Stamford, CT – In 2012 Lowa Boots partnered with the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) to open a Demo Center at the Joe Dodge Lodge in Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire, which allows customers to try before they buy at no charge. After receiving positive feedback, Lowa is replicating the program with the Mohican Outdoor Center located in the 70,000-acre Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area close to the Appalachian Trail in New Jersey. Both areas offer a network of nearby trails and space for other outdoor activities.

Monterey, CA – The European bicycle company Accell Group NV has formed a new fully owned subsidiary in North America, Accel North America that will manage existing bicycle brands Raleigh, Seattle Bike Supply, iZip, Lapierre etc. This new structure will allow single-invoice capabilities for the brands in the portfolio.

Raleigh and Diamondback, both Accell Group brands, are currently carried by outdoor retailers such as REI and are targeting the outdoor specialty space as part of their growth opportunity. Dealers will be offered a benefits package to help maintain retail margins.

Longmont, CO – Adding 5,000 sq. ft. to their capacity, Deuter USA and Ortovox USA have relocated to a 17,000 sq. ft. facility. The move allows the brands to combine office and warehouse space wit increased volume for better service and employee amenities.

Winnipeg, Manitoba – Outerwear manufacturer Canada Goose has opened a new factory in Winnipeg, doubling its production capacity. It has also hired 25 new employees in the last six months. The development enables the company to meet rising global demand and explore new innovations.

Huntington Beach, CA – Following Andy Mooney's appointment as president and CEO of Quicksilver, several management shifts are in affect as the company releases its quarterly reports. Tom Hartge, formerly of Patagonia and Nike, is the new global head of footwear, and Kasey Mazzone, of Land's End and American Eagle Outfitters, is global head of supply chain. Additionally, Pierre Agnes—president of Quicksilver Europe—will manage global apparel. Finally, the company is in the process of bringing on a new chief marketing officer.

Uphill skiing is a growing trend at many North American ski areas. This is climbing uphill on specialized alpine-touring ski gear for both fitness and as a way to hone skills for the backcountry. Because more and more skiers are opting to earn their turns, Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Crested Butte, CO is establishing a formal uphill-ski program and demo center in partnership with touring equipment brands, Scarpa and Ski Trab.

Apparel giant, VF Corporation, names Roger Spatz president of travel outfitter, Eagle Creek. The California-based company is one of many brands positioned under the VF Outdoor Coalition, which includes The North Face, Jansport, Timberland, Reef and many others.

As president of Eagle Creek, Roger Spatz will draw on his 30 years of financial and business leadership in the apparel and manufacturing industries. He joined VF in 2004 as the CFO for VF Outlet, and in 2008 moved to CFO, Reef and Eagle Creek.

Prior to joining VF, Spatz was the COO of Cambridge-Lee Industries a global manufacturer of copper products. He holds an MBA in Finance from St. Joseph’s University and a Bachelors of Science with a dual major in Business and Computer Science from Juniata College.

Reno, Nevada—New Stand-up Paddling company, Open Air dynamics, whose portfolio of brands include Tahoe SUP and Odyssey SUP, appoints Mark Horton as CEO. He brings with him seven years experience as operations and finance manager for Global Surf Industries, which oversaw more than ten SUP brands. Horton helped organize Open Air dynamics with Odyssey SUP Founder Mike Okoniewski and the Founder of Tahoe SUP Nate Brouwer.