Level Gloves has established a US based company, Level USA Inc, in Stowe, Vermont. The company was formed in July, 2004. Level is based in Sondrio, Italy, just minutes from the world famous resort of Bormio, sight of the 2005 World Alpine Ski Championships. Levels owners and management team are world class snowboarders and skiers who maintain a constant on-snow development and testing program.
Levels snowboard team manager, Jason Kimball, sheds light on the importance of the US company: “Level makes some of the most innovative hand wear in snowboarding so its been easy to assemble a killer pro team thats stoked on the product. Now with our own distribution company we can manage our retail expansion with similar success.”
Level products, previously distributed by Palmer Snowboards, can be found in nearly 300 specialty ski and snowboard shops across 30 states. US sales for 2004 have increased 43% over 2003. 85% of current sales are in snowboard gloves, but the companys largest growth segment is in freestyle skiing.
Level has recently become the #1 winter sport glove in Italy and enjoys broad success across all of Europe, where it is the 2nd leading manufacturer of snowboard gloves. Its top-selling Fly model features Biomex, a removable wrist guard that has been proven to reduce the risk of wrist injuries while snowboarding. Another Level innovation is Kirax technology, which stimulates the bodys reflex system for improved circulation and responsiveness. In its latest expansion Level has joined the Norwegian Ski Team Supplier Pool and immediately signed a majority of the vaunted team including World Cup contenders Axel Svindal and Hans Peter Buraas.
Level USA will focus on a youth based market position. As outlined by company president, Charlie Adams, “Level is focused on the younger, performance-minded snow rider. Level gloves are obviously different in attitude, style, and features. For us being different is not only good, its absolutely essential.”
Level USA management includes former Dynastar marketing VP, Charlie Adams (President), Bruce Bell (Operations Manager), and Pam Bates (Customer Service). The companys rider advisory board includes Bud Keene, head coach of the US Snowboard Team, Jason Kimball, team manager, and the Level pro teams.
