Evolv, the southern California-based manufacturer of performance climbing footwear, announced today that it has bolstered both its wholesale sales and eCommerce departments and will move into a new office, retail and manufacturing facility as it looks to expand its global footprint in the urban and outdoor climbing communities.
After nearly five years with the company, industry veteran Jacob Jeffries has been named Evolv’s sales manager for North America, tasked with helping the company broaden its reach in the climbing industry. Jeffries joined Evolv in 2015 and has served in various positions, most recently in the rebuild of Evolv’s website and management of the Evolv eCommerce channel, in addition to Key Account and Dealer Service Management.
“We are in the midst of a paradigm shift in climbing — it’s no longer a fringe sport with limited access but part of the mainstream,” Jeffries said. “I am thrilled to be at the helm of the North America sales effort and further develop Evolv’s customer relationships and wholesale channels.”
Evolv also hired Colleen Kelly to serve as eCommerce Manager, the latest step in a career that has included stints with brands such as Helly Hansen, Hurley, Columbia, Patagonia, and Teva. Kelly has 12 years of experience in retail and eCommerce, and she’s also worked in the planning and buying departments across a wide spectrum of categories of the outdoor industry, including sailing, paddle sports, fishing, surfing, dive, fashion, and mountain lifestyle.
“I’m beyond excited to join Evolv and help grow their eCommerce presence, and I see a lot of potential,” said Kelly, who is an avid climber based in Bozeman, MT. “A great foundation has been laid down with a strong brand and a great team. Now is the time to communicate all the incredible things within Evolv to the wonderful climbing community.”
Evolv General Manager William Sinoff also announced that the company will move into a new location for its Orange County, CA-based headquarters in April. The new space will help the company consolidate its office, retail and resole manufacturing facilities into one verticle operation. The new facility in Tustin, CA is also better positioned for Evolv to thrive in the community with close proximity to the intersection of the 405 and I-5 freeways and the John Wayne airport, as well as Sender One Climbing, the biggest climbing gym in Orange County and Los Angeles.
Sinoff said that Evolv’s space will allow customers to not just shop for the company’s latest line of shoes and gear but also to interact with Evolv employees who are climbers themselves and can offer valuable insight and product recommendations.
“When you walk in you’re going to see all the elements that make this brand what it is — marketing, design, product development, and our resole facilities,” Sinoff said. “Of course you can shop for the latest products, but customers will really get a glimpse inside the brand.”
The move comes eight months after The Oberalp Group, which owns outdoor brands Salewa, Dynafit, Pomoca and Wild Country, acquired Evolv and pledged to invest in the brand’s growth in the U.S. and Canada markets.
“The Evolv brand was started in Los Angeles, and we’re reinvesting in the brand in Los Angeles,” Sinoff said. “The Oberalp Group bought a southern California rock-climbing shoe brand, and they’re investing in keeping that way. This move allows us to upgrade our facilities dramatically to handle what we see as a huge opportunity to scale the business.”
Photo courtesy Evolv
