ARC'TERYX

'Arc'teryx' is an outdoor clothing and sporting goods company founded in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in 1989. Needing a larger manufacturing space the company moved its headquarters to Burnaby in 1999. Recently, in 2005, the Arc'teryx head office moved home, back across the Burrard Inlet to North Vancouver. Arc'teryx products are usually associated with climbing, skiing, snowboarding, backpacking, and hiking-related activities.
Originally named ''Rock Solid'' by founders Dave Lane and Jeremy Guard, the company's first line of products were climbing gear. Using a heat laminate (thermolamination) technology, the partners designed and marketed the ''Vapor'' harness, which would become the company's most popular item. In the second year of operations, after a series of relocations and staff additions, Arc'teryx released the ''Bora'' backpack using the same ''Vapor'' technology. In 1996, after obtaining a license from WL Gore and Associates for use of the Gore-Tex fabric, the company adapted it for its new line of outdoor technical apparel.
Using innovative production methods and high qualtiy control, their products are considered high-end and typically command premium pricing (a 2006 pricing guide from US outdoor retailer R.E.I. quoted a price for a Naos 70 backpack at US$475, $150-$200 more than the average price for other packs the same size in its category). Top selling items in their clothing line include the ''Theta AR'' and ''Gamma MX'' jackets. Over the years Arc'teryx's designs have won a number of awards from ''Backpacker'', ''Outside'', ''Climbing'', ''Men's Journal'', and ''Powder'' magazines.^[1]
Arc'teryx Milestones: Skaha Buckle Design - this custom made, epoxy coated piece ended the need for repeated harness retightening, Vapor™ Technology - the Vapor harness introduced 3D thermomolded technology to the climbing world, Bora Hipbelt - a backpack hipbelt manufactured with variable density foams heat molded into pre-curved and cupped shapes that eliminate pressure points, Watertight™ Zippers - urethane coated zippers eliminated the need for waterproof jackets to use bulky double flaps to seal out moisture, AC² Technology - a new backpack fabric with a bondable surface allows components to be laminated directly to the fabric without traditional sewing.
The Arc'teryx LEAF (Law Enforcement and Armed Forces) product line is comprised of equipment targeted to the military and law enforcement markets. Although some items are simply counterparts in design to their civilian models, other items, such as Arc'teryx's ''Tango'' and ''Charlie'' packs, are made in camouflage patterns and constructed to military specification, including numerous MOLLE-type attachment loops and fabric featuring neutral and camouflage coloring. Due to dissatisfaction with the MOLLE gear, the United States Marine Corps chose Arc'teryx's ''Tango'' design for their new backpack, the ILBE.
Today the company is owned by Salomon, now a subsidiary of Amer Sports^[2] of Finland. Arc'teryx head office is in North Vancouver, manufacturing the majority of its products out of its own factory in Burnaby, BC (both suburbs of Vancouver, BC, Canada), though some manufacturing of accessory items has been outsourced to New Zealand, China, and Vietnam.
The name and logo of Arc'teryx refer to the ''Archaeopteryx'', the earliest known bird. The symbol is based on the "Berlin specimen" of the bird, the most complete skeleton to date.

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References

1. Nowakowski, Natasha, ''"Arc'teryx a perfect fit for adidas' Salomon business"'', The Portland Business Journal, November 8, 2002.
2. Crane, Leah, ''"Salomon Sold to Amer Sports"'', Transworld Business Magazine, August 9, 2005

External links

★ Official Company Website

★ Arc'teryx Website dedicated to new GORE-TEX® Pro Shell Outerwear

★ Arc'teryx Website dedicated to AC² Backpack Technology

★ Arc'teryx Law Enforcement & Armed Forces division

★ Long article about Arcteryx (in Danish)