Garmont North America will relocate its North American headquarters to the outdoor and footwear capitol of Portland, OR from Williston, VT.


Garmont is a global market leader in outdoor and snowsports footwear, known worldwide for pushing the limits of performance and design. Their  product line includes alpine, alpine touring and telemark ski boots; and outdoor footwear for mountaineering, backpacking, hiking and trail sports.


The goal of the relocation is to elevate the brands profile in the North American outdoor market, and to tap into Portland’s growing design, sourcing, marketing and sales expertise in outdoor and athletic products. 


Garmont is a vibrant and healthy company, with an unmatched historical reputation for both performance and innovation, said David Fee, president of Garmont. This move will reposition the brand in the North American market, elevating both the company and the product to a new level of success.

The move will begin immediately and will be completed prior to the end of 2011.


All Garmont N.A. operations will be relocated from Vermont, including their distributed brands of Bridgedale socks and Life-Link backcountry equipment.


Garmont is also announcing the promotion of Joshua Gibbs to vice president of sales and Patrick ONeil to chief operating officer. Both Gibbs and ONeil will relocate with Garmont to Portland.


Garmont will also retain its sales rep force, as it has one of the most experienced and effective sales teams in the outdoor industry.


This is an exciting new chapter for the Garmont brand, as the move will bring Garmont in closer contact with the outdoor market in ways that can best satisfy North American needs, said Achille Morlin, owner and president of Garmont SRL


Based in northern Italy, in the picturesque foothills of Volpago del Montello, Garmonts roots date back to 1867. For five generations, the Morlin family has designed and built technical boots inspired by the rocky terrain of the Dolomites.


The historic Garmont brand was relaunched in 1991 by Calzaturificio Morlin as a four-season technical footwear and ski boot brand. Garmont North America was founded in 1996.


Garmonts decision to relocate was an extensive, deliberate process, and included evaluation of several possible regions with similar character to the brands northern Italian base.


Portlands progressive business climate, proximity to footwear industry giants and innovators, and year-round access to world-class hiking, climbing and skiing destinations made it an ideal match.


Garmont is working with the Portland Development Commission to identify and implement the resources required for a successful transition.