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Black Diamond Equipment Ltd. Announces Expansion
Salt Lake City, UT, June 15, 2006 - Black Diamond Equipment Ltd., a world leader in climbing, skiing and backcountry equipment, announced today the opening of its new Asian operations in Zhuhai, China and the completion of a multi-million dollar capital investment program in the Salt Lake City, UT and Basel, Switzerland offices.
Peter Metcalf, Black Diamond's CEO, comments that investments are logical and come at the right time for the company. "The opening of BD Asia is one component of a global plan that strengthens our company. As BD nears the end of its fiscal year, we're seeing North American growth of around 20% complemented by 20% growth in most pre-season categories for Autumn 2007 while pan Asian growth is running over 25%." He continues, "Opening our facility in China will help us emerge as a true global brand with an efficient manufacturing & logistics network."
Located in Zhuhai, China, BD Asia is a Free Trade Zone Facility, and is situated near Hong Kong. The staff at BD Asia, including long-time BD employees Ryan Gellert as Managing Director and Bill Reimann as Director of Operations. The staff will expand as operations ramp up to meet the increasing global demand for BD's products. The mission of BD Asia is to serve as a global distribution hub, support product design and development, assist in the sourcing of raw materials and Quality Assurance, augment manufacturing and support sales and marketing efforts throughout China.
The first climbing and backcountry skiing company to establish an operational facility in China, BD remains committed to a "Made in Black Diamond" strategy, which capitalizes on employee skills and efficiencies in the US, Europe and Asia to develop, build, and maintain in-house quality assurance and control.
The China expansion completes a two-year, multi-million dollar investment program that saw renovations and expansion of the Black Diamond's offices in Salt Lake City, UT, as well as at BD's European headquarters in Switzerland. Further large investments included the acquisition of UGS PLM software, which streamlines the management of product development, as well as over a $1 million in enhancements to the Utah manufacturing operations.
Black Diamond Equipment Ltd. is an employee-owned manufacturer of equipment for climbing, alpinism and backcountry and freeheel skiing. By consistently building innovative products and actively preserving the mountain environment, BD has assumed a leadership role in the international outdoor community. For more information on Black Diamond visit www.blackdiamondequipment.com.
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