Partner Profile


Rudy Project: A Technically Cool Company


Interview by Lindsay Wyskowski


Eric Wynn


ince 1985, Rudy Project has been a thought leader in eyewear in the sport community. In the past decade, the company expanded its focus to include helmets, clothing and other products for endurance athletes. Rudy Project not only serves as the official eyewear of USA Triathlon but also other sport organizations, including the U.S. Ski Team, USA Rowing and USA Field Hockey, giving athlete needs top priority in product design and creation. Rudy Project North America President and co-founder Paul Craig took time to share the story of the company’s humble beginnings and philosophy.


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USA TRIATHLON: How did Rudy Project North America get its start?


PAUL CRAIG: I first got involved at Rudy Project when I was working at Ray-Ban as a product manager, and there were


some talks about this company — they were doing some really neat technical things. Ray-Ban entered into talks to see if they could acquire Rudy Project in the early 90s, but Rudy (Barbazza) was smart enough not to sell.


In 1996, I was hired at Bolle as the V.P. of marketing, and I approached Rudy again. I realized in doing my due diligence on Rudy Project that this was a very unique family company with some amazing concepts and ideas, really on the cutting edge. I realized I’d rather be working in any capacity with Rudy Project and that’s when we approached them.


Over the years, in Denver in my basement, I sort of had the Rudy Project Denver office, and in San Clemente we had these assets and warehouses and customer service to support the launching of Rudy Project in North America. One of the key


66 USA TRIATHLON FALL 2011


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