Both companies have been bought and will now be public. Clarus Corp, the parent company, plans to switch it's name to Black Diamond. Metcalf remains CEO. I wonder if the Gregory name will be done away with.

With this news, I think that the only mainstream independent gear company that still owns itself would be Patagonia.

Clarus Press Release


Black Diamond Press Release

Doesn't Osprey still own itself or are they under Cascade Designs?

You're right! Osprey IS an independently owned company and a sweet one at that.

Marmot is self owned still, as well as columbia sports is the company that owns mountain hardwear and montrail. Westcomb is still self owned. Patagonia shoes are made by merrell or wolverine, and Big Agnes is self owned still I believe as well. i could probably find more but I wont waste time. this is the second time Black diamond has been bought. it was originally something else till it filed for bankruptcy and the employees bought it.

Edited by rcowman on 05/10/2010 19:31:02 MDT.

Black Diamond was the hardgoods side of Chouinard. Chouinard sold it to employees (in '86?) after being the subject of numerous lawsuits.

Hard not to be cynical about the acquisition of a company. On the other hand, hard to argue against Metcalf as a CEO. We shall see!

And Gregory?! They're still in business?

This is not the first time Gregory has been bought out. Bianchi International bought it in the ‘80s and kept Wayne on as CEO. Bianchi did not devote much in the way of marketing and the company faltered somewhat. Gregory eventually bought it back for considerably less than what he sold it and worked out his pent-up frustrations with an aggressive advertising approach combined with quality to bring the company back and beyond.

Here is a photo of the new owner of Black Diamond and Gregory.

It's the "dude" on the right...HAHAHAHA

Edited by Mountainfitter on 05/10/2010 22:24:00 MDT.

On the right, or on the left?

Marmot is actually owned by Jarden, but that's somewhat hidden. At first glance, K2 owns Marmot, but Jarden owns K2. Jarden is a big company.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jarden

Columbia is now a publicly traded parent company of various outdoor brands.

You're right about Patagonia's footwear. I found a link http://www.wolverineworldwide.com/main_history.asp

You're also right about Big Agnes, but they're a very small company. Only 3 full time and 20 part time employees.

A little more info about Gregory's past ownership is at http://www.wildsnow.com/2989/black-diamond-equipment-to-go-public-and-merge-gregory-mountain-products/#comments


Funny picture!

It's the dude on the right. I found it under Google Images.

I think he is wearing an official James Bond watch. Who needs a watch with a built in compass when you can afford a watch with a built in laser cutter???

Edited by Mountainfitter on 05/10/2010 22:27:00 MDT.

LOL

Lawson, you inspired me. I googled the new Executive Chairman of the parent company of Black Diamond. What came up in a blog was: "Warren B. Kanders with his wife. This [individual's] company can't produce enough armor-upgraded humvees to keep the troops safe but has lobbied aggressively for an exclusive contract."

It's a story that I'd heard about from the media, and now I know who was responsible. The rant continues at this blog. Yay for corporate greed!

Edited by sharalds on 05/11/2010 15:10:41 MDT.

It's just a limited edition omega watch...
some more brands that are self owned

feathered friends

western mountaineering

Mont-bell?

Pacific outdoor equipment

granite gear

golite (I think only the shoes are owned by timberland)

Icebreaker is still owned by Jeremey moon too.

nvm golite is owned by timberland

Edited by rcowman on 05/10/2010 22:54:24 MDT.

I was talking about the "movie version" not the "limited edition".. You know the one that cut through the train floor.

sorry, they new bond films lack the lazer watch, and I haven't seen an old one in a while, he does look like a D-bag though

I saw that he was the owner of Armor Holdings Inc when I was looking him up.. Hes a Warmonger. He purchased Black Diamond and Gregory so he could supply to the military...

Edited by Mountainfitter on 05/10/2010 23:14:00 MDT.

"Warren B. Kanders with his wife. This [individual's] company can't produce enough armor-upgraded humvees to keep the troops safe but has lobbied aggressively for an exclusive contract."

Great. I guess this means that Black Diamond cams will now hold falls approximately half the time.

This blows.

Edited by sharalds on 05/11/2010 15:11:21 MDT.

Kanders looks a little [comment removed].

Edited by sharalds on 05/11/2010 15:12:18 MDT.

The Goat says that Osprey got acquired too.

http://thegoat.backcountry.com/2010/05/11/black-diamond-goes-public/