ALTBERG
Altberg is a specialist British boot-making company based in Richmond, North Yorkshire, famous for offering five width fittings in its top-quality walking boots, guaranteeing better comfort.
The company manufactures in the Richmond facility, plus factories in Italy and Romania. The craftsmen at Altberg have 40 years of boot-making experience, and their boots are a testament to the skills and knowledge built up over many years.
As the Senior Bootmaker and company owner Mike Sheehan puts it; “In the early days of Altberg, we had some days when we had no money, no orders, and the machines kept breaking down. I didn’t know if we could last another week… but I was taught, by a good man who had survived the dark days of the 1930s, and he would say “When times are bad, just concentrate on making good boots… there’ll always be someone who wants a pair of good boots” and that’s what we did, and that’s what we still do.”
SALEWA
Salewa is purely and simply a top-quality mountain brand that spans pretty much every product category.
Founded in 1935 in Munich, Germany, the family-owned company now has its global headquarters in the heart of the Dolomites in Bolzano, Italy. Employing 550 people globally, Salewa designs and markets products across four categories: apparel, footwear, equipment and technical hardware.
BRITISH MOUNTAINEERING COUNCIL (BMC)
The BMC is the representative body that protects the freedom and promotes the interests of climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers.
Ascent Marketing Communications assisited the BMC in creating a fresh, new, modern visual identity for the organisation giving more appeal to both young and old, whatever their mountain activity.
Ascent Marketing also reviewed the BMC’s communications strategy and advised on solutions to consistently and concisely communicate the BMC’s identity, its activities, value and benefits. The review covered all BMC communications vehicles and evaluated the real benefits of the literature for each user group.
DYNAFIT
Dynafit is a specialist mountain endurance sports brand famous for its ski touring products - both hardware and clothing - plus increasingly its trail running footwear and apparel.
The company develops its products based on a complete performance system, focused on gear that is as light, reliable and efficient as possible. Based in the Alps, Dynafit products are mostly made in Europe, and the company is part of the family-owned Oberalp Group.
EUROPEAN OUTDOOR GROUP
The EOG is the main association set up to represent the common interests of the European outdoor industry, founded in 2003 by nineteen of the world’s largest Outdoor companies.
In 2006 the EOG Association for Conservation was launched, an initiative with the objective of protecting wild areas. The group is independent from the main EOG and is designed to harness the power of the Outdoor industry, raising money to donate to grassroots conservation groups. Ascent Marketing Communications organised trade show fund-raising events for the EOG Association for Conservation that raised money, awareness and encouraged outdoor retailers and suppliers to become members.
The company was also instrumental in gaining PPE Cat III classification for ice tools at the European Commission, a particularly important result for hardware manufacturers distributing ice tools in Europe. Ascent Marketing Communications created a multimedia presentation for the EC commissioners that marshalled persuasive new facts and successfully carried the argument.
EXPED
Simply put, Exped means 'Expedition Equipment'.
Since 1997 the Exped team, based in Switzerland, has been designing and building high-quality, specialised gear for the active outdoor enthusiast. Equipment designed to appeal to everyone, whether hiking the Appalachian Trail or climbing in the Himalaya.
Every user expects their equipment to meet exacting standards. Exped builds products intended to surpass those expectations.
You won't find any superficial 'extras' - just the minimum, straightforward features and tools that function well. Unnecessary features that increase weight but add no value or utility are left out. Featuring ingenious simplicity, superb craftsmanship with lightweight, durable materials, Exped maximises your outdoor experience with the minimum of gear.
GREGORY
Wayne Gregory designed his first backpack as part of a Boy Scout project. In 1970 Wayne started his first company, Sunbird, then in 1977 founded Gregory Mountain Products in San Diego, California. Ultimately, Wayne realised that in the backpack business fit was king, and he pioneered many firsts, including being the first to build backpacks in different frame, harness and waist belt sizes; the first (and still only) pack manufacturer to develop a hipbelt system that adjusts to fit different hip angles, automatically improving load transfer; and developing the centre-locking bar tack, a stitch that ends and locks off on the centre of a seam instead of the side for increased strength at major stress points. From the earliest days, Gregory packs were noted for innovative design, ergonomic and comfortable fit. Now owned by Samsonite International, the company’s obsession with quality, comfort and durability still continues today.
GSI OUTDOORS
Beginning with a few pieces of blue enamelware and a smattering of campfire accessories, GSI Outdoors continued to grow and expand into the design and manufacture of an ever growing line of outdoor cookware, tableware and accessories. Based in Spokane, USA, GSI Outdoors products are known for superior quality, technical performance, innovative design and most of all, a fun-loving attitude towards the outdoor experience.
HYDRAPAK
The US-based company Hydrapak makes world-class, innovative hydration products. The Hydrapak story started with the belief that there is a better way to hydrate. From there, the Reversible Reservoir was born and they’ve been relentlessly creating better hydration solutions ever since. Whether it’s a simple refinement or inventing a new category, it’s this convergence of design and innovation that makes the company different. For nearly two decades, they’ve been pushing the boundaries of hydration to create rugged, safe, and more reliable products designed to go with you anywhere.
KATADYN
Katadyn offers a wide variety of water filtration and purification products, creating safe drinking water for outdoor enthusiasts and travellers.
Katadyn provides water systems for every need – travel, camping, backpacking, sailing, paddling, fishing, biking, etc.
Katadyn's unique products provide safety and convenience for many user groups including NGOs, charities and outdoor adventurers worldwide. No other water system provides higher quality or longer lasting performance.
KENDAL OUTDOOR RETAIL SHOW (KORS)
The Kendal Outdoor Retail Show (KORS) trade show exhibited at Kendal’s Leisure Centre from 2005 to 2018 - a focused, no-frills outdoor trade event.
Ascent Marketing Communications handled the organisation, PR and marketing for the show.
KENDAL MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL
Every autumn Kendal, on the edge of the Lake District, hosts one of the most prestigious Mountain Festivals in the world. Thousands of outdoor enthusiasts, athletes, artists, photographers, adventurers, explorers and inspirational speakers gather every year to share adventures and celebrate the very best in outdoor and adventure sports culture.
At the heart of Kendal’s programme is the International Film Competition, attracting premières from around the world. Over 70 films are screened with eleven awards up for grabs. However Kendal Mountain Festival is not all extreme action - you can experience culture, drama, wildlife and environmental documentaries, plus a huge lecture programme.
Other highlights include art exhibitions, literature, the coveted Boardman Tasker Prize for Mountain Literature, plus the legendary Specialist Sessions
England's tourism promotion body Visit England awarded Kendal the coveted title of 'Tourism Event of the Year' in 2014.
Clive Allen, founder of Ascent Marketing Communications, is also a Director of Kendal Mountain Festival.
LA SPORTIVA
La Sportiva is the footwear brand of choice for mountain activists the world over. Leading climbers use La Sportiva climbing shoes and boots because they know how important the right footwear is to ensure peak performance.
La Sportiva is also a major ski mountaineering gear, trail running shoe and apparel manufacturer. The range of 'skimo' equipment includes the class leading Spectre boot, perfect for lightweight freetouring and complemented by a range of skimo specific clothing and skis. In the increasingly popular trail running sector the Helios SR and Bushido shoes are becoming a firm favourite for UK runners who like their runs wild and rugged.
If you are looking for your next pair of climbing or trail running shoes, ski or mountain boots, you won't go wrong with a pair of "Sportivas" – true innovation with passion!
SILVA
Founded in Sweden in 1933, the company’s foundation product was the first-ever liquid-filled compass; still one of the product categories that Silva is world-famous for today. Their compasses set the global standard for how outdoor navigation works.
Then in 1935, Silva launched its first head torch. Today it is a market leader, its top-quality head torches designed to give the best experience for any activity, whether it’s running, skiing, biking, hiking or backpacking.
With Silva products you can find your way anywhere you want, at any time of the day, and in any conditions.
NORTEC
Nortec is an Italian company based in Trevisana, dedicated to manufacturing the best lightweight crampons and traction devices for shoes. From the world’s lightest running crampon, to easy-fit devices for those who simply want to walk safely on snow-covered trails, all Nortec products feature beautiful design and engineering.
ORTLIEB
In 1982, Hartmut Ortlieb founded ORTLIEB in Nürnberg, Germany. Hartmut's first products were dry bags and bicycle panniers, hand-made from truck tarps on his mother's sewing machine in preparation for long bicycle and climbing tours.
From these humble beginnings, the company has developed into a leading high-tech enterprise with 100 employees. The collection has grown to include over 300 individual products. Even today, everything is located under one roof; from development to engineering, production, sales and marketing and shipment.
ORTLIEB products are characterised by tightly sealed closure systems such as roll closures, waterproof zippers, velcro, or sliding seal closures and high frequency welded seams - all of which ensure that Orlieb products are 100% waterproof and dustproof ensuring your kit is protected from the worst elements.
