G3, starting this fall, will be the first alpine-touring/backcountry ski binding manufacturer to offer a liability reduction and indemnity program to its North American Retailers. This program is based off a standard procedure among manufacturers and retailers that will reduce risk, and potentially cost to G3 dealers. When G3’s Onyx and women’s Ruby alpine-touring bindings are installed with the company’s instructions, dealer agreement, and documentation requirements, G3 will take the lead in defending any legal case surrounding binding releasability or function involving a dealer and/or sales rep.

I/O Bio has promoted two of its team members and hired a new addition. Greg McRoberts has been promoted to President of Global Sales and Operations from his recent position as General Manager. Heidi Williamson will now be heading up the Dealer Services Department, as well as managing the Pro Purchase Program. Kareen Falls is a new addition to the I/O Bio team and will be managing the financial team of the business globally.

Point6 has been selected for an exclusive partnership with First Ascent, Eddie Bauer's new line of expedition gear. The line includes clothing, accessories and gear for the outdoor lifestyle designed by world-renowned guides and climbers Peter Whittaker, Ed Viesturs and Dave Hahn.  All First Ascent socks will be manufactured by Point6.

The First Ascent and Point6 private label collection will debut at retail in September 2010 and will be available exclusively at Eddie Bauer retail outlets, online or through the company catalog. For more information, please visit eddiebauer.com.

Grand Trunk, the outdoor travel accessories company, will be adding a new line of organic bamboo products. The line includes travel towels, sleep sacks, pillowcases and bed sheets all made from high quality viscose bamboo. This line is Grand Trunk’s solution to find alternative materials that are organic and sustainable.

VF Outdoor, which owns The North Face, Jansport and Lucy, plans to build their new headquarters on Harbor Bay Parkway in Alameda, CA. However, before they can start building they need city leaders to approve their plans of a five-building 205,000 square foot campus that also includes two story office buildings with a café, employee fitness center and conference facilities. The campus will also feature an organic edible garden, a butterfly garden, beach volleyball, basketball court and waterfront trails. This project would generate 650 jobs, could increase the Harbor Bay Business Park’s census by 20 percent, and produce more than $6 million in revenues for the city of Alameda.

Rock On, a company focused on training and guiding in the outdoors, has decided to launch a new line of outdoor apparel. The new line includes shirts, shells and chalk bags for climbing, hiking and outdoor living. The clothing is made of high quality 100% organic cotton and a new high performance hemp/recycled poly blend that the Company claims feels like cotton and performs like standard poly material. The chalk bag line comes in many different colors made from 600D and 300D R/S nylon and includes belts, brush holders and an enclosure for rings or car keys.

Sport Hansa LLC. is now the exclusive U.S. and Canada distributor for five established European outdoor sport brands. This includes Gronell, an alpine, hiking and trekking boot company; Helle, an outdoor knives and cutlery company; Montane, a mountaineering, running and cycling clothing company; Terra Nova, a tent and packs company; and Termoswed, a base layer company. Sport Hansa will provide these companies with knowledge of the North American outdoor market as well as an understanding of the European outdoor business. The U.S. and Canadian customers can access the brands directly from Sport Hansa’s Colorado warehouse.

High Sierra Sport Company is extending its brand into new product categories. The company recently entered into a representation agreement with Global Icons, a licensing and brand merchandising agency specializing in the development and extension of corporate brands and trademarks.