Recruiting one of the top names in climbing-footwear design to oversee its technical climbing program, SCARPA has hired Heinz Mariacher as its climbing line manager, effective immediately.

Mariacher, widely regarded in the climbing business thanks to 20 years spent developing many highly successful climbing shoe and boot lines, will oversee SCARPA’s climbing line, starting with new SCARPA products for spring and summer 2007.

In naming Mariacher to the post, SCARPA CEO Sandro Parisotto said: “With Heinz’s appointment, SCARPA’s goal is to increase its commitment to the climbing market. Climbing footwear is an integral part of our DNA, and that’s why we feel it’s necessary to concentrate greater attention and resources there.”

Parisotto added that SCARPA is extremely enthusiastic about having Mariacher lead its climbing research and design team.

“Heinz doesn’t need any introduction in the climbing world: His 20-year experience in research and development of climbing shoes and boots, his intimate knowledge of the sport and, above all, his love of the mountains clearly emphasize his value and confirm our choice,” Parisotto said.

Mariacher has already begun working with the SCARPA climbing research and design team on the spring-summer 2007 collection.

“After starting work with SCARPA, I was amazed by the ability and speed of the work group assigned to me,” Mariacher said. “I found a very professional approach at SCARPA as well as a true love and passion for making the best climbing footwear in the world – all factors that, together with my desire to take a new road in a different environment and with new companions, have contributed to a major change for me.

“In a market that is more and more saturated, the real challenge is to go further than the look – the aesthetic appearance,” he said. “The challenge is to create shoes with a soul that distinguishes them for quality, performance and comfort. Climbing is evolving; it’s becoming more athletic and demanding. To overcome new, exciting limits, the shoe is by far the most important piece of equipment. For me it’s an enormous satisfaction to be able to contribute to the research and development process that I believe will make its mark in this sport in the future.”