After tripling sales in 2002, HighGear once again exceeded projected growth in 2003 reporting sales up 256 percent from the previous calendar year. The young but fast-growing manufacturer and distributor of navigation and outdoor safety instruments attributes its success over the last twelve months to its focus on distribution channels outside the U.S. and entry into the outdoor wrist top market. All this in addition to the commitment to offering a highly innovative product line at extremely competitive prices continues to be the winning combination for HighGear.

“We’re extremely pleased with how the industry is embracing HighGear and recognizing the unique benefits our products offer,” says Mike Hosey, Managing Partner. “Our aggressive business goals and objectives will no doubt allow us to see even more success in 2004.”

With a strong foothold in the U.S. after four years since the company’s inception, HighGear made the decision to take its business overseas. In a year and a half, HighGear has added 11 international distributors who attribute to 18% of the company’s overall sales. These distributors are located in the following regions: United Kingdom/Ireland; Germany/Denmark/Netherlands; Australia; Italy/Switzerland; Taiwan; New Zealand; Japan; South Korea; Greece; Sweden; and Spain. Although selling similar products as in the U.S., the company is marketing the brand internationally under the name TechTrail to emphasize a point of differentiation.

Hosey predicts the international business will increase to 25% of overall sales in 2004 with additional expansion focused in Europe and Japan. “The European market is highly design-conscious, even more so than the U.S., which serves us very well,” says Hosey. “Our unique product designs coupled with competitive price points has made our entry into the international market extremely successful.”

HighGear successfully entered the wrist top market in 2003, which also contributed to the tremendous growth in sales.

In the last year and a half, HighGear products have been featured in publications including Newsweek, Outside, Backpacker, Wired, Maxim, Field & Stream, Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, National Geographic Adventure, Popular Science, LA Times, Fitness, and various trade publications.