LifeStraw Announces Partnerships With a Purpose at 2019 Outdoor Retailer Snow Show

January 14, 2019

Aligns With Airstream to Deliver Clean Water Across America; Names Cascade Gear New North America Distributor

DENVER, Colo. and LAUSANNE, Switzerland (January 14, 2019) – (Booth #49060) LifeStraw®, a global leader in developing innovative filtration and purification products for safe drinking water, today announced notable cause-related and new distribution partnerships, with a purpose. LifeStraw will align with Airstream, innovative maker of the iconic “silver bullet” travel trailer, to execute the 2019 “Clean Water Across America” campaign, and named Cascade Gear its new North American distributor, effective immediately.

From May through August, LifeStraw will hit the road with Airstream for a cause-focused campaign that both celebrates the limitless adventures to be found outdoors, furthers efforts to protect outdoor spaces, and advocates for reduction of single-use plastics to protect our watersheds and curtail microplastics in the environment. LifeStraw will introduce this collaborative partnership at the Outdoor Retailer Snow Show in Denver within an Airstream model designed with sustainability in mind, the Airstream Basecamp X.

“With a long history in global humanitarian efforts, LifeStraw has built brand affiliations that extend our efforts to protect our most valuable natural resource, water,” said Alison Hill, managing director of LifeStraw. “Our commitment to safe water access is reflected in every aspect of our business, from product to partnership, as we’ve experienced how every step of the value chain plays an important part in responsible business and creating positive impact. Airstream and Cascade Gear share these same core values.”

LifeStraw Travels Across America with Airstream

For more than 88 years, Airstream has been synonymous with adventure. The company’s iconic and recognizable aluminum trailers are today celebrating a new level of growth as youthful consumers measure self-worth by the adventures they take versus hours labored. “Airstream, known for its proactive programs that encourage outdoor adventure, provides an excellent mobile platform to showcase key LifeStraw products, including our initial foray into the housewares category,” Hill said.

Through “Clean Water Across America,” LifeStraw and Airstream will highlight the importance of clean, safe drinking water and the value of outdoor adventure. To deliver these messages with impact, the team will cross the country in an Airstream. Planned stops, to be announced in April, will include national forests, retail operations and outdoor festivals, among others.

“Airstream was founded with the goal of getting people outdoors to experience the beauty of our world and natural resources, of which water is an integral component,” said Bob Wheeler, CEO and president of Airstream. “LifeStraw’s global mission to provide access to safe and clean drinking water perfectly aligns with our environmentally-focused Leave it Beautiful campaign. Organizations like ours that revere the environment, must not only operate in a caring manner, but must also strive to educate about how each of us can positively impact the natural resources we depend on each and every day.”

Airstream has integrated sustainable practices within its products, supply chain and overall corporate experience. For example, several of the company’s newest trailer models contain EcoBatt® Insulation, made from recycled bottles and sand. In addition, Airstream today uses a Zero Waste to Landfill approach and other thoughtful touchpoints throughout its manufacturing process, from recycling the water used in spray booth, to high-efficiency lighting and air compressors. These sustainable practices naturally led them to partner companies sharing similar philosophies, including LifeStraw.

LifeStraw Names Cascade Gear as North American Distributor

Further extending its purpose-driven business initiatives, LifeStraw named Cascade Gear its new North American distributor, effective immediately. Cascade Gear will serve as the primary source for retailers, particularly those invested in the outdoor and sporting goods channels.

“LifeStraw’s partnership with Cascade Gear bridges retail business operations and fulfillment, while providing customers with a higher level of service,” continued Hill. “Decreasing ship times combined with greater flexibility in inventory distribution will streamline our sales operation. This extension of our distribution channel was encouraged by the rapid growth of the LifeStraw brand and we believe the relationship with Cascade Gear will safeguard our continued growth.”

With more than 30 years of business expertise, Cascade Gear and its group of companies, is a leading distributor of clothing and accessories in the North America.

“Given its historic roots in global access to safe drinking water, LifeStraw was a natural fit for us,” said Michael Thuoin, owner and managing director of Cascade Gear. “Various brands have made the specific choice to establish greater sustainable and philanthropic business practices, an intent that has become incredibly attractive to consumers. Therefore, our role too must shift to distribute cause-focused brands to the buyers that demand them.”

For every LifeStraw product purchased, a child in need receives safe drinking water for an entire year. Launched in 2014, LifeStraw’s Give Back program is one of the largest private investments in safe water for schools in developing countries.

About Airstream

Airstream, manufacturer of the iconic “silver bullet” travel trailer, is the longest-tenured recreational vehicle manufacturer in the world. The company’s mission, as set forth by founder Wally Byam, is to create well-designed, high-quality products that allow people to follow their dreams and explore the world in home-like comfort.

A steadfast commitment to Byam’s credo, “Let’s not make changes, let’s only make improvements,” has made the aluminum Airstream trailer a timeless classic. An unwavering focus on innovation keeps the company at the forefront of technology and customer experience in both the trailer and motorized sectors.

Airstream is based in Jackson Center, Ohio, where a team of skilled craftspeople builds each trailer by hand, adding daily to the brand’s reputation for quality and innovation.

For more information, please visit Airstream.com, call 877-596-6111 or mail us at Airstream, Inc., 419 West Pike Street, P.O. Box 629, Jackson Center, Ohio 45334.

Learn more about Airstream, our dealers, and current travel trailer and touring coach models at airstream.com. For the latest news on Airstream, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

Airstream is subsidiary of Elkhart, IN-based Thor Industries (NYSE: THO), the world’s largest manufacturer of RVs.

About Cascade Gear

Founded in 1980 and headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Cascade Gear and its group of companies, is a leading international distributor of fashion, sports and outdoor clothing and accessories. Cascade Gear maintains full-service distribution centers and showrooms across Canada and in the United States. To learn more about Cascade Gear, visit www.cascadegear.com

About LifeStraw

LifeStraw focuses on innovation of technology that converts microbiologically contaminated water into safe drinking water with products that are designed to fit the needs of the people that use them. The first LifeStraw was the LifeStraw Guinea Worm Filter introduced in 1996, which has been instrumental in the near-eradication of Guinea worm disease. In 2005, the personal LifeStraw filter was introduced for use in developing countries, and the technology has since been time-tested in some of the harshest environments and humanitarian emergencies since then. Today, LifeStraw is used in 64 countries and includes filters and purifiers for households, clinics, schools, and for outdoor recreation, travel and everyday personal use. LifeStraw is sold in North America in retail stores and online at www.lifestraw.com.

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