Thriving Kootenay Outdoor Gear Manufacturers Drive Supply Chain Solution

Thriving Kootenay Outdoor Gear Manufacturers Drive Supply Chain Solution

December 16, 2021

Four spectacular mountain ranges – the western Rockies, Purcells, Selkirks and eastern Monashees – help create the iconic outdoor playground that draws serious adventure sports enthusiasts from around the world to the Kootenay region of British Columbia. The area is a mecca for skiing, snowboarding, cycling, fishing, climbing, hiking and more. All that adventure requires specialized clothing and equipment. As a result, dozens of craft outdoor gear makers have formed a growing industry cluster producing everything from technical clothing, ultralight backpacks and tents to climbing gear and fishing lures. This rapidly evolving cluster was the inspiration for the formation of the industry group, Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Society (KORE), in 2020.

Founded by several outdoor enthusiasts from the Kimberley area, KORE supports its 50 members with education, collaboration and connections while working to incubate more start-ups and attract businesses to the Kootenays. ETSI-BC provided funding to hire two economic recovery advisors in 2021 as part of the Rural Business and Community Recovery Program (RBCR), which it delivers with funding from the Province of BC. An additional ETSI-BC grant of $15,000 was provided to conduct a feasibility study on the potential and benefits of locating a specialized manufacturer in the region.

Supply Chain Challenges Provide Opportunity

Talking to KORE co-founder and Executive Director, Kevin Pennock, it`s obvious the Kootenay craft gear industry is as bold and driven as any extreme mountain skier. The KORE website declares, Kootenay craft gear makers are not afraid. This is a good thing, given the disruption to supply chain activity due to the COVID pandemic which has seriously impacted local outdoor gear manufacturers who rely on supplies from outside the region. Traditional delivery times for supplies of a few weeks have morphed into months and some companies have a wait list of customers they cannot serve.

One of those affected is Durston Gear in Golden, maker of one of the best-selling ultralight backpacking tents in the world. The company is developing a new ultralight tent that uses a high-tech material called Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF). DCF, made in the USA, is half the weight of nylon and polyester commonly used to make tents. Instead of traditional sewing, DCF requires a hot bonding manufacturing process and the primary factory that does this is in China. For Durston Gear, delivery time for the DCF fabric from China has gone from two to 24 months. Most leading tent makers use the Asian factory.

In early 2021, KORE successfully applied to ETSI-BC to fund a feasibility study to determine if such a manufacturing facility could be set up in North America, specifically in the Kootenays. The Society`s business case identified a wide scope of potential economic benefits including investment in technology in the region, increased revenue for local companies, jobs and customers created and retained, contribution to municipal taxes, real estate purchases and leasing, and recognition as an industry cluster of outdoor product manufacturing.

Feasibility Study Leads the Way

Paul Wiest, Business and Economic Development Consultant for ETSI-BC, worked with KORE on the funding process. We could see the (KORE) team knew the craft gear industry inside and out – the potential to grow it and how that could happen. They also realized the value of doing formal research to validate their concept, says Wiest.

Feasibility studies often unearth information and opportunities not even contemplated at the start of the research. Krista Humphrey, co-partner at Wewerke Design which is conducting the study for completion in early 2022. Clearly, there would be significant cost savings in shipping and production costs with access to a local facility that has the specialized technology and capacity our regional outdoor gear producers need. As we look at the technology requirements and equipment involved, such a facility would also meet the needs of many other types of manufacturers, says Humphrey.

With the KORE strength backed by support of ETSI-BC funding to advance key sectors in the region, We believe the Kootenays could be the Silicon Valley for outdoor gear manufacturing of the north, says Pennock. We are leading the way in the evolution of the craft gear industry, he continues. The outdoors is a way of life here and outdoor gear manufacturing industry is a catalyst for significant long-term economic growth in the Kootenays and beyond.

CFNO has created two videos to tell more stories about the RNIP program. Hear about the success of the program by clicking on the links to Interior Homecare Solutions and SilverStar Resort located in the North Okanagan.

More News & Stories

Data Diggers – a Community of Practice

March 21, 2024 – We invite you to join the Data Diggers Community of Practice! This is a group of practitioners who dig data, dig digging into data, and want to dig themselves out of data into knowledge and insights.

Thompson-Okanagan Team Takes to the World Stage to Address Workforce Shortages

The Thompson-Okanagan region is a well-known Canadian tourist destination, it is not immune to the shortage of skilled workers experienced in many Canadian communities. International recruitment is considered a key tool for addressing worker shortages in the area. With the support of the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), three major economic development organizations collaborated to market the region at the world’s largest emigration event in Houten, Netherlands in 2023. The initiative has led to an ongoing strategy to attract new talent and help the region grow and thrive.

North Shore Business Improvement Association Validates Return on Investment

Kamloops’ North Shore Business Improvement Association (NSBIA) has grown significantly since its inception, but after almost three decades, it was time to validate its strategic direction and value proposition to members and stakeholders. With the support of the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the NSBIA conducted a Membership Engagement and Return on Investment Project in 2022 which confirmed its good work and where the organization goes next.

Celebrating a Successful Research Funding Partnership

It’s been three years since the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) and Mitacs launched their research funding partnership serving the Southern Interior of BC, and they are excited to share some key outcomes and reflect on future opportunities.

Revitalizing Downtown Hope – Planning for a Resilient Future

Visitors to Hope are discovering that the community is much more than a convenient gas and pit stop off the highway when travelling to and from the Lower Mainland. As a new downtown revitalization strategy rolls out, a more vibrant and engaging downtown area is emerging, drawing both residents and tourist traffic into the area, and creating new economic opportunities. The project was supported with funding from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).

Boston Bar & North Bend Make Plans to Revitalize Economy

The pioneering spirit associated with the early history of Boston Bar and North Bend is evident again. The area was once one of the richest gold mining areas in Canada, later supported by forestry. But after a major mill closed in the 1980s, many people moved away and the economy began to decline. With the support of the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the community conducted an analysis of its needs, strengths, and opportunities, renewing the promise of a strong and sustainable future.

Fostering Entrepreneurship at Post-Secondary Institutions in 2024

January 24, 2024 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) has supported the 6 public post-secondary institutions (PSIs) in the Southern Interior of BC since 2008 with funding of over $7.3 million.

ETSI-BC Spring 2024 Funding Intake Opens March 11

January 17, 2024 – ETSI-BC is pleased to announce Spring Funding Intake is open March 11 – April 12, 2024.

Marketing Campaign Creates a Mountain of Opportunities for Sun Peaks

The momentum continues as Sun Peaks Resort rolls out a marketing and awareness campaign to create a more resilient and sustainable economy in the post-pandemic era. Supported by the Economic Trust of Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the project is attracting more diverse customers with new options for meeting and event space at the world-class Sun Peaks Centre.

Columbia Valley’s Special Events Strategy Builds a Year-Round Destination

Special events have been part of the tourism offering in the Columbia Valley, and they provide significant economic benefits to the region’s economy. During COVID-19, however, several signature events were shut down. Costs were increasing, travel was declining and the area was facing competition from events from other communities. With the support of ETSI-BC, the communities of the Columbia Valley came together to develop an events development strategy that has put the region on course to become a primary event destination.