Arc'teryx
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Arc'teryx is an outdoor clothing and sporting goods company founded in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in 1989. Needing a larger manufacturing space the company moved its headquarters to Burnaby in 1999. Recently, in 2005, the Arc'teryx head office moved home, back across the Burrard Inlet to North Vancouver. Arc'teryx products are usually associated with climbing, skiing, snowboarding, backpacking, and hiking-related activities.
Originally named Rock Solid by founders Dave Lane and Jeremy Guard, the company's first line of products were climbing gear. Using a heat laminate (thermolamination) technology, the partners designed and marketed the Vapor harness, which would become the company's most popular item. In the second year of operations, after a series of relocations and staff additions, Arc'teryx released the Bora backpack using the same Vapor technology. In 1996, after obtaining a license from WL Gore and Associates for use of the Gore-Tex fabric, the company adapted it for its new line of outdoor technical apparel.
Using innovative production methods and high quality control, their products are considered high-end and typically command premium pricing (a 2006 pricing guide from US outdoor retailer R.E.I. quoted a price for a Naos 70 backpack at US$475, $150-$200 more than the average price for other packs the same size in its category. However, much of the Naos' price difference is attributable to the fact that it is built with waterproof materials, whereas most comparable backpacks are not). Top selling items in their clothing line include the Theta AR and Gamma MX jackets. Over the years Arc'teryx's designs have won a number of awards from Backpacker, Outside, Climbing, Men's Journal, and Powder magazines.[1]
Arc'teryx Milestones: Skaha Buckle Design - this custom made, epoxy coated piece ended the need for repeated harness retightening, Vapor Technology - the Vapor harness introduced 3D thermomolded technology to the climbing world, Bora Hipbelt - a backpack hipbelt manufactured with variable density foams heat molded into pre-curved and cupped shapes that eliminate pressure points, Watertight Zippers - urethane coated zippers eliminated the need for waterproof jackets to use bulky double flaps to seal out moisture, AC² Technology - a new backpack fabric with a bondable surface allows components to be laminated directly to the fabric without traditional sewing.
The Arc'teryx LEAF (Law Enforcement and Armed Forces) product line is comprised of equipment targeted to the military and law enforcement markets. Although some items are simply counterparts in design to their civilian models, other items, such as Arc'teryx's Tango and Charlie packs, are made in camouflage patterns and constructed to military specification, including numerous PALS-type attachment loops and fabric featuring neutral and camouflage coloring. Due to dissatisfaction with the MOLLE gear, the United States Marine Corps chose Arc'teryx's Tango design for their new backpack, the ILBE.
In January of 2001 Arc'teryx was purchased by the Adidas owned Salomon Group.[1] In May of 2005 Amer Sports purchased the Salomon Group from Adidas.[2] The Arc'teryx head office is still located in North Vancouver, although harnesses, backpacks, and many other lamination equipment is from its own factory in Burnaby, BC, their apparel line has expanded, thus Arc'teryx has consequently outsourced to plants in China, Vietnam, and New Zealand.
The name and logo of Arc'teryx refer to the Archaeopteryx, the earliest known bird. The symbol is based on the "Berlin specimen" of the bird, the most complete skeleton to date.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Nowakowski, Natasha, "Arc'teryx a perfect fit for adidas' Salomon business", The Portland Business Journal, November 8, 2002.
- ^ Crane, Leah, "Salomon Sold to Amer Sports", Transworld Business Magazine, August 9, 2005
[edit] External links
- Official Company Website
- Arc'teryx Law Enforcement & Armed Forces division
- Long article about Arcteryx (in Danish)
- Arc'Teryx apparel
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