More Outdoor Equipment Vendors (or: 'It isn't just Leatherman')

Cascade Designs, Inc. ^ | September 14, 2004

[Traci]

Dear Fellow Americans:

We are business leaders in the outdoor industry and we have come together because we can no longer be silent. Outdoor businesses depend on abundant and available recreation opportunities so our customers can enjoy outdoor activities. In return, outdoor businesses employ over a million Americans, contribute $18 billion to the U.S. economy and work together to promote an active and healthy lifestyle to the 149 million Americans who love the great American outdoors.

In our opinion increasing the number of venues for active outdoor recreation, staunchly protecting the environment, bolstering recreation and conservation funding to our public land agencies and reducing health care costs go hand-in-hand. They are essential for the health and well being of the outdoor industry and its customers.

Senators John Kerry and John Edwards share our values and goals. They know that promoting active outdoor recreation promotes good health. They know that proactively protecting and supporting public lands for recreational use means future generations will enjoy them too. They know that improving the quality of the air we breathe and the water we drink is not negotiable for any industry or business in America. They know that health care costs will continue to increase unless we are united in reducing obesity in America.

John Kerry and John Edwards are committed to preserving our national parks for the benefit of current and future generations. President Bush has promoted policies that break that commitment and endanger the future sustainability of our national parks. President Bush's policies have severely under-funded our national parks resulting in rampant understaffing, site closures, elimination of visitor education programs and neglected cultural and natural resource preservation, demonstrating indifference towards unsafe trails, unclear facilities and the growing shortage of safety staff.

As importantly, the Bush administration has rolled back basic environmental protections that undermine parks including:

Rolling back Clean Air Act requirements that ensure visibility and healthy visits to our national parks; Eliminating federal protections for our public lands that will allow mining, logging and development in national forests; Slashing the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which enables the National Park Service to acquire new land and protect and enhance existing parks facilities. In contrast John Kerry and John Edwards have a plan to protect the scenic landscapes and vistas for the appreciation of future generations through rigorous enforcement of clean air and water regulations and will preserve the resources that embody our cultural heritage through committed funding for parks operations by:

Increasing the operating budget of the National Park Service by $600 million will put our parks back on the path toward recovery and restoration. We will pay for this important objective by modernizing the sale of mineral rights and using the revenue generated to increase the operating budgets of our national parks. We know that Senator Kerry is a champion on the environmental issues that are central to our industry and customers. We also believe that Senator Kerry's economic and health care policies will keep our businesses competitive and health care affordable.

Therefore, we the undersigned are proud to endorse Senator Kerry as the next President of the United States.

Sincerely,

Lee Fromson, president, Cascade Designs (Seattle, WA)

Peter Bragden, vice president, general counsel, Columbia Sportswear (Portland, Oregon)

Menno Van Wyk, CEO, Montrail (Seattle, WA)

Paul Fish, president, Mountain Gear (Spokane, WA)

Carn Nielsen, vice president, Mountain Gear (Spokane, WA)

Dan Nordstrom, CEO, Outdoor Research (Seattle, WA)

Jeff Bowman, vice president, Cascade Designs (Seattle, WA)

Doug Phillips, president, Metolius Climbing (Bend, OR)

Tim Leatherman, president, Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. (Portland, OR)

Dunham Gooding, president, American Alpine Institute, Ltd (Bellingham, WA)

Larry Harrison, president, Earth Games (San Clemente, CA)

Jim Clark, CEO, Watermark (Arcata, CA)

Steve Barker, CEO, Eagle Creek Travel Gear (San Diego, CA)

Peter Metcalf, CEO, Black Diamond (Salt Lake City, Utah)

Ashley Korenblat, president, Western Spirit Cycling (Moab, Utah)

Mike Wallenfels, vice president, Mountain Hardware (Richmond, CA)

Roody Rasmussen, CEO, Petzl America (Clearfield, UT)

Tony Post, president, Vibram (Concord, MA)

Kelly Stone, director sales and marketing, Werner Paddles (Seattle, WA)

Joe Hyer, president, Alpine Experience (Olympia, WA)

Mike Sullivan, president, Sullivan Agency (Wimberley, TX)

Bob Olsen, president, Peregrine Outfitters (Williston, VT)

Michael Crooke, CEO, Patagonia (Ventura, CA)

Brian Bennett, director national accounts, Patagonia (Ventura, CA)

Adam Forest, managing partner, The Forest Group (Lotus, CA)

Gordon Seabury, president, Horny Toad Activewear (Santa Barbara, CA)

Paul Gagner, vice president, Gregory Mountain Products (Temecula, CA)

Tom Campion, founder and chairman, Zumiez Inc. (Everett, WA)

Malcolm Daly, president, Trango (Boulder, CO)

Rodney Smith, president, American Outdoor Products (Boulder, CO)

Joan Keller, president, Le Travel Store (San Diego, CA)

[fish hawk]

Just got an E from Cabelas this morning. They are having a big sale on Leatherman tools. Don't know if this is a coincident or just the timing. I think most sportsmen are fairly conservative Bush people and Cabelas will feel it if they start getting letters from hunters etc. telling them to dump Leatherman tools or else they will buy elsewhere. Just a thought.

[bad company]

Of the companies on that list that I use I don't see one that can't be replaced.

[jamz]

I just sent this to Leatherman...

I'm sorry to be informed of your backing of John Kerry. I've supported your product and suggested it many times to friends and family. I've been in a canoe as I watched my brother-in-law's supertool fall over the side. I've gone back miles to retrieve my Wave that I happened to leave on someone's boat dock where I used it to bait up a Barbie fishing rod for my 3yr old daughter. After hearing your stance in this year's politics, I will no longer suggest or buy your products. Sometimes it's just best to keep your political beliefs to yourself, because in America yes, you do have that right to free speech. But with that right to free speech, you aren't guaranteed a right to be free of scrutiny. So be it.

Thank you,
James Wilkins

[snooker]

It's weird isn't it. The granola bar munchers are a couple light when it comes to reasoning. You wonder how they can actually run a business and make something useful.

I am not for tearing everything up either, but I sure as h@ll don't think wrapping the earth in a big plastic baggie is the way to go.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

I have several of their waterproof boat bags, they make good equipment but they also contribute to Seattle being one of the most liberal places on earth.

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

Lee Fromson, president, Cascade Designs (Seattle, WA)

Peter Bragden, vice president, general counsel, Columbia Sportswear (Portland, Oregon)

Menno Van Wyk, CEO, Montrail (Seattle, WA)

Paul Fish, president, Mountain Gear (Spokane, WA)

Carn Nielsen, vice president, Mountain Gear (Spokane, WA)

Dan Nordstrom, CEO, Outdoor Research (Seattle, WA)

Jeff Bowman, vice president, Cascade Designs (Seattle, WA)

Doug Phillips, president, Metolius Climbing (Bend, OR)

Tim Leatherman, president, Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. (Portland, OR)

Dunham Gooding, president, American Alpine Institute, Ltd (Bellingham, WA)

Larry Harrison, president, Earth Games (San Clemente, CA)

Jim Clark, CEO, Watermark (Arcata, CA)

Steve Barker, CEO, Eagle Creek Travel Gear (San Diego, CA)

Peter Metcalf, CEO, Black Diamond (Salt Lake City, Utah)

Ashley Korenblat, president, Western Spirit Cycling (Moab, Utah)

Mike Wallenfels, vice president, Mountain Hardware (Richmond, CA)

Roody Rasmussen, CEO, Petzl America (Clearfield, UT)

Tony Post, president, Vibram (Concord, MA)

Kelly Stone, director sales and marketing, Werner Paddles (Seattle, WA)

Joe Hyer, president, Alpine Experience (Olympia, WA)

Mike Sullivan, president, Sullivan Agency (Wimberley, TX)

Bob Olsen, president, Peregrine Outfitters (Williston, VT)

Michael Crooke, CEO, Patagonia (Ventura, CA)

Brian Bennett, director national accounts, Patagonia (Ventura, CA)

Adam Forest, managing partner, The Forest Group (Lotus, CA)

Gordon Seabury, president, Horny Toad Activewear (Santa Barbara, CA)

Paul Gagner, vice president, Gregory Mountain Products (Temecula, CA)

Tom Campion, founder and chairman, Zumiez Inc. (Everett, WA)

Malcolm Daly, president, Trango (Boulder, CO)

Rodney Smith, president, American Outdoor Products (Boulder, CO)

Joan Keller, president, Le Travel Store (San Diego, CA)


What if the NRA boycotted all these outdoor companies?

Just wondering...

[Senator_Blutarski]

This is a nice reminder of why my favorite brands include Carhart clothing, Buck Knives, and Red Wing Boots.

Of course, lets not forget: Marlin, Remington, Ruger, Winchester, Browning, Mossberg and Ithaca guns, just to name a few.

[Sam Cree]

Anyone know whether or not the fact that the Columbia Sportswear VP is on the list reflects company policy?

[Traci]

Yeah, my husband and I decided months ago to quit buying from Petzl... and now the rest of the list has us very disappointed.

And yes, we understand that it is inherent that outdoor vendors will embrace the liberal views... it's just too bad that it becomes difficult to do things you enjoy because of it.

[eaglesiniowa]

What's the email address? I want to send him a note that basically says I know a lot of military types - both from my service time and my son's - and I want them all to know this guy's stand and let them buy from Gerber.

[Traci]

LOL!

[Vigilantcitizen]

Oh well, Gerber makes a pretty good tool too.

I switched to a Gerber 2 years ago, and I like it alot better than the old leatherman I had.

[snooker]

What is odd is that endorsing the liberal views closes the very lands they need for their activities. Weird people.

There has got to be a better way than banning everything and closing everything.

[1stMarylandRegiment]

With the exception of Vibram it is easy to find an AMERICAN MADE substitute of the same or better quality for each of these manufacturers.

Note that at least half of them manufcture products for the sheer-face rock climmbing sport, not a very large group.

The garment/hiking/camping/backpacking (Boy Scouts) space is full of suppliers.

[eaglesiniowa]

Dittos. Wolverine, Timberland and Woolrich ain't bad either. They're not on the list either.

[joesnuffy]

Headed over to Cabelas this weekend...will let the dept manager know why I wont be buying
leatherman tools ever again...

Gerber for me

[Traci]

Thanks - I traditionally embrace buying American, however Petzl is a staple for rope-ascention-type specialized gear. I definitely have a reason to look into American companies who might make this type of thing.

Too bad that caving event vendors traditionally sell the French-made/list-company-made equipment... *sigh*

[SeeRushToldU_So]

bttt

[the_devils_advocate_666]

I stole some of your words and I just sent this to Western Spirit Cycling:

Dear Ashley Korenblat,

After having enjoyed a wonderful trip with you company last year, I had planned to schedule more vacations. However, after reading your endorsement of John Kerry for president ( http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040914/145916_1.html ), I can no longer patronize Western Spirit Cycling. Sometimes it's just best to keep your political beliefs to yourself, because in America yes, you do have that right to free speech. But with that right to free speech, you aren't guaranteed a right to be free of scrutiny. I will plan my next trip with Rim Tours and be sure NOT to recommend Western Spirit to any of my acquaintances.

[cherry]

yes, these are the "spandex" type industries....a relative works for one of them, very closely, and retells the horrors...

this relative can't help it...she needs the money and hours are great...

I just tell her to keep her politics to herself, and if all goes well, these leftists will be crying in their latte's come November....