Business news :Bergans of Norway Chosen as Supplier to SSL and SMC

Barely a year after being established as a wholly owned subsidiary in North America, Bergans USA LLC announced today it has been chosen as a supplier to two of the largest retailer buying groups in the snowsports industry.

Sports Specialists Ltd. (SSL) and Snowsports Merchandising Corp (SMC) will offer the brand to their 120 combined member businesses across nearly 300 storefronts in 30-plus states.

“I didn’t realize Bergans product line was so broad and deep,” said Cathy Walker, SSL softgoods merchandise manager. “What initially caught my eye was their technical wool pieces, and what I really liked was that they will help our specialty retailers stay special through a varied and unique product line.”

“SMC is proud to be partnered with Bergans of Norway,” said Chuck Camerlin, vice president of Snowsports Merchandising Corp. “Bergan’s long history of innovation and quality in Winter Sports is a perfect fit for SMC stores. They will be a great business partner.”

In January, European technical apparel and hardgoods company Bergans of Norway established Bergans USA as a wholly owned subsidiary. Since that time, Bergans USA CEO Patry “Pat” Loomis and Vice President of Sales and Marketing Keith Patterson have been broadening its product offerings and expanding its dealer base.

“Being chosen as a supplier to SSL and SMC is a great opportunity for us in North America,” said Patterson. “They both represent high quality retailers that fit with our technical outdoor brand.”

Bergans will be joining SSL and SMC at the Winter Sports Market show being held January 28-30, 2013 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado.

For more information about SSL, got to www.sportsspecialistsltd.com, or contact Steve Rogers at srogers@sportsspecialistsltd.com or 585.742.1010.

For more information about SMC, go to www.snowsportsmerchandising.com, or contact Tom Gately at tgately@sportsshops.com or 413.739.7331.

For more information about Bergans of Norway, go to www.bergans.com. For North American sales questions, contact Keith Patterson at keith.patterson@bergans.com.

About Sports Specialists Ltd.
Sports Specialists Ltd. (SSL) is a collection of the best specialty snowsports retailers in the U.S. Since 1971, SSL has been the leading marketing, merchandising and purchasing organization in the specialty ski, snowboard, outdoor, and casual furniture industries. SSL currently has 59 retail managements with over 140 outlets in 26 States and the District of Columbia. www.sportsspecialistsltd.com

About Snowsports Merchandising Corp
SMC is a buying group of 61 stockholder member businesses representing 154 storefronts nationwide. The member businesses primarily sell ski, snowboard and other snowsports-related equipment, apparel and accessories in specialty stores located throughout the United States. www.snowsportsmerchandising.com

About Bergans of Norway
Bergans was established in 1908, when Ole Ferdinand Bergan invented the first anatomical backpack. Today backpacks, functional outdoor clothing and tents are part of the portfolio of Bergans of Norway, as well as the ALLY brand of packable canoes. Adventurers such as South Pole conqueror Roald Amundsen, Mount Everest pioneer Sir Edmund Hillary, and Heroes of our time such as Polar explorers Rune Gjeldnes or Cecilie Skog trust Bergans equipment on their expeditions.

The headquarter of Bergans Fritid AS is situated in Hokksund, Norway, 60 km southwest of Oslo, where 90-plus employees work in development, research, design and sales. Bergans is a market leader in Norway and steadily growing in several export markets in Europe and North America (www.bergans.com).

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Bergans USA
Chip Smith, SOAR Communications, 801.656.0472 x1(wk) / 801.597.7515(cell), csmith@soarcomm.com
Beth Cochran, What's UP PR, 406.579.7909(cell), cochran@whatsuppr.com