Osprey Packs has formed Osprey Europe, Ltd., a subsidiary company soon to be located in the south of the UK. Osprey Europe will be entirely focused on developing the Osprey retail distribution, sales volume and image for the whole of Europe and contiguous countries. The subsidiary will begin addressing the market with F'04 preseason selling in January 2004, and assume all clinic and dealer service responsibility starting in March 2004. It is the intention of Osprey Europe to retain the existing sales agent and sub-distributor structure across Europe.
The principals of Osprey Europe, Ltd. are Rob Wylie and Hamish Ogilvie, both formerly of Bradshaw Taylor, Ltd., a UK-based distributor of several key outdoor brands. Rob assumes the role of Managing Director of Osprey Europe based in Poole, while Hamish will serve as European Sales Director located in Leeds.
“Creating a single-brand distributor focused exclusively on the growth of the Osprey brand in Europe is an important step in our independent future.” says Tom Barney, Osprey CEO. “We have a strong European business already and this move enhances our focus on European product and retailers. Similar to the unique move of having our founder and designer Mike Pfotenhauer living in Vietnam to oversee design and production, the creation of Osprey Europe promises attention to the European market not available to most smaller outdoor companies.”
Osprey Packs would like to extend special thanks to Bradshaw Taylor for the excellent development and support they have provided in Europe during the past three years.
