FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Pacific Outdoor Equipment Moves Warehouse to Bozeman Headquarters and Makes it Employee Owned

Bozeman, Montana, July 22, 2009 - Pacific Outdoor Equipment, makers of durable camping, paddling and cycling gear, is moving its warehouse from California to the company's headquarters in Bozeman, Montana. Unique to this move, the new warehouse will be an employee-owned entity giving Pacific Outdoor Equipment's staff an opportunity for a stake in the company.

Moving the warehouse to Pacific Outdoor Equipment's headquarters will streamline back office operations and reduce over-head costs. This will allow Pacific Outdoor to better service dealers with ASAP orders as many retailers have become very focused on just-in time delivery. “We are responding to the requests of retailers. Our accounts want it easier to get the gear they want, when they want it,” says VP of Operations Case Carpenter. The consolidation of headquarters and warehouse will allow Pacific Outdoor Equipment to immediately react to immediate retail demands.

"Even more substantially, the move gives our employees a larger stake and opportunity in the business," states Greg Garrigues, Pacific Outdoor Equipment's President. "The employees in the warehouse will become landlords, leasing the space back to the company." Pacific Outdoor Equipment financed the warehouse through the United State's Small Business Administration to make it possible for employees to participate as owners in part of the business. Garrigues adds, “We not only appreciate the business case for the move, but also have appreciated the pride of ownership the staff is taking during the process of acquisition. This is good for everyone’s enthusiasm.”

To further fit the company's culture and dedication to the outdoor lifestyle, Pacific Outdoor Equipment's new Bozeman warehouse sits directly adjacent to East Gallatin River and the Gallatin Valley Land Trust’s extensive trail system. The Bozeman location offers employee's backyard access to trail running, fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, nordic skiing. and even speed skating, which all make for an amazing lunch break.

Pacific Outdoor Equipment’s mission is to create and deliver the highest quality, best designed outdoor gear imaginable, and to have a great time doing it! Good Gear = Less Waste. Which is why POE’s sleeping pads, dry bags, urban packs, camping accessories and bike pannier bags are built to last. Raising the bar in lightweight performance, packability, water resistance and welded airtight construction -- all while incorporating innovative eco-sensitive practices since 1983. www.pacoutdoor.com

Press contact: Ripple Effect Relations • e: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it • p: 970.274.0753