SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 1, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Diamond, Inc. (Nasdaq:BDE) (the "Company" or "Black Diamond"), a leading global provider of outdoor recreation equipment and active lifestyle products, has established a wholly-owned ski manufacturing factory at its Black Diamond Equipment Asia operations in Zhuhai, China.
The all-new, 43,000 square foot, state-of-the-art ski factory has begun to produce salesmen samples of Black Diamond's 2013/2014 ski line, incorporating new manufacturing processes that are expected to allow for significant performance enhancements and a higher level of quality control.
"Our decision to bring Black Diamond's ski manufacturing in-house represents a significant expansion of our manufacturing footprint, and demonstrates our commitment to the category and passion for the sports we serve," said Peter Metcalf, president and CEO of Black Diamond. "We already manufacture approximately 30% to 35% of our proprietary products in-house, so we are confident in our capabilities. We believe ski manufacturing will allow us to be more responsive to our customers while maintaining a competitive pricing position and equally important, sustain, if not improve, the highest level of quality and performance which is synonymous with the Black Diamond brand."
Black Diamond's 2013/2014 ski line will include performance advancements to its signature Formula One Technology™ and 3D forming of rails, and stand out with beautifully executed graphics. Other details remain confidential at this time.
Mark Ritchie, Black Diamond's COO, commented: "The construction of this facility is a prominent addition to our Black Diamond Equipment Asia campus and advances upon our strategy to invest in and expand our manufacturing footprint. Its world-class manufacturing capabilities are expected to allow us to significantly enhance our ski product line, which we believe will forever change the way the market perceives Black Diamond skis and our global brand."
Founded in 2006, Black Diamond Equipment Asia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Diamond, and is staffed with nearly 200 Black Diamond employees.
About Black Diamond, Inc.
Black Diamond, Inc. is a global leader in the design, manufacturing and marketing of innovative active outdoor performance products for climbing, mountaineering, backpacking, skiing, cycling and other outdoor recreation activities for a wide range of year-round use. The Company's principal brands, Black Diamond®, Gregory™, POC™ and Pieps™, are iconic in the active outdoor industry and linked intrinsically with the modern history of these sports. Black Diamond is synonymous with performance, innovation, durability and safety that the outdoor and action sport communities rely on and embrace in their active lifestyle. Headquartered in Salt Lake City at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, the Company's products are created and tested on some of the best alpine peaks, slopes, crags, roads and trails in the world. These close connections to the Black Diamond lifestyle enhance the authenticity of the Company's brands, inspire product innovation and strengthen customer loyalty. The Company's products are sold by leading specialty retailers in the U.S. and 50 countries around the world. For additional information, please visit the Company's websites at www.blackdiamond-inc.com, www.blackdiamondequipment.com, www.gregorypacks.com, www.pocsports.com or www.pieps.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Please note that in this press release we may use words such as "appears," "anticipates," "believes," "plans," "expects," "intends," "future," and similar expressions which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company and therefore involve a number of risks and uncertainties. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results of operations or financial condition of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, the overall level of consumer spending on our products; general economic conditions and other factors affecting consumer confidence; disruption and volatility in the global capital and credit markets; the financial strength of the Company's customers; the Company's ability to implement its growth strategy; the Company's ability to successfully integrate and grow acquisitions; the Company's ability to maintain the strength and security of its information technology systems; stability of the Company's manufacturing facilities and foreign suppliers; the Company's ability to protect trademarks and other intellectual property rights; fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of raw materials and contracted products; foreign currency fluctuations; our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards; and legal, regulatory, political and economic risks in international markets. More information on potential factors that could affect the Company's financial results is included from time to time in the Company's public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based upon information available to the Company as of the date of this press release, and speak only as of the date hereof. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.