Outdoor industry veterans Greg Schwarz & Chris Vahlkamp welcome Director Sarah Xu aboard to augment their unique full service company specializing in design, sourcing, packaging, and creative marketing strategies for private label programs.
Combining over 50 years of professional work experience, the management team of Schwarz, Vahlkamp, and Xu will capitalize on a trend towards even greater direct sourcing resulting from market pressures as well as demand for uniqueness at retail. With additional Contributing Partners – both U.S. and China based – the team has grown to over thirty individuals with wide-ranging design, graphic, quality control, and sourcing talent.
In a recent interview, Vahlkamp states; “The existing business climate demands higher retail operating margins, and compelling product to persuade consumers to return time and again to their favorite store. Unfortunately, few retailers have the internal infrastructure, resources, time, and expertise to execute a comprehensive private label sourcing plan.” Adds Schwarz, “Thats why Tectonic Outdoors is such a unique alternative. Were at the fore-front by providing a detailed market analysis with category recommendations. Then we deliver creative design and pricing options that complement the existing product mix at retail.”
Building on their extensive backgrounds in the employment of such brands as Cascade Designs, The North Face, Timberland Packs, Columbia Sportswear, L.L. Bean, Victorinox, and Outdoor Products, Schwarz, Vahlkamp, Xu and Contributing Partners have expanded into athletic footwear and apparel. Securing additional Contributing Partners, the firm now boasts their talents from jobs at Nike, Adidas, and Reebok. Tectonic Outdoors ventures confidently into this domain while expanding its client base.
