Last week, BOSS reported that Dana Design will be relocating from K2 headquarters on Vashon Island, WA to Marmot headquarters in Santa Rosa, CA. Apparently the move was already well under way; BOSS caught up with Marmot’s marketing manager, John Cooley, who said that the move was virtually complete, and Zac West, Dana’s head designer and product manager was already working his magic in the Marmot offices.

Cooley said that the biggest upside for Dana in the move would be the focused outdoor specialty distribution that Marmot would provide. Marmot’s reps will be taking over the sales of Dana packs and travel gear, adding the brand to their existing lines.

Marmot will still produce its line of backpacks, but according to Cooley, the brands will be positioned in such a way that there will be no conflict. Marmot will focus on the smaller daypacks, ski packs, and lightweight alpine climbing packs that do not need heavy suspension systems. Dana will be more focused on the backpack, camping and travel markets, where the ability to carry heavy loads and innovative suspension systems are more important.

“Marmot has never produced, or been interested in producing, larger volume packs,” said Cooley. “Dana has its roots in the market. The Terraplane was a staple for backpackers for over a decade.”