Montane Expands U.S. Sales Force In Key Markets

Neskowin Outdoor, Inc., the North American brand management and distribution firm for MONTANE a leading UK- based technical apparel brand, announce the expansion of the brand’s North America sales presence.

Effective immediately Jake Linford of Gear Sling, LLC will serve the Pacific Northwest and Central to Northern California, while Canice Harte of Grit Group will take on the Rocky Mountains. Nick and Amanda Robinson with Core Goods will manage Montane’s presence in the North East, Mid Atlantic and Southeast territories.

The first brand to bring Featherlite® apparel and equipment to the outdoors 25 years ago, Montane continues to grow its North American specialty retail presence. With over 10 years in the U.S. market, the brand has become synonymous with lightweight, breathable clothing and equipment for the fast and light user.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for Montane’s North American growth," says Walt Crate, principal with Neskowin Outdoor. "We've built a specialty retail-focused team to serve our growing partner network in the US and Canada, while continuing to invest in the retail community. We’re thrilled to have strong sales agencies servicing a broader geographical base of the very best outdoor and trail running retailers in North America.”

Based in Portland, OR, Jake Linford and Andrew Stone of Gear Sling will cover AK, WA, OR, NOCAL, ID, and MT, bringing years of experience in the outdoor and active fitness markets. “Having spent a lot of time in the UK with British family heritage, I’m proud to be working with an iconic, premium British brand like Montane,” says Jake Lindford, principal of Gear Sling, LLC. “I only put the best brands in my van!”

Grit Group, a firm headed by industry veteran, avid adventure racer and runner Canice Harte, will cover the Rocky Mountain region, including CO, UT, NM, and WY. Harte discovered the brand while participating in the Montane Spine endurance race. “The brand’s Further, Faster® ethos speaks to me, and the lightweight without compromise performance apparel and packs are a perfect fit for Rocky Mountain retailers looking to attract the youthful minded, high intensity mountain consumer,” says Canice Harte, President of Grit Group.

According to Nick Robinson, principal of Coregoods, a multi-label, brand building agency: “I am excited to work with Montane North America, and expand our territory with an authentic outdoor brand that understands our customers and their challenges in today’s omni-channel landscape. Montane delivers globally awarded outdoor apparel and gear to some of the best independent retailers in New England and our team is excited to expand growth in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast as well.”

Montane engineers innovative, award winning and competitively priced products for fast-paced activities in extreme environments. Montane athletes test products to the limit at Montane sponsored events such as the Tor des Geants, Spine Race, Lakeland 100 and Yukon Arctic Ultra. The result is the lightest, toughest and most functional products available on the market today.

British brand Montane was founded 25 years ago. It engineers innovative, lightweight, breathable clothing and equipment for endurance sports and activities in some of the world’s most extreme environments. Montane works with leading expeditions and athletes in the world’s mountainous regions, supporting climbing, mountaineering, polar exploration and endurance trail running as well as sponsoring the world’s leading ultra-distance endurance events. This expertise is used to create a collection of running, walking and mountaineering clothing that is developed to withstand some of the most extreme conditions and environments on the planet, allowing everybody who experiences the quality of Montane to go FURTHER. FASTER.

Based in Portland, Oregon - NKO is a progressive brand building firm specializing in strategic sales and marketing planning, economically sustainable go-to-market strategies, omni-channel management, distribution and general management for outdoor and sport focused brands. 

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