Edelrid North America, the newly established North American
distributorship for the global Edelrid brand, has hired Blair
Williams as director of sales and marketing and Paul Nanawa as director
of operations. Williams and Nanawa are both outdoor industry veterans
who bring extensive experience to their respective posts.

Most
recently, Williams worked as Edelrid’s North America Safety Distributor.
Prior to that, he was the sales director for Petzl America. In
addition, Williams is an accomplished climber with wide ranging
experience from big walls to alpinism.

“With first ascents in
Alaska, Patagonia, and the U.S. as well as a decade plus of industry
experience serving the sport and professional safety industries, Blair
not only mirrors the core of the most passionate climber, but also
brings a real-world and in-depth knowledge of the various markets and
channels we serve,” said Carsten von Birckhahn, brand manager for
Edelrid GmbH & Co.KG, the parent company to Edelrid North America.

Nanawa
joins Edelrid from SCARPA North America, where he was the sales operations manager. Prior to that he worked at Sierra Designs in dealer
services and sales. In addition, he brings retail experience from Bent
Gate Mountaineering and Marmot Mountain Works. Nanawa is an avid
climber, skier and trail runner.

“Finding talent like Paul was no
small task,” von Birckhahn, said. “As a climber and alpinist, Paul
brings a field-tested knowledge of our core products and understanding
of our customers’ needs. This, combined with his extensive customer
service and sales operations experience, make him the perfect fit to
lead as our Operations Director.”

Edelrid North America will
oversee sales, marketing and distribution for the Edelrid brand in the
U.S. and Canada. The company will be headquartered in a new facility in
the Bend, OR, area, a location that will keep the company close to its
roots in climbing. The business will have sport, safety and adventure
park business divisions.  

“The establishment of Edelrid North
America signals a new era in the company’s storied history and a
significant investment into the North American market that ultimately
will allow the brand to further its reach and better serve our dealers
and customers,” Williams said. “These are historic times at Edelrid, and
to be involved with a 152-year-old company that is still on the
forefront of innovation and technology is both a privilege and honor.”

Based
in Germany, where more than 60 percent of its production takes place,
Edelrid builds ropes, carabiners, climbing harnesses, helmets and a
variety of other climbing, recreation, safety and industrial gear. It
also leads the way in developing equipment with sustainability at the
forefront, including the first bluesign-certified rope and harness.

Founded
in 1863, Edelrid is one of the leading worldwide manufacturers and
distributors of ropes, climbing equipment and personal protective
equipment (PPE).