Black Diamond Equipment and SCARPA announced the termination of their longtime working relationship at the end of 2005.
Peter Metcalf, CEO & Co-Founder of Black Diamond explains, “Over the past eighteen years, Black Diamond together with SCARPA have brought true innovation to the market and as a result have dramatically evolved the sports we serve. We are immensely proud of that.” Metcalf continues, “At the same time, the marketplace is evolving and both BD and SCARPA realize the partnership that led to our past success is not the best path for the future. Thus, we agreed to terminate amicably.”
Andrea Parisotto, the new President of SCARPA North America, Inc., comments, “We believe in the North American market and hope to better recognize and serve their specific demands. SCARPA will open SCARPA North America Inc. in Boulder, Colorado effective immediately. Boulder's access to the mountains and availability of industry veterans will complement SCARPA NA's vision of quality service and product design to meet NA's needs.”
Chris Clark has been chosen as Sales and Marketing Manager for SCARPA NA. Clark has extensive experience, including retail work at Neptune Mountaineering and field and consulting experience with Black Diamond and Backcountry Access.
The change will begin immediately with SCARPA NA assuming all sales responsibilities for the Spring 2006 SCARPA line, which will be shown at OR Summer Market August 2005. As always the SCARPA booth will be directly adjacent to Black Diamond. For Winter 2005/06 Black Diamond will continue to sell and service the complete SCARPA line through the end of the ski season in April 2006. “Both parties have mutual respect for one another and realize the importance of finishing strong in terms of backing retailers and consumers,” explains Metcalf. “Our commitment to and service of the core market remains our number one priority.”
