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sos
Trad climber
nyc
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Aug 13, 2014 - 04:44pm PT
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QITNL: Gregory was sold off to raise cash to fund the retail expansion strategy, pay down debt, and cover a stock repurchase program designed to defend the stock price.
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Bad Climber
climber
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Aug 13, 2014 - 05:34pm PT
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What Donini said. Sounds like a sad, stupid choice of CEO. I wonder if there was any way BD could have stayed private and not beholden to stock holders? Seems like that path can ruin a lot of cool businesses. Folks see $$, over reach, and fall into the drink like Icarus. Oh well. I love my Camelots, but I'm more inclined to go with Metolius these days cuz they's made in the UsA.
BAd
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Aug 13, 2014 - 07:09pm PT
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Good riddance.
Maybe the void will be filled by quality climbing gear.
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Studly
Trad climber
WA
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Aug 13, 2014 - 07:15pm PT
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Perhaps they will be getting out of the cam business as well. The hand writing is on the wall with the Totem cams, if BD can't come up with a superior product. I still love my BD cams though, not knocking em.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Aug 13, 2014 - 07:23pm PT
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Dudes....It's always easy to criticize the big guys but, face it, BD makes exceptional climbing gear. Come to Indian Creek, the most cam extensive climbing area on the planet, and you will see 90% camalots.
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stevep
Boulder climber
Salt Lake, UT
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Aug 13, 2014 - 08:58pm PT
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And while I know there are a couple folks here who have a few beefs with Metcalf on a personal level, and who also may not like some of the outsourcing to China, Metacalf has been a huge advocate for outdoor recreation here in UT.
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healyje
Trad climber
Portland, Oregon
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Aug 13, 2014 - 11:11pm PT
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Chouinard / Patagonia and North Face basically got out of the game and got big on softgoods, no surprise BD's going to follow there lead now it's in the hands of those folks.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Aug 14, 2014 - 07:02am PT
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Yeah Steve, I've got a beef with him.
He is a liar.
They are only "principles" if you stick to them when it is not convenient.
He is a four flusher willing to sell out his own people.
But I agree with Yvon, and I'm glad I got to climb in the '60s and '70s when things were so dynamic and interesting. Hell, I even shared a spot in C4 with Peter (I trusted a lot more people back then).
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John Mac
Trad climber
Littleton, CO
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Aug 14, 2014 - 07:04am PT
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I don't know why people are so harsh on BD climbing gear. It's good stuff and well made. Sure, I have a couple sets of totems for aid climbing, but I still use my C4's for everyday stuff.
BD is now a public traded company and they have to keep their shareholders happy, so no one should be surprised by this move. If they stop making ledges, etc., it will just provide more opportunities for the small fish...
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miwuksurfer
Social climber
Mi-Wuk
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Aug 21, 2014 - 03:06pm PT
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This is not surprising but kinda sad.
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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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Aug 21, 2014 - 04:20pm PT
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So whadya think guys, should I be stocking up on Ultra Distance Carbon Trekking poles? Ain't nothin' better for climbing approaches and trail running...
Not exactly cheap now but I'd rather not see new ones on ebay for $1000 'cause they're no longer in production.
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miwuksurfer
Social climber
Mi-Wuk
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Aug 21, 2014 - 05:20pm PT
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Or a crash pad...
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sandstone conglomerate
climber
sharon conglomerate central
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Aug 30, 2014 - 06:57am PT
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Is everything BDE makes now made in China? I bought a new locking biner, proudly made in China.
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Charlie D.
Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
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Aug 30, 2014 - 08:03am PT
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DMT speaks the truth....
Aug 14, 2014 - 04:21am PT
It will spawn new innovation if BD gets out of the climbing business. It will spawn new US business. Maybe the former engineers and designers at BD can start their own company... call it The 100% U.S. Climbing Gear Company.
DMT
ps. please do not sell thru REI.
Leaders like PM don't grow on trees, it will be interesting to see what he does following his legacy at BD. He's certainly signed a non-compete clause that will be in effect as he departs, what BD doesn't retain will be fair game for PM and the many engineers and innovators at the company.
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OR
Trad climber
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Aug 30, 2014 - 08:46am PT
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Good god……anybody remember when TNF started making jeans and leather jackets in the early 90's? Awful. I hope BD does not suffer the same fate.
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Largo
Sport climber
The Big Wide Open Face
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Aug 30, 2014 - 10:15am PT
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The BD brand's strategic direction seems to be the growth of softgoods
Makes sense that if they are bringing on a cloths dude from the Gap to run things, clothing will be their mainstay. But I fear the market won't sustain them. How many different ways can you spin a Gortex parka?
JL
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Srbphoto
climber
Kennewick wa
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Aug 30, 2014 - 09:02pm PT
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Makes sense that if they are bringing on a cloths dude from the Gap
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jstan
climber
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Aug 30, 2014 - 09:13pm PT
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Just one big suit and award for a costume failure and we will once more be up to our chins in climbing hardware.
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Jon Beck
Trad climber
Oceanside
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Aug 30, 2014 - 11:38pm PT
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I agree with Largo, it is all about fashion. I am humored when I travel to Boston and every other person on the subway is decked out in TNF gear. What a racket that company has going. You don't see it as much out here with the warmer weather, but I have seen friends go out and drop 400 bucks on a TNF jacket to take a short trip somewhere marginally cold.
It is hard to squeeze growth out of the hardware market, all they can do is poach from other gear companies customer base. Clothing has way more growth potential.
Problem BDE has is they are over the top on pricing from what I have seen (promotions they have sent me, maybe Amazon/Ebay is cheaper?) and there are a lot of upstart companies with some equally good gear who are very competitive.
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Gnome Ofthe Diabase
climber
Out Of Bed
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Jan 30, 2015 - 12:45pm PT
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bump
snikker,
Got milk?
Low T?
I absolutely must show my appreciation,This and that the soft goods have lasted better than some other brands and the Hard ware, while less so now was the cutting edge for years.
I hope the change at the top is good for the brand Pete Metcaclf, was always approachable
And that was special, and will be missed.
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