Black Diamond Equipment, a producer of climbing, skiing, mountain sports equipment and apparel, appointed Robert Fry as the company’s vice president – merchandising.
Fry will oversee all aspects of Black Diamond merchandising, including equipment and apparel for its global business units of climb, ski and mountain. His new role entails establishing seasonal product identities and helping drive thematic, aesthetic and technology initiatives related to product creation. Fry will also serve on Black Diamond’s management team and participate in executive-level management of the company.
“Robert is an intrinsic leader and a seasoned merchant who brings Black Diamond a host of attributes in product merchandising, design and development,” said John Walbrecht, president of Black Diamond Equipment. “He not only fulfills a key role in this position, but he will also be instrumental refining operations across our business and developing the next generation of innovative Black Diamond Equipment products.”
Fry previously worked at Mountain Hardwear, where he served as the global director of product merchandising and design and oversaw outerwear, sportswear, equipment and accessories. He also served on Mountain Hardwear’s Research Development Department across product categories, focusing on innovation, technology and merchandising strategies.
Prior to Mountain Hardwear, Fry worked as a senior product manager for the North Face (TNF). In that role, Fry managed global merchandising strategy and commercialization of its Summit Series product line. He served as both the consumer and industry facing voice of TNF’s Summit Series for web and print content and successfully instituted a brand elevating go-to-market strategy with technology suppliers such as Gore, Polartec and others. Prior to that, Fry worked as a senior product manager of outerwear for Simms Fishing Products.
“The opportunity to join Black Diamond is tremendous,” said Fry. “I am excited to collaborate with an extremely talented group of new colleagues and to continue Black Diamond’s legacy as the most innovative and core brand in the outdoor industry.”
Photo courtesy Black Diamond, Garret Grove
