Retail news : Black Diamond Equipment Joins Grassroots Outdoor Alliance as a Vendor Partner

Asheville, NC, Nov 05, 2012 -

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance (Grassroots) is pleased to announce that Black Diamond Equipment has joined our organization as a Vendor Partner.

Black Diamond Equipment’s roots stem back to 1958 when Yvon Chouinard started Chouinard Equipment in Ventura, CA. on December 1, 1989, a group of former employees, led by current CEO Peter Metcalf bought the bankrupt assets of Chouinard Equipment to create the first employee-owned climbing company in the climbing industry official – Black Diamond Equipment was born.

Today, Black Diamond Equipment remains a company of users not only committed to the development of innovative climbing and skiing products, but to being a company that stands for the spirit of the sports they live and their values and goals.

When Black Diamond Equipment was founded in 1989, they made a commitment to make a difference on behalf of their fellow community users. Three of their ten founding commitments were and are:

• To champion the preservation and access to mountain, crag and canyon environments while minimizing their own environmental footprint.
• The style in which they accomplish their goals is as important as the goals themselves.
• Be a fierce but highly ethical competitor.

Brian Mecham, Director of North American Sales for Black Diamond Equipment shared his thoughts on becoming a vendor partner with Grassroots:  "Black Diamond Equipment is proud to become a vendor partner with the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance. The retailers that make up the group represent the vanguard of Outdoor Specialty Retail and have been great partners over the 24 years that Black Diamond has been in business. Black Diamond believes specialty retail is the cornerstone of the outdoor industry and by partnering with Grassroots we are able to provide a higher level of support and commitment. We look forward to working closely with the group and welcome their feedback on how we can be better partners, particularly as we move into new categories such as clothing." 

Roanne Miller, President of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, shares the organization and membership’s excitement about the partnership: “Black Diamond has remained committed to creating innovative products for consumers in our industry.  They have significantly contributes to growing the climbing and skiing categories and making them relevant to a greater number of outdoor enthusiasts today”.

“In addition, with the leadership of CEO Peter Metcalf and their entire staff, they have become a recognized voice for conservation, preservation and ethics in the outdoor industry. Obviously, Black Diamond shares many of the same goals as the retail members of Grassroots and we are proud to partner with their company.”

Black Diamond Equipment will be launching a new apparel line and participating in the Fall 2013 Grassroots Show scheduled to be held at the Stone Mountain Resort in Georgia, November 12-16, 2012.

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance has 42 members with nearly 90 retail locations across the United States. Grassroots unites independent outdoor retailers as a strong voice to protect and promote the experience of outdoor enthusiasts across the United States. To learn more about Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, visit our website at www.grassrootsoutdoors.com

Celebrating its 23^rd anniversary, Black Diamond Equipment is a manufacturer of equipment and clothing for climbing, skiing and mountain sports. By consistently building innovative, standard-setting products and actively preserving the mountain/canyon environment, Black Diamond Equipment has assumed a leadership role in the international outdoor community. For more information on Black Diamond Equipment, visit www.BlackDiamondEquipment.com

Roanne  Miller /  Grassroots Outdoor Alliance
roanne@grassrootsoutdoors.com / 435.645.0964