I hope the new owner has a waist larger than 33". And likes padding on his back.

I'd be interested in knowing:

A short trip history. What trips stood out (good and bad). When did you start lightening the load?

What skills will this add to the company.

Will ULA be producing year around now?

What's their favorite piece of gear?

Favorite color?
Boxers or briefs?
Favorite food?
Top three favorite movies?

You'd think we were planning on interviewing him for the job ourselves.

well its kinda like that, its like a new teacher at a school. You dont really have a choice, but you still intera... question them as if you were :)

I am expecting an email back shortly (within the next few days)

-Jace

Tom, not sure what you're alluding to. My large waist belt on my Ohm is pulled almost as tight as it will go and my waist is right at 33". This leaves at least 12" of adjustment. As for padding, an optional pad is available for all packs. I just use a piece of cut ridgerest for mine. Works great.

As for the new ownership, I hope we can count on the same quality, built in the USA product.

> You'd think we were planning on interviewing him for the job ourselves.

No kidding. He's owned the business for almost not time at all and he already has to convey a message to the ultralight community!

"No kidding. He's owned the business for almost not time at all and he already has to convey a message to the ultralight community!"

Damn Right!

...and to think, some companies hire expensive Public Relations firms to get their message out to their customers and other interested groups!!!

FWIW, there are MANY interested folks over at the Hammock Forums who also love/use ULA packs and are concerned about the change in ownership.

Edited by Beep on 10/29/2009 11:27:46 MDT.

I just put up a post there as well about being free to put up questions there. I am Climberslacker

-Jace

" just put up a post there as well about being free to put up questions there. I am Climberslacker

-Jace"

Well done!

Folks-

Well, like always, the BPL community gets the scoop and pre-empts a more formal announcement! A more formal introduction/annoucement will be launched on the website shortly, but for the time being, let me address whats gone down...

To begin with, selling ULA was not a rash decision on my part. I've been pretty active in shopping it around the past 2 years and have taken steps since '07 to move in that direction...new website, new employees, sold my house and shop last year, etc. I did all this as transitional steps to present consumers with a "Brian-less" experience as well as create a working business that did not depend entirely on what was banging around between my ears.

More importantly, in my search for a buyer I have had ample time to find the right people to continue ULA in a positive and progressive direction...for consumers, for the community, and for my employees. While other interested parties wanted to move ULA offshore, out of town, or fold the company and adapt the product line to an existing line-up, Chris and Sally approached me with the desire to retain the spirit and character of ULA, while wanting to expand the product line and increase ULA's efficiency. That felt more true to what ULA is about, and a better reflection of what you all have influenced ULA to become over the years. Anyway, I could ramble on for awhile about all this, but on to the details!

1)Production will remain in Logan, Utah and will be up and running for a full 12 months each year. The employees who have been responsible for pumpin' out quality goods for the past 8 years are still here, doing what they do so well. We have also relocated the business to a larger production space...2,500 sq ft (pics comin' soon!), as well as brought in a full time production manager to oversee the production floor and shipping. More space means more organization, more space for finished goods, and more promptness in order fulfillment. Ultimately these changes mean an increase in ULA's ability to bring goods to market, and have the means to incorporate future designs into production more quickly and effectively.

2)The designs of ULA packs will be retained. All packs that ULA offered in '09 will remain unchanged in 2010. As for the future, ULA has a few prototypes waiting in the wings for release which I am sure you will all be interested in. Your thoughts and comments over the years have always played a role in what ULA does, and I hope you all continue to voice your opinions and suggestions directly. Lastly, for all the ladies out there, you'll be happy to hear that ULA now has an active and fit female (Sally)involved in ownership and she will no doubt have a better understanding as to your wants and needs than I have over the years! :)

Lastly, I've spent the last 2 months working directly with Chris and Sally with regard to design, production, and customer service. I am happy to report that they bring a fresh perspective to ULA as well as an energy that, honestly, I have struggled to maintain the past few years.

So, that's it. I hope that puts to rest any apprehension and addresses some of the points that you may be curious about.

Again, Chris and Sally will formally introduce themselves in a few weeks on the ULA website. Swing by, get to know them, and introduce yourselves...I know they will be excited to get to know you and get a sense as to how ULA can continue to help you have fun.

Be well,

Brian

thanks for the update brian.

best wishes for the future of ULA and for you!

i look forward to the trip report of your next crazy adventure.

Thanks, Brian, for the clarification!

Will you be involved at all in design (the comparison has been made to Glenn of Gossamer Gear) or are you moving on to completely new adventures? I'd hate to see your design expertise lost!

I hope your leg is doing better!

Best wishes for your future and for Chris and Sally's new venture!

EDIT--Will ULA continue the Amigo Pro water filter, which I notice has recently been deleted from the product list?

Edited by hikinggranny on 10/29/2009 17:32:57 MDT.

Sorry for pre-empting the announcment, I was curious! One more question is, with all of the new changes, how much will our opinions count relative to in the past? I know that you have taken this entire community and listened to us thoughtfully, a trend that I really hope will continue! And please dont change the colors!

-Jace

Good to hear from Brian.

If the '09 products are indeed unchanged for 2010, I wonder why many packs are up several ounces in weight when you add them to the cart. I wonder if this is a glitch or if they are indeed heavier. For example, the Ohm is listed at 21oz on the pack comparison pack, but now when you add it to your cart it shows it at 24oz.

It's a glitch. Casey responded in another thread about it and said they're working on getting it fixed but it was a programming issue they had to take up with the site developer.

Hey folks, it's really fantastic to see first hand what a dedicated fan base Brian has created for ULA, and be assured that Sally and I will continue to do everything we can to continue and further that relationship. At some point this weekend I'll go through these posts and answer questions that maybe Brian didn't touch on. In the meantime, I'll answer one of the questions, but I won't tell you which one. The answer is NONE Also, Jace if you sent me an email I didn't receive it My email is chris @ula-equipment

Should we call you Commando Chris from now on?

Thanks for coming on here Chris! I'm excited to see what you and Sally have in store for everyone!

Chris, I sent it thru the contact form, so but I guess it doesnt matter anymore :). I like that you are willing to talk with us... most people just think were crazy! And i'm just going to assume that that is how much you are going to charge me for my pack that im ordering saturday? Ok thanks!

-Jace

Great to hear from you Brian and congratulations on taking your next life adventure. I am also very appreciative that both myself and my family had the opportunity to meet you in person in Logan.

I hope that you stay reasonably close to ULA in the future as a consultant as your designs have encouraged so many to adopt a more lightweight lifestyle. In any event, don't be a stranger on these forums.