Black Diamond Equipment Ltd. has opened their new Asian operations in Zhuhai, China and the completed a multi-million dollar capital investment program in their Salt Lake City, Utah facilities and Basel, Switzerland offices.
Peter Metcalf, BDs President and CEO, comments that the investments, though bold, are logical and come at the right time for the company. “The opening of BD Asia is one component of an overarching global plan that strengthens our entire company. As Black Diamond nears the end of its fiscal year, were seeing North American growth of roughly 20% complemented by 20% growth in most pre-season categories for Fall 2007 while pan Asian growth is running over 25%.” Metcalf continues, “Opening our facility in Zhuhai will help BD emerge as a true global brand with an efficient manufacturing & logistics network and enhanced, tactical communication from the design process all the way through production.”
Located in Zhuhai, China, BD Asia is a Free Trade Zone Facility, and is situated near Hong Kong and industrial suppliers. The staff at BD Asia is currently comprised of 25 people, including long-time BD employees Ryan Gellert as Managing Director and Bill Reimann as Director of Operations. The staff will expand as operations ramp up to meet the increasing global demand for BDs products. The mission of Black Diamond (BD) Asia is to serve as a global distribution hub, support product design and development, assist in the sourcing of raw materials and Quality Assurance, augment manufacturing and support sales and marketing efforts throughout China.
The first climbing and backcountry skiing company to establish a full spectrum operational facility in China, BD remains committed to a “Made in Black Diamond” strategy, which capitalizes on employees skill sets and efficiencies in the United States, Europe and Asia to develop, build, and maintain in-house quality assurance and control in order to build the best gear available.
The Asian expansion completes a 24 month, multi-million dollar capital investment program that saw renovations and expansion of the Black Diamonds offices in Salt Lake City, Utah, as well as at BDs European headquarters in Basel, Switzerland. Further large investments included the acquisition and integration of UGS PLM software, which streamlines the management of product development and global manufacturing, as well as over a $1million in enhancements to the Salt Lake City manufacturing operations such as new machinery, automation equipment, new production lines and improved layouts.
