Tag Archive for ‘gregory’ at Gregory Goes There

Tag Archive for 'gregory'

National Trails Day is tomorrow

Tomorrow is National Trails Day, which means A. all the National Parks and Refuges are free this weekend, and B. today is National Donut Day!

A win-win situation, really. Today, you can eat all the donuts you want, without guilt, knowing you’ll be hitting the trails this weekend. And besides needing to hike off those deep-fried calories, here’s why you should get out and celebrate our trails regardless.

In 1987, Ronald Reagan put out a report called the President’s Commission on Americans Outdoors, which recommended that all Americans be able to go out their front doors and within fifteen minutes, be on a trail. This report evolved into a cause known as ‘Trails for All Americans,’ which became the American Hiking Society’s impetus for launching National Trails Day in 1993.

With 200,000 miles of trails across the U.S., a thousand+ events in all 50 states, and free entrance into our National Parks, you should have plenty of reasons to get out and celebrate.

Published

Lauren

on June 4, 2010

in Outdoor News

. 0 Comments

A New Era for Gregory

Dear Friends,

This is a great day for Gregory Mountain Products. Today we have announced that we have entered into transactions in which Gregory and Black Diamond Equipment will be merged into Clarus Corporation, creating a new, multi-branded, publicly-traded platform in the outdoor industry. Many of you know Black Diamond, a pioneering designer and manufacturer of technical, authentic climbing, ski and alpine equipment, as a global brand and business for which we at Gregory have always had tremendous respect. Clarus is a public company with tremendous financial resources but no current operating business that has been searching for some time for the right business to support and help grow. These transactions represent an exciting inflection point for each of these three companies, Clarus, Black Diamond and Gregory.

With these transactions, we are cementing the legacy of what we have built so far while establishing a stronger foundation with new tools and greater resources. Black Diamond will be a great fit for us as we have complementary product lines and distribution and share similar philosophies, culture and values. In addition, we believe the combination of Black Diamond and Gregory represents an exciting new chapter in the evolution of Gregory, one that will allow us to sharpen our focus on designing and manufacturing the best packs in the market and to draw on the strength that Black Diamond has so clearly demonstrated to the outdoor industry.

While both Black Diamond and Gregory have been long term outdoor industry leading companies, this isn’t the only thread we have in common. A story I recently heard tells only part of the long and rich history Peter Metcalf, the Co-Founder, President and Chief Executive of Black Diamond, and Wayne Gregory have together. More than 30 years ago as an eager but broke young climber, Peter asked Wayne to sponsor a first ascent he was attempting in Alaska. Although Wayne was in the process of building his company armed with little more than a sewing machine and a VW van, he was moved enough by the appeal to send Peter his first Gregory pack, free of charge. As you may well know, subsequently Wayne and the Gregory team have been through a series of transitions and growth. In 1983, Gregory Mountain Products was acquired by Bianchi International. In December 2004, Armor Holdings, led by Warren Kanders and Rob Schiller, acquired Bianchi and the plan then was the same as the plan today: to use Gregory as a growth platform to build a global public company in the outdoor lifestyle industry. And as many of you know, in March of 2008, Gregory was liberated by Warren and Rob from a large company more broadly focused on personal protection and safety equipment. Today, they are helping us unite with Black Diamond to form a publicly traded company in the outdoor industry.

As you know, since last June we have been searching for the right Chief Executive to lead Gregory toward that goal. I’m excited to announce that as part of the transactions Peter Metcalf has agreed to lead the new combined company. Black Diamond’s results speak volumes about Peter’s leadership and passion for this industry, having grown BD over nearly 30 years from a business doing less than $1 million in revenues to one with approximately $86 million in revenues in calendar 2009. The Gregory team looks forward to working with Peter and his group.

Black Diamond and Gregory share the passion for the outdoors and for the exploratory spirit that each brand embodies. Black Diamond employees work and play hard with the same authenticity, pride and commitment that has enabled Gregory employees to create the best quality products for over 30 years. In the combined organization, we also have much deeper resources, financially, operationally, and strategically to cement and grow Gregory’s presence in all of the markets we serve.

Over the next several months, the management team will be working hard to complete the transactions and develop an integration plan that will benefit both companies as well as our global network of suppliers, partners, customers, and consumers. We will actively and openly communicate with all of our stakeholders as the details of our plans become available.

For now, we want to thank all of our stakeholders - our customers, our employees, our vendors and, most of all, the users of our packs - for helping bring Gregory Mountain Products to the place we find ourselves today. Our success comes now, as it will in the future from our ability to serve your needs. Our goals remain the same, to continue creating the best products that are available in the marketplace and to stay true to the ideals and the vision that have sustained this company over the years and which will propel us into a bright new future. Wayne Gregory joins our enthusiasm for the road ahead and we look forward to traveling it with you and our new partners at Black Diamond.

With best regards,

Gray Hudkins
Interim CEO

Published

Steph

on May 10, 2010

in Gregory Company News

. 1 Comment

And the Winner Is…

December’s Good Life photo contest was a good one, competition and voting was fierce but in the end, Joe’s photo edged out the rest to win, securing over 100 votes.

It was taken this past September on a three night, four day trip covering about 25 miles. After encountering rain, snow, sleet and hail, temperatures ranging from the 25 - 40 degrees, and wind gusts up to 25 mph, he and his wife made camp above tree line, falling asleep to the sounds of elk and snow falling on the tent.

This photo was snapped on the Continental Divide Trail between Knife Edge and Trout Lake. That’s Joe’s wife, Erica, in the picture at an elevation of approximately 12,000 feet, rocking her Deva 60. Luckily the weather broke long enough to get this great shot. Congrats on winning December’s uber-exclusive prize, a Day and a Half pack from our Classic Series, currently available only in Japan.

Think you have a photo that’s a winner? Lucky for you, January’s contest is on. In honor of Winter, this month’s prize is a Gregory Drift (pictured to the right).

So head on over to the site, upload your pictures and start voting! The photo with the most votes through January 31st wins. Good Luck!

Published

Steph

on January 7, 2010

in Contests and Gregory Community

. 1 Comment

Gregory Gives Back to the Community

At Gregory we’re getting into the holiday spirit by reaching out to our local community here in Sacramento and helping a family in need. About a month ago, our local bike cop (who keeps our hood safe and is often hanging around the office geeking out with us over new gear) told us about a program through the Robertson Community Center where you can adopt a family and help them during the holidays. With Sgt. Valdez’s recommendation we decided upon a family with a single mom, 3 boys (ages 8, 6 & 4), and one more baby on the way, who were in desperate need of everything from clothing and food, to furniture and general household and kitchen items for their apartment.

So the Gregory Gives Back group rallied employees, our landlord, friends and family and started collecting everything we could (big ups to craigslist and everyone in the office with large enough cars and muscles to help move furniture). In no time, an empty cube was filled up with tons of stuff to donate to this family, and we’ve been dropping it off as we obtain it for a couple of weeks now. We were even able to get management to donate some ca$h to buy some of the items we couldn’t find, like new bedding, new clothes, some backpacks for school (obviously) and a brand new bike and helmet for each child. Employees donated everything else you could think of - rugs, tables, lamps, beds, clothing, toys, groceries, kitchen items and even a stroller! I’m so proud of everyone here for coming together and helping to make this great donation to a family in need.

And the giving doesn’t stop there. We’re hoping that we can help this family out a few more times next year by allocating some of the funds we have in the Gregory Gives Back budget to them for any future items they may need. We hope you all have a great holiday season and if at all possible, consider donating to those less fortunate. Even the smallest item can go a long way to helping someone else out.

Published

Steph

on December 21, 2009

in Gregory Community

. 2 Comments

Facial Hair Goes Futuristic (sort of)

About a month ago, we posted the theme and categories for this year’s 2nd Annual Gregory Facial Hair Contest. The theme was “It came from the Future” and contestants wasted no time starting the growing. The more hair you had to work with, the more ridiculous you could probably make your final ‘entry’.

So just to refresh everyone’s memory, here were the categories that participants were able to compete in, courtesy of Mark - one of our designers and last year’s big winner.

Overall Grand Prize - Based on originality, creativity and relevance to the theme, not on length, amount or authenticity of hair.
Less is More - This year, the “Less is More” award is given as a consolation prize to the person who tries really hard, but comes up short.
You Missed the Point - To the person with the best retro beard.
Gutsiest Move I Ever Saw - To the person who risks professional reputation and public embarrassment, just for some measly contest.

Well the results are in and honestly, I have to hand it to these guys. They not only grew out their hair and had pretty substantial beards for over a month, but in order to fully qualify, had to walk around with their shaved facial hair creation for a full week before final judging. And they did - on the bus, light rail, to the grocery store, to work - fighting against better judgment and the appalled and nervous looks from fellow citizens of our fair city of Sacramento. Enjoy the before and after pictures!

Gutsiest Move I Ever Saw: Congrats to George McCloskey of Ask George fame and our resident customer service guru (so you can’t really see it, but he’s got a stripe that continues from that strip on his chin, down under his chin):

Less is More: Congrats to Sherwin Tactay who works in the engineering department, checks quality and makes sure that all product is ready to go to market:

You Missed the Point: Congrats to Brad Johnstun who helps plan and purchase everything that we use to make packs:

OVERALL GRAND PRIZE: Congrats to Marketing’s own Shane Dunne, who’s use of the fabled neck beard, combined with lightning bolt-esque designs made him the clear winner:

And what does one win in such a prestigious contest? Why a trophy of course. Here’s the one Shane received and is now proudly displayed at his desk:

(CREEPER)

Oh, and what about Mark you ask? He was last year’s winner yet is visibly absent from this year’s winner’s circle.

Totally Boned It: We’re making up a new category that wasn’t in the initial list, just for Mark. He didn’t follow his own rules and wound up shaving the day before judging (guess he wasn’t scoring any points with the ladies and was getting fed up). Here’s your honorable mention buddy:

See you all next year!

Published

Steph

on December 16, 2009

in Gregory Community

. 1 Comment

Gregory Goes on Dawn Patrol

The other day John, CJ and Mark, part of Gregory’s R&D crew, headed up to Tahoe for some early morning backcountry skiing. They hit the trail at about 5:30 am, skinned up to Deep Creek, gained the ridge and descended a northeast aspect with some good powder. The packs of choice for this endeavor were a Drift and a Z30. All of this, and the guys still managed to be back at work in Sacramento by 10:30. Well played.

Published

Steph

on March 31, 2009

in Gregory Culture

. 0 Comments

Ask George: how to field-repair a backpack zipper

Gregory’s chief customer service and warranty man-with-a-plan George not only knows a ton about backpack field repairs and backpack maintenance, he also has an impressive collection of eyewear.

Continuing our series on the most common backpack field repairs and how to be prepared to deal with them, we asked George about addressing a blown-out zipper:

So George, zippers …

Yeah, along with buckles, they’re another moving part that tends to wear more quickly than other parts of a backpack. They’re number two on the list of things we get repair inquiries about.

What goes wrong with a zipper and what can you do about it out in the field?

There’s a couple things that can go wrong, and either way, having some lightweight parachute cord and/or some dental floss in your pack is a good idea. They don’t weigh much and can help you address several scenarios. Again, the vast majority of people never have a problem, but it’s always good to be ready for one when you’re out three. You can use dental floss or a strand from some P-cord to sew a zipper shut, using either a needle, a knife or a multi-tool (which are other good things to either have in a first-aid kit and/or to carry in your pack) to create the holes to run the strand through.

Published

Dave

on March 12, 2009

in How to ... and Technology

. 4 Comments

Gregory Goes to Snowbasin

Here’s a picture of one of Gregory’s owners, Rob Schiller (in the Targhee) with sons Jonah (13) and Sam (11) looking across the valley to Powder Mountain. I’d say this is pretty much the definition of work/life balance. We’ll be sure to follow your example back here at the office.

Published

Steph

on February 17, 2009

in Uncategorized

. 0 Comments

Happy Halloween!

Spotted around Sacramento…a few of the Gregory kids out on the town, dressed up the weekend BEFORE halloween. Guess they couldn’t wait to wear their sweet costumes.

Let me take this opportunity to introduce you all to some of the amazing and talented minds that we have working here:

Cheer Bear (pink care bear) is Robyn, she’s one of our Product Specialists
The Ref - that’s Katie, International Customer Service Specialist
Guy in the back left corner with the Redwood Creek hat on - that’s George, of Ask George blog fame
Guy on right with the umbrella mustache - Mark, one of our designers
Soccer Player - That’s Fabian, manufacturing engineer, he keeps it all together (I swear)

We don’t know the abercrombie and fitch kid, but the other 2 girls at the table get honorable mentions b/c they’re our friends. Steph is the other Care Bear and Julie is the german barmaid who was visiting from NY.

What are you all going to be for Halloween???? Send us pictures and have a good one!

Published

Steph

on October 30, 2008

in Uncategorized

. 1 Comment

Sharing is Caring

Recently here at our office, we began a new committee for community outreach and volunteering. Everyone has their favorite charities, organizations or causes to volunteer for and sponsor, and this group, named Gregory Gives Back, will take all employee nominated groups into consideration.

The first official activity the committee will be engaging in (and asking all of us to help with), is a canned food drive. We’ll have a bin here in the lobby of our office for collection and will be donating to one, or hopefully many, of the local shelters and food banks in Sacramento. With the holidays fast approaching, food pantries will be going through more stock than usual, and will need everyone’s help to boost their supplies. So if you’re in the Sacramento area, stop by the office November 1st - December 19th to drop off your canned goods, and if you’re not our neighbor, don’t feel left out! Visit www.feedingamerica.org or www.findfoodbank.com to find a drop off location near you.

Although we sometimes forget that cold weather exists while basking in the warm and sunny California weather, there are many people across the nation that need coats for the upcoming winter. In conjunction with News 10, our local news affiliate, we will be collecting new and gently worn coats for both children and adults to donate to our local Sacramento Coats for Kids chapter. We will have a bin for this in our lobby as well and will be accepting donations November 1st-December 17th. You can find out more about this organization, and where you can donate coats locally, at their website, http://www.coats-for-kids.org.

As the group meets more often, they’ll be coming up with more ideas, both local and national – maybe even worldwide), that Gregory wants to be a part of. We’ll keep sharing our choices with you to try and spread the love, and if any of you out there have a favorite organization that you think we should know about, send the recommendation our way. We’ll put it into the pool for our next meeting.

Published

Steph

on October 22, 2008

in Uncategorized

. 0 Comments

Gregory Goes There