K2 Sports' Dana Design backpack and travel bag division will relocate in November from Vashon Island, WA, and operate under Marmot Mountain, LLC. in Santa Rosa, CA. Dana Design and Marmot products will continue to be developed and marketed as separate brands.

K2 Inc., the parent company of K2 Sports, acquired Dana Design in 1996 and moved the brand from Bozeman, MT to Vashon Island in 2001. K2 Inc. acquired Marmot in 2004.

“Marmot’s outdoor specialty focus is ideal for Dana Design,” said Anthony DeRocco, K2 Sport’s Global Marketing Vice President. “Dana is one of the true heritage brands in the outdoor industry and it is a perfect fit with the Marmot organization. We believe that its association with the superb team at Marmot, combined with that organization’s strengths in marketing, outdoor specialty sales and sourcing, will serve to grow the brand in the years ahead.”

Zac West, Dana’s head designer and product manager, will continue in that capacity for the Dana brand. His focus will be on the development of industry reference level large volume and mid-volume back packs, day packs, multi-sport packs and travel bags. “I’m excited about Dana’s new home within the Marmot organization,” said West. “We have a great Dana collection in the design phase for the year ahead and it will only get better with the resources that Marmot brings to the project.

Mark Martin, Division President of Marmot, noted, “Since 1987, Dana products have helped build the specialty outdoor market with quality, reliable packs. The Terraplane is a classic and remains the favorite pack for many. Dana’s suspension technologies are innovative and highly respected and we look forward to the opportunity to drive the Dana Designs brand to new heights. Marmot can also hone and focus the back-office and production functions to improve Dana’s reliability and consistency. Everyone at Marmot is excited about having Dana Designs as a part of the Marmot organization.”