ExOfficio
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| ExOfficio | |
|---|---|
| Type | Subsidiary of Jarden |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Headquarters | Tukwila, Washington |
| Industry | Retail |
| Products | Outdoor and Travel Clothing |
| Website | www.exofficio.com |
ExOfficio is an outdoor and travel clothing company based in Tukwila, Washington. ExOfficio was founded in 1987 by Joe Boldan and Rick Hemmerling in Seattle, Washington. The company first started by creating a multi-pocketed and ventilated shirt for fly fishers. Twenty years later, ExOfficio continues to design technical travel apparel.
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[edit] Company History
1986: ExOfficio is founded September 1, 1986 in Seattle, Washington, as De Sar, Inc.
1987: Fly fishers want a ventilated yet stylish shirt with multiple pockets. The Baja is ExOfficio's first "climate control" shirt.
1988: The ExOfficio brand label is introduced.
1991: ExOfficio expands their line to include pants. They develop their own Nycott fabric to make the first 100% nylon pant, the Amphi. ExOfficio continues to expand their pant line and are the first to put a built-in brief into a non-elastic waist pant.
1991: ExOfficio adds hidden security-zip pockets to their clothing aimed at travelers.
1993: ExOfficio becomes the first major company to introduce high performance convertible clothing with zip-off sleeves and pant legs.
1994: With rising concerns about sun protection, ExOfficio introduces the Air Strip shirt with built-in UV protection. This shirt's also vented, wicks away sweat, and has a 3-position sun collar to cover the neck, jaw, and hairline.
1997: ExOfficio introduces the indestructible button system.
1997: ExOfficio is listed on Inc. 500 as one of the fastest growing private company three years running (1995/96/97).
2000: ExOfficio launches their performance underwear line with Give-N-Go Stretch superfine mesh.
July 2000: ExOfficio is purchased by the Orvis, the longest-running mail order catalog.
2003: ExOfficio becomes the first company to introduce BUZZ OFF Insect Shield repellent apparel to the United States.
2004: ExOfficio's corporate headquarters moves from Seattle, Washington, to Tukwila, Washington.
2004: ExOfficio starts selling a woven clothing collection made from Dri-Release. ExO Dri clothing is quick drying, moisture wicking, and odor resistant.
May 2004: K2 Inc. purchases ExOfficio from Orvis.
2005: ExOfficio is nominated to be the official outfitter of the first successful full length ascent of the Blue Nile River, MacGillivray Freeman Films' Mystery of the Nile.
2006: Rick Hemmerling, co-founder of ExOfficio, is named a Top 35 Travel Industry Innovator in the world by Travel + Leisure Magazine.
2007: ExOfficio launches Tofutech, a line of travel knits for men created from natural soy fabrics. The Tofutech Tee wins a Green Gear of the Year (2007) award from Outside Magazine.
2007: Jarden acquires K2 Inc. and ExOfficio.
[edit] Product lines
Adventure
ExOfficio's Adventure apparel is aimed at adventurers who need functional, but comfortable, performance clothing for their destinations. These pieces often have multiple built-in features such as:
- insect repellent
- quick drying time
- security zip pockets
- UV protection
- indestructible buttons
- moisture wicking
- ventilation
- convertibility from pants to shorts
- a high warmth to weight ratio
- odor resistance
- lightweight clothing
- stain resistance
- wrinkle resistance
- being windproof
- a Teflon finish
- anti-pilling
- high strength fabrics
- stretch fabrics
- waterproof breathable fabrics
- pre-shrunk fabrics
- an interior travel pocket system
- a peach finish
- a soft wash for texture
- water resistance.
Buzz Off
ExOfficio's Buzz Off products have built-in insect repellent and UV protection. Their fly fisher gear falls under this label. The insect repellent combines Permethrin, a man-made form of a natural insect repellent found in the Chrysanthemum plant, with a patent-pending process. ExOfficio also sells a Kids line under Buzz Off, primarily sold at R.E.I. or on ExOfficio's web site.
Destinations
ExOfficio's Destinations apparel is made with high performance and technical fabrics yet styled and marketed for urban use.
Underwear
ExOfficio's travel underwear is high performance and contains odor resistance, quick dry time, and moisture wicking properties. They also make socks from the Buzz Off line and other accessories, including bandanas and hats.
[edit] Technical Innovations
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Buzz Off Insect Shield
Buzz Off Insect Shield Repellent Apparel from ExOfficio is the first EPA-registered insect repellent clothing. It protects against ticks, ants, flies, chiggers, midges, and mosquitoes. This includes those that can carry diseases such as malaria, West Nile virus, Lyme and other insect-borne diseases. Buzz Off Insect Shield is odorless, invisible and colorless. The insect repellent combines Permethrin, a man-made form of a natural insect repellent found in the Chrysanthemum plant, with a patent-pending textile process. For more details on this remarkable technology go to [1]
Dri-Release
ExO Dri pushes moisture outside the garment into the air. Made from a patented microblend, Dri-Release combines natural (hydrophilic) and synthetic (hydrophobic) fibers to wick moisture four times faster than cotton.
Give-N-Go
ExOfficio's Give-N-Go stretch performance underwear is lightweight, quick drying, moisture wicking, and has an odor resistant Aegis anti-microbial finish. The performance underwear can "withstand a trip to 17 countries for 6 weeks."
UV Protection
Sun protective apparel is designed to cover a maximum amount of skin and made from a fabric rated for its level of ultraviolet protection. ExOfficio's Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) covers up to 98% of UV rays.
ExOfficio's soy apparel is made from the stalks of soy plants. Soy fabric is high strength, moisture wicking, odor resistant, quick drying, and ventilated. Soy is also a renewable resource.
[edit] Branches
ExOfficio sells its products through specialty retailers in the outdoor, fly fishing, and travel industries, in four retail stores, and on the internet.
[edit] Retail stores
Lincoln Square at Bellevue, Washington
Located in Lincoln Square, this flagship store features performance travel apparel and a travel research area to help shoppers plan trips.
Belltown in Seattle, Washington
Located in downtown Seattle, this store is near Pike Place Market and the Space Needle.
Seatac International Airport at SeaTac, Washington
Located in the Central Terminal, this store targets the active traveler in transit.
Marina Square at Raffles Boulevard, Singapore
Located in Downtown Singapore, this is the first and only concept store in Singapore, targeting international travellers in the region.
[edit] Retailers
Many outdoor travel and fly fishing specialty shops sell ExOfficio apparel, including R.E.I., Orvis, Magellans, Adventure 16, and Sportsman's Warehouse.
[edit] Web
ExOfficio's products are available on their web site: ExOfficio.com.
[edit] Corporate Responsibility
[edit] Non-Profit Partners
Medical Teams International sends nearly 200 volunteer teams each year to provide disaster relief and medical and dental care for impoverished people worldwide. ExOfficio outfits their medical teams and staff and donates product for annual fundraising events.
An international disaster relief and development organization founded in 1955, World Concern serves more than 4 million poor and oppressed people each year. ExOfficio donates thousands of clothing items every year to them. ExOfficio is also part of their Global Uniform Program, which outfits every World Concern field worker and staff member.
African Wildlife Foundation
The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is the leading international conservation organization focused solely on Africa. Since 1961, AWF has recognized that Africa's wildlife resources and wild landscapes are key to the future prosperity of Africa and its people.
PATH is an international, nonprofit organization that creates sustainable, culturally relevant solutions, enabling communities worldwide to break longstanding cycles of poor health. ExOfficio outfits the volunteer staff for annual fundraising events and provides gifts for key donors.
[edit] Sponsorships
[edit] Specialty Film
ExOfficio has sponsored three MacGillivray Freeman Films, Mystery of the Nile, Hurricane on the Bayou, and Grand Canyon Adventure 3D. All are IMAX films and feature ExOfficio clothing. Mystery of the Nile documents one team's journey as they navigated the Blue Nile from start to finish. Hurricane on the Bayou documents the rapid decline of Louisiana's wetlands and the tragic devastation of Hurricane Katrina on the environment as well as the citizens of New Orleans. Grand Canyon Adventure 3D documents a 15-day river-rafting adventure down the Colorado River with a team of explorers committed to bringing global awareness on the issue of water.
[edit] Television
Richard Bangs' Adventures with Purpose
Richard Bangs' Adventures with Purpose is a PBS television series and companion book that uses the vehicle of adventure to explore the world and its wonders by looking at important environmental and social issues and how to preserve special places, cultures, and activities. ExOfficio provides clothing for the series.
Fly Fishing the World
ESPN's Fly Fishing the World travels the globe in pursuit of great angling. ExOfficio provides clothing and receives product placement and brand recognition in the fly fishing arena.
The History Channel's highest-rated television show, Digging for the Truth takes a look at the world's greatest ancient mysteries. ExOfficio's clothing is featured and mentioned on the show.
Hook.TV
Hook.TV is a niche video sharing site for fly fishing enthusiasts. This show is also featured on Versus. ExOfficio receives product placement and brand exposure.
Passport to Adventure
Passport to Adventure hosts Mark Jennings and Julie Conover have been trekking the globe since 1994 in this travel series. ExOfficio provides clothing for the series.
[edit] Trade Associations
Adventure Travel Trade Association
The only international adventure travel trade association, the Adventure Travel Trade Association exists to promote and develop the adventure-travel market. By providing professional support, development, marketing, and business building strategies with their members, they facilitate knowledge sharing and create a common vision for the industry. ExOfficio receives marketing services, research, connections, and industry experience.
[edit] Eco-Conscious Design
Soy
In 2007, ExOfficio added soy fabric to their collection with the introduction of TofuTech. Natural soy fabric, derived from the plant stock of soybeans and applied to apparel, has natural odor and bacteria resistance, moisture wicking ability, wrinkle resistance, a quick drying time, and a soft, natural feel. Soy is also a renewable resource.
[edit] Trivia
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This article does not cite any references or sources. (March 2008) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
- ExOfficio's underwear was seen in the movie, Ocean's Thirteen.
- On The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, comedian Howie Mandel mentioned that he wears ExOfficio underwear and joked about their slogan, '17 countries, six weeks, one pair of underwear,' saying that he wore them for 34 countries.
