SCARPA North America hired Mark Busby this month to the newly created position of climbing category manager.
Originally from England, Busby brings more than a decade of experience working with climbing and outdoor brands in Europe. In the last 10 years, he has held the post of European sales director for Five Ten, and numerous sales and marketing positions at Bigstone, a UK-based agency representing Arc’teryx and Five Ten. He remains a dedicated and accomplished climber, a core requirement in fulfilling the role.
Working directly with renowned rock shoe designer Heinz Mariacher, who oversees design of SCARPA’s climbing line, Busby will direct all aspects of SCARPA’s focus on the climbing category in North America. He also will collaborate with Mariacher and the R+D team in Italy on global design, tailoring development to the needs of the U.S. and Canadian markets.
“Having Busby on the team will allow SCARPA a laser-like focus to climbing-specific sales and marketing efforts in North America “said Kim Miller, CEO of SCARPA North America. “We build the best products for climbing, skiing, alpinism, hiking, and a variety of different mountain sports. But in order to really accelerate the growth and intensify the momentum that has been building with SCARPA in rock climbing specifically the last few seasons, we really needed to dedicate focus and energy in that category with someone whose job it is to live and breathe rock climbing. We’ve found the right person for that role in Mark. His knowledge, skills and passion for the sport make him absolutely the perfect person for this job.”
Busby’s hire coincides with refinement of and new additions to SCARPA’s climbing collection. Spring 2016 sees SCARPA release four new rock shoes and three new approach shoes aimed at very specific categories within the sport. These models will be debuted at the upcoming Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City, Aug. 5-8.
Founded in 1938, SCARPA builds performance footwear for climbing, hiking, skiing, mountaineering, trail running and other outdoor pursuits from its headquarters in Asolo, Italy. SCARPA has been owned and operated by the Parisotto family since 1956. In 2005, SCARPA opened its North American headquarters in Boulder, Colorado, staffed and directed by veterans of the North American outdoor industry, to oversee sales, marketing and distribution in the U.S., Canada and South America.
SCARPA is an acronym for the Italian name “Società Calzaturiera solana Riunita Pedemontana Anonima,” which translate in English to “Associated Shoe Manufacturing Company of the Asolo Mountain Area.”
