DMM, the UK-based climbing hardware manufacturer, recently appointed Mark Busby as VP of North American sales and marketing to lead its expansion into the North American market.

Busby was most recently with Scarpa North America, where he spent three years living in Boulder, CO, working as the climbing category manager, focusing on repositioning the rock shoe collection both within the brand, and ahead of the competition. A lifelong climber, Busby will split time between DMM’s factory headquarters in the UK and the new North American operation.

“We have full confidence in Mark Busby as our new leader for the brand in North America, a market which offers a huge opportunity for us,” said Richard Rust, CEO of DMM. “Mark is exceptional at creating mutually beneficial partnerships; he has a fantastic understanding of the North American climbing market and community, particularly coming from his very successful time at Scarpa North America and the experience and relationships he grew there.”

DMM is a craft manufacturer of climbing hardware with a heritage of 38 years. In Spring 2020, DMM will offer a refined range of climbing hardware, new branding and marketing collateral, and a strategic
package built for outdoor specialty retailers and experiential climbing gyms. The regional sales teams will be announced soon.

“It’s always been about product for me, and DMM’s climbing hardware has always been well respected by climbers all over the world,” Busby said. “I’m thrilled to be back in the community with this incredible opportunity and I look forward to growing a fantastic team who share my commitment to provide the best product and customer service. Together we intend to make DMM the go-to hardware brand partner for climbers. I hope our existing specialty and gym retailers will be very happy with our focused offering.”

DMM CEO Richard Rust adds, “A big thank you to Steve and Lisa, owners of Excalibur Distribution, for introducing DMM to the U.S. market 26 years ago, and working so hard to establish our American story since then.”

Excalibur will stop distribution of DMM at the endof 2019, but will continue representing their other brands.