DMM Launches Expansion in North American Climbing Market

June 5, 2019

Premium UK hardware manufacturer intensifies efforts in North America

BOULDER, Col, June 5, 2019 – DMM, the last remaining UK-based climbing hardware manufacturer, announced expansion plans for the North American market today that include a new U.S. office, new sales structure, and focused product assortment to serve specialty outdoor retailers and climbing gyms.

DMM North America LLC has recently appointedMark Busby as VP of North American Sales and Marketing to lead the expansion. Busby was most recently with SCARPA North America, where he spent three years living in Boulder, Colo., working as the Climbing Category Manager, focusing on repositioning the rock shoe collection both within the brand, and ahead of the competition. A lifelong climber, Busby will split time between DMM’s factory headquarters in the UK and the new North American operation.

“We have full confidence in Mark Busby as our new leader for the brand in North America, a market which offers a huge opportunity for us,” said Richard Rust, CEO of DMM. “Mark is exceptional at creating mutually beneficial partnerships; he has a fantastic understanding of the North American climbing market and community, particularly coming from his very successful time at SCARPA North America and the experience and relationships he grew there.”

DMM is a craft manufacturer of climbing hardware and has built a trusted, ironclad reputation for innovation and safety, globally, over the past 38 years. In Spring 2020, DMM will offer a refined range of award-winning climbing hardware, new branding and marketing collateral, and a strategic package built for outdoor specialty retailers and experiential climbing gyms. The regional sales teams will be announced soon, and the company invites interested retailers to engage at the upcoming Outdoor Retailer Summer Market.

“It’s always been about product for me, and DMM’s climbing hardware has always been well respected by climbers all over the world,” Busby said. “I’m thrilled to be back in the community with this incredible opportunity and I look forward to growing a fantastic team who share my commitment to provide the best product and customer service. Together we intend to make DMM the go-to hardware brand partner for climbers. I hope our existing specialty and gym retailers will be very happy with our focused offering.”

 DMM CEO Richard Rust adds, “A big thank you to Steve and Lisa, owners of Excalibur Distribution, for introducing DMM to the U.S. market 26 years ago, and working so hard to establish our American story since then.” Excalibur will stop distribution of DMM at the end of 2019, but will continue representing their other brands.

 About DMM

Founded in 1981, DMM is the world’s premium climbing hardware manufacturer. Headquartered in the Llanberis Pass, part of Snowdonia National Park in North Wales, DMM’s reputation for product innovation and quality in all facets – from design through manufacturing – is unmatched.

All new and existing retailers are invited to visit DMM North America at this year’s Outdoor Retailer Summer Market June 18 – 20, 2019 in Denver. Please send your regional DSR a message to book an appointment at our booth #36089-UL. To learn more about the brand, please visit www.dmmclimbing.com.

Regional Contacts:

United States
Pacific Northwest: AK, ID, MT, OR, WA
USAWestDSR@dmmwales.com
Southwest: AZ, CA, NV, HI
Rockies: CO, NM, UT, WY
Mid-West: IA, IL, MN, MO, ND, NE, SD, WI
USAEastDSR@dmmwales.com
South Central: OK, LA, TX, AR, KS
Northeast: CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT
Southeast: AL, FL, GA, IN, MI, MS, NC, OH, SC, TN, VA, WV

Canada 
Western Canada: AB, BC, MB, NT, SK
CanadaWestDSR@dmmwales.com
Eastern Canada: ON, NB, NS, NF, PE
CanadaEastDSR@dmmwales.com

North America
North American Customer Services
CSR@dmmwales.com