Archives: Press Releases

ELKTON, Md. (November 21, 2023) – The GORE-TEX brand, synonymous with high-performance, durable technical fabrics, is taking the on-hill snowsports experience to new heights with the expansion of its Outerwear on Demand program to Killington and Jay Peak ski resorts in Vermont. This expansion marks the first time that the ski clothing rental program is available to consumers east of the Rocky Mountain region.

Outerwear On Demand is a stress-free ski and snowboard clothing rental program that makes it easier than ever to hit the slopes in great looking, highest performing jackets and pants—no packing, lugging, or splurging required. Since launching four years ago, Outerwear on Demand has built on its success with the rental program’s introduction across 13 resort and retail locations throughout North America. The program is poised to expand into Vermont’s vibrant winter sports communities that see nearly 4 million visitors during the ski season.

With the availability of Outerwear on Demand now in Vermont, it creates the perfect opportunity for those families and adventurers who are new to the sport and aren’t yet ready to invest in high-end gear as well as infrequent skiers and snowboarders who don’t go to the mountain often enough to warrant buying premium gear. Outerwear on Demand also offers streamlined convenience for travelers without compromising on the quality of technology while vacationing.

“As we launch this exciting partnership with both Killington and Jay Peak, we’re not just offering gear; we’re providing an unparalleled experience,” says David Newey, Market Development,- Outerwear On Demand,  W. L. Gore & Associates, Fabrics Division. “Our collaboration is about bringing convenience, performance and cutting-edge GORE-TEX product technology directly to the enthusiasts on the slopes. We are thrilled to partner with these premier destinations and work together to offer a new customer experience and an enhanced option for those new to snowsports or winter sports lovers looking for a better on-mountain experience.”

Crafted with GORE-TEX product technologies, each garment offers the GORE-TEX GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY™ promise, windproof protection, and superb breathability, all while delivering premier comfort, performance and style for various conditions. The GORE-TEX brand has stood at the pinnacle of outdoor durable performance, protecting snowsports recreationists and outdoor enthusiasts for years, setting the stage for the Outerwear on Demand program, assuring a hassle-free rental experience and providing ski and snowboard enthusiasts with the most technical garments on the mountain.

“Enjoying a day on the slopes begins and ends with being comfortable and adequately protected from the conditions, and we are thrilled to offer GORE-TEX Outerwear on Demand in conjunction with our other top-of-the-line rental equipment,” says Killington Director of Snow Sports, Dave Beckwith. “This rental program offers an unmatched apparel option at our resort and is the perfect solution for infrequent skiers and for travelers looking for convenience.”

For eco-conscious consumers, the Outerwear on Demand program presents an alternative option, offering skiers and snowboarders “usership” in addition to traditional “ownership.” This is made possible by the lasting durability of GORE-TEX products.

“Jay Peak is excited to partner with Outerwear on Demand this season as it is something that our guests have been asking about for years,” says Jaime Stenger, Director of Retail and Resort Programming for Jay Peak Resort. “Until now, we were not able to find a quality product offering that is as stylish as it is super hardwearing on the slopes. These GORE-TEX garments check all the boxes and the support program behind Outerwear On Demand is seamless.”

After each rental, Outerwear on Demand’s garments are subject to a thorough, multi-point professional inspection and then professionally cleaned. Once refreshed to the company’s high standards, the garments are returned to service for their next adventure.

“Renting with Outerwear on Demand delivers an unparalleled rental experience, comfort in any weather condition, and maximum enjoyment of winter pursuits with our renowned GORE-TEX product technology — all without the need to own or carry several pieces of gear,” explains Chris Brennan,  Outerwear On Demand Lead,  W. L. Gore & Associates,  Fabrics Division. “Our mission is to reach more consumers and provide greater access to an awesome GORE-TEX product experience, as well as offer Resort and Rental Partners a simple rental business solution designed to give their guests the quintessential GORE-TEX product experience.  We can do so by leveraging an exceptionally technical and resilient range of garments designed to endure the regular wear and rigorous cleaning of a premium garment rental program.”

For additional details about the program, please visit www.gore-tex.com/experience/rentals

About Gore

W. L. Gore & Associates is a global materials science company dedicated to transforming industries and improving lives. Since 1958, Gore has solved complex technical challenges in demanding environments — from outer space to the world’s highest peaks to the inner workings of the human body. With more than 12,000 Associates and a strong, team-oriented culture, Gore generates annual revenues of $4.5 billion. For more information, visit gore.com and gore-tex.com

 

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STOCKHOLM (November 20, 2023) – Houdini, the global circular outdoor company dedicated to versatile minimalist styles, today announced its Fall/Winter 2024 collection. Reinforcing its founding principle for doing more with less, the line showcases technical apparel choices that easily transition from the backcountry to an urban commute. Leading styles include The “Moonwalk”, a lightweight, technical collection of hybrid thermal layers, featuring Polartec^® Power Air™, and the expanded Dunfri (Swedish for down-free) insulated line.  All silhouettes are PFAS-free and use recycled, renewable, biodegradable and bluesign-certified materials. The Fall/Winter 2024 collection will be available September 2024 at select retailers and at www.houdinsportswear.com. 

 

“Fall/Winter 2024, inspired by our love and respect for the outdoors, presents smart apparel options for consumers so they may make better purchasing decisions minimizing the damage to the planet,” said Eva Karlsson, Houdini CEO. “It’s critical to lessen consumption by creating clothing that stands the test of time, which is why our design checklist is critical to what we do. We have to take action about the explosion in consumption. There are 100 billion garments produced every year, and 60 percent of that is discarded within the first year. That’s not value creation for anybody, not even the customer. We need to tackle this together.” 

 

The Moonwalk Collection, featuring Polartec Power Air, is designed for the perfect balance in what Houdini aims to achieve in active lifewear. Its hybrid construction provides warmth and protection without sacrificing breathability or quick dry times. It delivers freedom of movement while maintaining durability, longevity, and technical performance for a wide range of activities but with the beauty and wearability one expects from Houdini products. It includes a lightweight, technical fleece midlayers, vests and shorts. Built with a soft and comfortable stretch fleece combined with a durable but breathable ripstop wind-breaking fabric, the Moonwalk collection brings a new level of comfort to high pace activities in alpine environments. Specifically, the line includes the Moonwalk Houdi (MSRP $250), Moonwalk Vest (MSRP $160) and Moonwalk Shorts (MSRP $120).

 

The popular Dunfri family welcomes the Dunfri Parka (MSRP $400) and Dunfri Vest (MSRP $200). These light, packable, synthetic insulation garments feature PrimaLoft^® Gold insulation, providing warmth for the toughest conditions. The Dunfri family is rounded out by the Dunfri (MSRP $320), Dunfri Jacket (MSRP $220) and Double Dunfri (MSRP $480), the only style with PrimaLoft RISE for even greater warmth in challenging situations. PrimaLoft^® Insulation RISE has elevated warmth, style, and versatility. The unique construction of PrimaLoft RISE enables the insulation to perform across a variety of weights and thicknesses, enabling brands to create everything from oversized puffers to thin, lightweight pieces.

 

Filling the sweet spot between technical performance on the mountain and wearability in town, the Ride Jacket (MSRP $600) appeals to skiers and snowboarders looking for one shell to do it all. It is helmet compatible, has a removable snow skirt, with a clean aesthetic, a quiet hand, and highly waterproof, breathable face fabric. It is a breathable 3L shell jacket, made from a fully circular fabric and has a removable snow skirt.

 

The Rollercoaster line of fully featured freeride and ski touring shell garments remains a customer favorite and, for 2024, includes: the Rollercoaster Jacket (MSRP $700), Rollercoaster Pants (MSRP $550), and Rollercoaster Bib Pants (MSRP $650). The Fall In line has a full waterproof outer layer and is insulated with PrimaLoft Silver Insulation Hi-Loft Ultra in a classic long Parka (MSRP $780) and slightly shorter Jacket (MSRP $700) cuts. The Desoli collection has various weights of 100 percent merino wool base layers, while Houdini’s best-selling Power Houdi (MSRP $240) returns with a variety of new and classic colors. 

The ultralight, ultra technical Pace Flow pieces, featuring the mesh-like Polartec Power Air (MSRP: $200), adds another dimension of thermal capacity when worn as a mid-layer while providing unhindered breathability. Perfect for fast ascents, consumers won’t get overheated and the Pace Flow garments won’t weigh them down, whether worn or in a pack.

 

Known for solution-oriented accessories, the new Double Loop insulated infiniti scarf (MSRP $65), the Power Top Hat, a stretchy fleece hat made from Polartec Power Stretch® Pro™ (MSRP $40), and Alto Hat (MSRP $65) use Houdini’s best-in-class circular performance fabrics at approachable prices.

 

About Houdini

Houdini is an odd band of friends from Sweden on a quest to reimagine the future of circular sportswear. Ever since the start in 1993, Houdini has challenged the norms of the outdoor industry, as a company led by women, as innovators of sustainable design and as pioneers of circular business models. Ultimately, Houdini wants to enable and inspire people to reconnect to nature.

 

[SCRANTON, PA, November 20, 2023] Warroad Hockey Co., an innovator in cut-resistant hockey apparel co-founded by NHL All-Star TJ Oshie, today announces its strategic partnership with Noble Biomaterials, a global leader in antimicrobial technology solutions. Warroad and Noble are ramping up production to meet increased demand for Warroad’s TILO Baselayers, the most technical protective baselayer on the market.

Developed with the help of Warroad co-founder TJ Oshie, the TILO Pro Stock Neck and Wrist Top launched in September 2023 to provide players with 360-degree protection around the neck and forearms – two of the most exposed and vulnerable areas on the ice. The base layer features revolutionary cut-resistant technology, Noble’s Ionic+® silver antimicrobial technology with a micro-mesh fabric construction designed to prevent rashes and skin irritation.

TILO’s adjustable neck collar, made with Kevlar and protective foam, helps deflect and absorb the impact of skate blades, sticks, or elbows on players’ necks and clavicles. The built-in, cut-resistant wrist protection is made from flexible Cutlon® and is 15 times stronger than steel. Ionic+® antimicrobial silver technology is interwoven into the base layer, providing enhanced apparel protection against bacteria to reduce odor.

“Warroad has been on a mission to enhance the safety of hockey players across all levels since 2018,” said Jason Olden, co-founder at Warroad. “Cut-resistant protection will soon be something players wear every time they take the ice. Gear with such regular use needs exceptional antimicrobial performance, and that’s why we’ve partnered with Noble to ramp up production and continue to provide players with best-in-class protection.”

Noble Biomaterials specializes in developing advanced antimicrobial fabric solutions for healthcare infection prevention and apparel. Noble’s Ionic+® silver ions are permanently embedded into TILO’s fabric, inhibiting and eliminating growth of bacteria that cause odor.

“As a leader in antimicrobial technology, we’re excited to collaborate with Warroad to bring enhanced innovation to the TILO baselayer,” said Joel Furey, founder and chief commercial officer at Noble Biomaterials. “Our Ionic+® silver gives players advanced, long-lasting protection each time they take the ice, so they don’t have to worry about the impact of bacteria on their performance apparel.”

Warroad and Noble’s partnership comes when the demand for cut-resistant hockey protection is unprecedented. While TILO is trusted by NHL All-Stars including Brock Nelson, John Carlson, Josh Morrissey, Tom Wilson, and more, Warroad aims to give every level of the sport access to premium player safety.

Warroad’s TILO collection is available for purchase in Men’s, Women’s, and Youth sizes at www.warroad.com/collections/tilo.

About Warroad Hockey Co.

Warroad Original Hockey Co. designs and manufactures product for the performance, safety, and recovery of today’s hockey athlete, combining modern fit engineering and technical performance with the strong traditions of the game. Warroad collections get players to and from the rink and give comfort on the long bus rides and in airports. It is gear for the entire hockey journey…a journey filled with adversity and celebration…everything for the Warriors’ road. For Warroad, it is all about the love of hockey, the stories that become legends, the crazy players that become lifelong friends, and the game that shapes its players from a young age into the adults they are destined to become.

To learn more about Warroad’s TILO™ collection, please visit www.warroad.com/pages/tilo-technology.

About Noble Biomaterials, Inc.

Noble Biomaterials, Inc. is a global leader in antimicrobial and conductivity solutions for soft surface applications. The company produces advanced material technologies designed for mission-critical applications in the performance apparel, healthcare, industrial, and emerging wearable technology markets. Its flagship brands, IONIC+®, X-STATIC®, and CIRCUITEX®, are used by hundreds of world-class licensees to provide odor elimination, infection prevention/management, biometric monitoring, and conductive protection benefits. Noble Biomaterials is a registered FDA medical device facility, an essential sole-source technology supplier to the US military, and a US EPA–registered antimicrobial manufacturer. Noble products are EPA, FIFRA, BPR, and CE conforming.  Its headquarters and manufacturing facilities are in Scranton, PA, and the company has offices in Europe, Asia, and South America.

For more information on Noble Biomaterials and to view their full range of fabric applications, please visit www.noblebiomaterials.com.

 

 

 

SEATTLE (November 20, 2023) — Outdoor Research (OR), the Seattle-based manufacturer of leading outdoor apparel and gear, has recently promoted long-time employee Geoff Potter to VP of Operations. Geoff has worked in planning and operations for nearly 12 years. In his new role, he will oversee supply chain logistics, demand planning, retail operations, and information systems for the company.

This restructuring will optimize team alignment and facilitate enhancements in operations and infrastructure systems. The promotion acknowledges Potter’s pivotal role in elevating the brand’s presence over the years and underscores the importance of maintaining operational excellence ahead of ongoing growth.

“Geoff’s active involvement in the ongoing modernization of operations at OR reinforces his commitment to driving efficiencies at the company, and we are grateful to have him at the helm of our business operations,” Barton said. “He’s proven he’s the right person to help lead the OR team to even greater efficiencies.”

Potter said, “I’m grateful for the team I work with on the operations side of Outdoor Research and to be recognized with this new role. The business landscape is changing rapidly, and we are determined to stay ahead of the curve.”

Potter’s promotion comes on the heels of the company’s moves to shore up executive leadership. OR hired Felix del Toro in October as Senior Vice President of Product, and Chris King and Kat Schoewe were promoted to VP roles in marketing and product, respectively, in Spring 2023.

About Outdoor Research

Since 1981, Outdoor Research has created trusted apparel, accessories, and equipment for you to thrive outside. Our award-winning outdoor gear is meticulously researched and tested for outdoor enthusiasts and military users around the globe. Grounded in our values of curiosity, passion, innovation, collaboration, and community, we strive to create space for all in the outdoors. For more information, visit www.outdoorresearch.com.

 

 

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Portland, Ore., (Nov. 20, 2023) – Vimazi, inventor of the first-ever pace-tuned running shoes, announces today the release of the first-ever tuned walking shoe. The new Z90 will accompany the road and trail running shoes in the full Vimazi collection.

The Vimazi Z90 is biomechanically tuned for maximum comfort and minimum stress whether walking briskly, strolling or working out at the gym. The patented technology strikes the right balance of stiffness and comfort between heel and forefoot to reduce the stress and fatigue on the feet. The sock-style design, crafted with stretchy engineered mesh, makes the Z90 ridiculously comfortable and easy to slip on and off. A low drop, rocker, and flexibility make walking feel effortless.

Like all Vimazi shoes, the Z90 design is based on science. Compared to running, walking has much lower impact forces with less of a difference between forefoot forces and rearfoot forces. Therefore, it’s important to design walking shoes differently from running shoes. The shoes have a softer overall feel which improves comfort, because there is no flight time and associated sharp impact like there is with running. The difference between heel hardness and forefoot hardness is less, because walkers don’t have to propel themselves back up into the air. The Vimazi Z90 is designed according to the dynamics of walking to get the best balance of comfort and stability.

“We are excited to add a new walking shoe to our collection, because it appeals to a massive audience,” said Vimazi founder and CEO, Scott Tucker. “Our brand’s foundation is on making shoes to include everyone and every pace so we knew we had to make a walking shoe, because when you’re not running, you’re walking.”

Vimazi pace-tuned shoes are available now online and at specialty-run stores across the US. More information can be found on Vimazi’s website vimazi.com. Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Vimazi

Founded by footwear industry veterans and life-long marathoners, Vimazi shoes are engineered to reduce shock and increase stability,  because they balance the different forces underfoot in walking and running.  The patented FastPod technology is derived from the pure  physics of motion.  For additional information, please visit vimazi.com or email faster@vimazi.com.

PARK CITY, Utah (November 16, 2023) – As Dynastar celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2023, the famed brand, which is headquartered at the base of Mont Blanc in the French Alps, has its sights set on simultaneously continuing to lead the way forward in high-end ski performance while carving a more sustainable path forward for itself and for the ski industry.

New for Fall/Winter 23-24, Dynastar’s Hybrid Core 2.0 ski construction is a key part of its sustainability journey. Hybrid Core 2.0 improves on the benchmark skiability that has cemented Dynastar’s reputation while reducing environmental impact across six key indicators: environmental acidification, greenhouse gas emissions, fresh water use, particulate matter, material and mineral use and fossil fuel consumption.

A life cycle analysis conducted by AIR Coop, a global network of brands that was founded to help inform and improve the social and environmental impact of production, showed that the main contributor to environmental impact was material consumption during the ski-production process. To reduce the quantity of environmentally unfriendly materials in the ski while improving the brand’s unique skiability, Dynastar developed a new wood layer design (placed in three directions instead of just one: longitudinally, vertically, and transversally), which replaces the mechanical properties provided by composite materials such as glued fiberglass.

The result: a significant reduction in all six aforementioned environmental indicators that will help reduce emissions by a total of 120 tons from the production of skis while maintaining equivalent or improved performance on the slopes. As a result of Hybrid Core 2.0’s development, 45 percent of Dynastar’s annual volumes will be eco-designed by the winter of 2025-2026.

“The mountains that inspire our passions and occupy our leisure time are suffering directly from global warming. And it is not just our own playground but the entire natural ecosystem that is threatened. In our view, there is no future for skiing unless it is conceived of in a more responsible way. It is our duty to find solutions to reduce our industry’s impact on the environment,” said Laurent Richard, Brand Manager at Dynastar. “With Hybrid Core 2.0, a door is opening into the world of eco-design, which will be at the heart of all our future product plans. We still have a long way to go and there are many hurdles to overcome. Our teams will not give up and we will continue working to make our activity more sustainable.”

For the 2023-2024 winter season, the Hybrid Core 2.0 technology will be integrated into the M-CROSS, E-CROSS, M-TOUR and E-TOUR ranges, representing 13 percent of total production, rising to 23 percent by the winter of 2024-2025. In three years, the brand’s objective is to achieve almost 45 percent eco-designed production of annual volumes. The skis will be manufactured in the heart of the Alps, in the historic site of Sallanches.

Dynastar and the Rossignol Group will continue to place their environmental and social commitments at the heart of all its major strategic initiatives. To learn more, please visit Dynastar.com

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About Dynastar

Founded at the heart of the Chamonix valley in 1963, Dynastar is a multi-segment ski manufacturer catering to all skiers looking for high-performance and French expertise. Its production facility is located in Sallanches, at the foot of Mont Blanc. Stamped with its “Made in France” seal, Dynastar’s history is also marked by remarkable technological innovations and the sporting victories of its iconic champions.

About the Rossignol Group

Headed by Vincent Wauters, the Rossignol Group designs, manufactures, and markets a broad range of mountain sports equipment and apparel. The Group and its brands provide a continuous year-round experience to their consumers, accompanying elite-level athletes to amateurs in every moment of sporting effort and leisure, from the mountains to the city, winter to summer. Located in the French Alps near Grenoble, the Group’s global headquarters houses a strong portfolio of innovative, complementary brands including: Rossignol, Dynastar, Lange, Look, Kerma, and Risport. Each has their own storied history and has built their own unique identity, drawing their inspiration from the mountains. Rossignol Group has been majority owned by Nordic Private Equity fund Altor, since 2013.

GROUP ROSSIGNOL: 1413 Center Drive – PO Box 981060 – Park City, UT 84098 – T. 435-252-3300 – F. 435-252-3301

 

 

 

SALT LAKE CITY (Nov. 17, 2023) — DPS Skis, the U.S.-based ski manufacturer pairing aerospace carbon technology with groundbreaking shapes, announces a partnership with KOHLA, the Austrian brand specializing in mountain sports equipment. DPS will be the exclusive North American distributor for KOHLA and will be offering the brand’s climbing skins, backpacks, and climbing skin accessories starting November of 2023.

“KOHLA has been a dominant global climbing skin brand but has had very limited distribution in the US and Canada. With the brand’s premium technology and unwavering quality reputation, we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to grow KOHLA’s distribution and broaden the value that we offer to our dealers and customers,” says Thomas Laakso, senior vice president at DPS Skis and PHANTOM Glide. “KOHLA’s climbing skins are best-in-class and align with our brand ethos and will be a perfect companion to the DPS lineup of touring skis.”

KOHLA was founded in 1932 in Innsbruck, Austria by Max Kohla and is still a family run business. KOHLA has always specialized in gear for mountain sports, with an emphasis on backcountry skiing and snowboarding, and is currently the world’s largest manufacturer of climbing skins. All of KOHLA’s products are field tested near the brand’s headquarters in Austria’s Stubai Alps.

“Kohla has been a family-run Austrian mountaineering company since its start in 1932,” says Thomas Span, CEO of Ibex Sportartikel which runs Kohla. “Our heart and soul are in the mountains and we share with DPS a respect for those mountains as well as a passion for snow sports. It’s obvious to us that we have found in DPS Skis the best partner with which to expand our presence in the US and Canada.”

For sales inquiries, interested dealers please contact dealer@dpsskis.com to schedule an appointment to learn more about KOHLA.

For more information on DPS and its partnership with KOHLA, please contact account manager Ryan Silven at ryan.silven@rygr.us.

About DPS Skis: Located at the base of the Wasatch Mountains in Salt Lake City, Utah, DPS designs the world’s most advanced ski products by fusing space-age carbon technology with groundbreaking shapes. DPS is responsible for the world’s first and only pure pre-impregnated carbon fiber sandwich ski, the first 120mm-waisted powder pintail, the first rockered ski with sidecut, and PHANTOM, a paradigm-shifting permanent, one-time application base-coating that forever eliminates the need for waxing skis and snowboards. DPS products are sold on five continents and are the trusted brand of choice for serious skiers worldwide. www.dpsskis.com

About KOHLA: Since 1932, Kohla has been a family-run Austrian mountaineering company dedicated to crafting exceptional outdoor equipment. As a leading manufacturer of climbing skins, backpacks, and telescopic poles, we are driven by a passion for innovation and a commitment to meeting the highest demands of mountain sports enthusiasts. At Kohla, we are constantly striving to adapt our creations to the evolving needs of our customers, ensuring that every piece of Kohla gear empowers your mountain adventures. When you choose Kohla, you are not just selecting a product; you are embracing a legacy of innovation, quality, and unwavering dedication to the mountains we all love. https://kohla.at/en/

 

 

 

November 17, 2023; The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released economic data today affirming the rise of outdoor recreation to a trillion-dollar industry. Further, New Hampshire experienced significant industry growth ranking 9th in the country for outdoor recreation as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP). The 6th annual release provides data on the economic importance of national and state outdoor recreation economies to inform strategic industry development and policy investments, all of which is timely as the U.S. Congress will review America’s Outdoor Recreation Act before the end of the year.

Nationally, the 2022 data shows outdoor recreation generated $1.1 trillion in economic output, comprising 2.2 percent of U.S. GDP, and supporting 5 million jobs — 3.2 percent of all employees in the country – which contributes more to the U.S. economy by percentage than mining (1.8 percent), computer and electronics products (1.2 percent) and agriculture (1.1 percent). In the Granite State, New Hampshire regained its top 10 position among states for outdoor recreation as a share of state GDP, ranking 9th with 3.2 percent of GDP and 10th for overall industry growth (18.1 percent).

Additionally, outdoor recreation in New Hampshire provided 31,000 jobs and $1.5 billion in wages, ranking 6th for percentage growth nationwide (10.3 percent). “Outdoor recreation is a powerful and growing sector of our economy as reflected in today’s data. Now that we have several years of these reports, we have consistent data that underscores the value of our natural treasures and our need to preserve them,” said Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee Chair Jeanne Shaheen. “A healthy environment is the foundation of outdoor recreation. In New Hampshire, our clean air, clean water and snowy winters ensure our outdoor recreation small businesses thrive, especially those in rural areas. It is critical that we continue to provide adequate funding to maintain our public lands and support our outdoor economy.”

“Today’s data release shows that the outdoor economy is thriving in New Hampshire and should be on the radar of every policymaker across the State,” said Tyler Ray, Director of Granite Outdoor Alliance. “Through job creation, increased wages, and contributions to the economy, outdoor recreation stands as a bona fide industry rather than merely a weekend pursuit. It’s imperative that we actively embrace this data, and direct policy investments towards sustaining and nurturing this burgeoning economic sector.”

Highlights of the 2022 outdoor recreation industry numbers include:
● Workforce: Outdoor recreation compensation increased 9.1 percent and employment increased 7.4 percent nationally
● Industry: Within the outdoor industry, Retail Trade is the largest segment ($153.6 billion) followed by Arts & Entertainment ($144.5 billion) and Manufacturing ($77.6 billion)
● Activity: RVing was the largest contributor for conventional activities ($35.5 billion) followed by boating/fishing ($32.4 billion), motorcycling/ATVing ($11.5 billion), and snow activities ($7 billion)

For more information and to access the full report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, visit https://www.bea.gov/data/special-topics/outdoor-recreation.

ABOUT GRANITE OUTDOOR ALLIANCE
Granite Outdoor Alliance is a membership-based business alliance comprised of over 120 companies supporting New Hampshire’s outdoor industry, including manufacturers, retailers, hospitality, non-profits, and individuals and families. The goal is to develop a sustainable and inclusive outdoor economy that improves recreation infrastructure, responsible stewardship, healthy communities, workforce development, and economic opportunity. For more information, visit https://www.graniteoutdooralliance.org/.
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CHICAGO, Ill. – November 16, 2023 – Opinel USA is pleased to announce the launch of its latest Artist Series Collection, No.08 Artist IV Nature, a thematic, limited-edition folding knife collection released in collaboration with three artists showcasing aspects of nature through differing origins and inspirations.

For this newest Artist Series Collection, Opinel collaborated with artists Rommy González, MioSHe, and Perrine Honoré to design three classic No.08 Opinel folding knives embodying each artist’s unique and intricate design on the knives’ sustainably-harvested Hornbeam handles. Whether in their artistic practices and processes, or in the use of natural elements in their compositions, nature is the primary inspiration of the collection.

Rommy Gonzalez
Originally from Santiago de Chile, Rommy González is a Berlin-based visual artist and illustrator whose work is focused on the interpretation of nature and finding an intersection between art and science. Her visual language is inspired by botanical and scientific illustration, creating her own imaginary landscapes.

With her design, González presents an inspired expression of nature, showcasing the complex forms of fungi. A combination of astonishing beauty and exquisite flavors that delight our senses, the colorful artwork invites us to open our perception and connect with nature. The knife showcases a numbered stainless steel blade.

MioSHe
French artist Antoine Martinet dit MioSHe is a muralist whose work has appeared in public spaces around the world for over a decade. His work explores the relationship between human, urban, and natural elements and the space in which they are inscribed.

Honoring nature in his design, MioSHe created a silhouette inspired by “Vrikshasana,” the yogic tree pose. Based loosely on Selene, Goddess of the Full Moon, the knife’s design represents the strength of her posture and its ability to transform. The knife showcases a numbered stainless steel blade with matte black PVD finish.

Perrine Honoré
Perrine is a French illustrator and muralist based in Barcelona. With a creative practice spanning fields such as urban art, textile patterns, artistic direction, branding, and jewelry creations, Honoré favors Illustration for the greater freedom of expression it provides.

Exploring a global and colorful visual style that sits between abstract and figurative, her design reveals a variety of natural elements that highlights Honoré‘s festive and colorful aesthetic, building a critical universe where madness and spontaneity prevail, much like in nature. The knife showcases a numbered stainless steel blade.

Collection Details
● Made in France
● Sustainably-harvested Hornbeam handles
● Each knife comes with a customized gift box designed to match the knife
● Rommy González design: 700 units available in the U.S.
● MioSHe design: 600 units available in the U.S.
● Perrine Honoré design: 700 units available in the U.S.
● MSRP: $49 – $55

The No.08 Artist IV Nature Collection is available for pre-order at Opinel-usa.com. Pre-ordered knives will ship the week of November 27.

ABOUT OPINEL USA
Based in the French Alps, Opinel has been making pocket knives and kitchen tools in France since 1890. The brand launched its US subsidiary in 2016. To view the collection, visit
www.opinel-usa.com or follow @opinelusa.