Black Diamond Equipment has integrated Franklin Climbing Equipment into the Black Diamond brand. With the integration, Black Diamond feels it can more efficiently build, develop and market specific, high-end bouldering gear. The shift will allow Black Diamond to hone its focus and efforts on fostering a complete climbing brand.

Chris Grover, Black Diamond National Sales Manager, is enthusiastic about the shift. “Bouldering is a central discipline in the climbing world, and Black Diamond is and always has been about all climbing disciplines. We view BD as an inclusive brand that appeals to all climbers, no matter what their discipline, and thus BD Bouldering will serve the former Franklin consumers.”

To increase Black Diamond Bouldering’s global and urban appeal, the company has turned to Switzerland-based Mike Tscharner and Tomas Hodel, both well known boulders and designers, to drive development of future bouldering products.