Black Diamond Equipment has acquired the big wall climbing assets of Anker Climbing Equipment a manufacturer of portaledges and big wall necessities.
“We are thrilled to have come to an agreement with Conrad and to bring ACE into the Black Diamond family,” explains Peter Metcalf, CEO of Black Diamond. Metcalf continues “This move is primarily focused on building truly innovative products for the core wall climber and servicing this market. The origins of big wall climbing and BD are inseparably intertwined dating back to early 60s with removable chro-moly pitons, RURPs and the Yosemite Hammer. We see this acquisition as another example of Black Diamonds commitment to climbing in all its disciplines.”
Conrad Anker, who was BD Retails assistant manager for several years in the early 1990s, will re-join Black Diamond as a consultant/technical advisor through 2008. Anker comments, “This is the next logical progression for ACE in terms of partnering with the deep pool of engineering expertise, manufacturing and distribution resources that Black Diamond provides. I am excited to formalize, once again, our working relationship and contribute to the R&D process for years to come.”
Anker Climbing Equipment, LLC was created when Anker acquired the A5 Ledge assets from The North Face in 2002, and will continue to exist under Ankers ownership. Black Diamond will integrate manufacturing and marketing of current ACE products starting January 2006, displaying them at the Winter Market Outdoor Retailer and ISPO Shows respectively. Product delivery is expected by April 1, 2006.
Refinements of the big wall equipment line, utilizing design ideas that BD has been developing, are expected as ACE products are integrated into BDs existing wall category. Products will be warehoused in Black Diamonds Salt Lake City and Basel, Switzerland warehouses making them immediately available for climbers worldwide. Financial details of the acquisitions were not disclosed.
