20 staff from outdoor retailer Ellis Brigham for use during a staff training event at Llanberis in North Wales. Edelrid UK sales manager Paul Craven said: “It gives retail staff an opportunity to try the latest gear for themselves. As we all know it’s far easier to speak with confidence about something, if you have used it first-hand. “Our logic is that the expertise of retailers has a large part to play in the consumer decision-making process; anything we can do to enhance the expertise of our retail partners, and have some fun at the same time, has got to be a good thing.”
Columbia claims Gore breaching European competition laws
C
olumbia Sportswear and its Italian subsidiary OutDry Technologies have filed a complaint with the Commission of the European Union against W. L. Gore & Associates, claiming Gore has violated European Union competition laws by ‘abusing its dominant position in the market for waterproof breathable membranes for footwear and gloves’.
Columbia and OutDry have claimed that Gore’s commercial practices are ‘exclusionary’ and have prevented manufacturers, brand owners and consumers access to other waterproof product innovations, such as those developed and marketed by Columbia and OutDry. The US Federal Trade Commission has recently issued a subpoena to Gore in connection with its own investigation into whether the company has “engaged in unfair methods of competition ‘by contracts, exclusionary practices, or other conduct related to waterproof or waterproof and breathable membranes or technologies and related products’.” Columbia and OutDry welcomed this news, with Peter Bragdon, Columbia’s senior vice president of
legal and corporate affairs, saying: “Columbia and OutDry Technologies have long been concerned that W. L. Gore & Associates’ commercial practices systematically prevent consumers, brand owners and manufacturers from gaining access to competing product innovations in waterproof breathable footwear and gloves.
“We believe Gore’s exclusionary conduct has deprived outdoor enthusiasts across the European Union, the United States and other regions throughout the world from learning about, experiencing and benefitting from new and innovative products.”
Gore has responded to the claims by saying they are unfounded. In a verbal statement, a Gore spokesperson said the allegations made by Columbia are 'without merit' and it has not been informed of any inquiry by the relevant European authorities.
The spokesperson added that Gore owns the rights to a number of intellectual properties and is looking forward to continuing to work with its long-term partners and customers.
Montane opens new showroom with SS2012 collection
M
ontane marked the opening of its new showroom by launching its spring/summer 2012 collection. The spring/summer 2012 collection is Montane’s largest to date and includes 80 new and updated products, including a comprehensive rucksack range (see Pack Focus, p20 for more backpacks) that ‘pushes the limits of lightweight innovation, yet without compromising comfort and durability’.
The launch at Montane’s new showroom in Staveley Mill Yard in the Lake District was attended by distributors, agents and representatives from as far afield as Japan, Peru and Germany. The showroom is fully booked with UK retailers viewing the collection throughout July, Montane said. Montane product manager Paul Cosgrove said: “This new showroom is a perfect arena for our UK sales team to present our clothing and rucksack ranges and we are really looking forward to welcoming our customers as we continue to grow Montane together.”
T
eva has supplied Santa Barbara Zoo with a special shoe for one of its penguins, which
was suffering with an impaired foot that inhibited its movement. Lucky the penguin was exhibiting a shuffling gait and was getting sores on his feet after putting pressure on the wrong parts, which vets at the US zoo were treating by wrapping and padding his heels. “We remembered that years ago, Teva had fashioned a special shoe for an elephant with foot issues in San Antonio,” said Santa Barbara Zoo chief executive officer Rich Block. “Teva’s headquarters is located just a few miles
from our zoo and we thought, if they can make a big elephant boot, they may be able to make a little penguin one.” Teva's design team measured Lucky’s leg and
foot and casts were made and worked to design a shoe that was lightweight, provided traction and easily shed water. There were several versions of the shoe, each
one improving on the previous version with different materials, waterproof fabrics and designs. The Teva team even worked with their suppliers on Lucky’s shoe, which features technologies used in Teva's footwear collection. For instance, an ion-mask nano-coating helps Lucky’s foot stay dry and a Spider Rubber + JStep steadies his footing as he goes in and out of the water. Teva has committed to providing shoes for
Lucky for his entire lifespan. The shoes are changed daily so they can be washed. Teva president Pete Worley said: “Our product team is experienced at collaborating with athletes, and while Lucky’s challenge was certainly unique to us, his needs were not dissimilar to those of any world class kayaker or trail runner. “We went through a bit more trial and error
due to the language barrier, but Lucky knew what he was looking for in performance footwear, and he let us know when we had it right. In Lucky, we found a new friend and the perfect Teva athlete.”
www.sgboutdoor.co.uk 5
Teva comes to penguin’s aid
©Nigel Shepherd Photography,2011
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