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Rave About Your Rack Please do not post retail SPAM.

Topic Date User

Alpine Tents - Advice please 14-Mar-2008 At 11:40:54 PM Smellypaddler

Message

Hi guys,

I noticed in the thread some mention of Macpac and Fairydown and thought I would give you the low
down straight from the horses mouth. Jan Cameron who owned Kathmandu sold it to a private equity
firm for a lot of money and THEN she bought the Fairydown brand. Kathmandu has NEVER owned
Fairydown. Early last year Jan sold the Fairydown company to Mouton Noir a New Zealand based
company owned by some very experienced and enthusiastic outdoor enthusiasts. Mouton Noir
recently bought Macpac and has stopped supply to all of its previous distributors in favour of going to
a Vertically integrated retail model. This has upset a few customers but will do completly the opposite
of the post form Mountain Equipment. Instead of lowering choice it will increase choice and lower
prices (perhaps this is why some of the previous customers are upset). For the first time in Australia
you will be able to go to a store and see the entire range of Macpac and Fairydown product under one
roof at a cheaper prce than you are used to. Most of the design team from Macpac have been ept on
board and there are certainly NO plans to make inferior product. On the contrary Macpac now want
to better their brand and continue to make cutting edge product. For those of you who are upset about
Macpac cutting supply take a real look at what used to be offered in your local store compared to the
product range offered by Macpac. Increased competition and market pressure had pretty much forced
Macpac out of most stores and if the company hadn't sold there were plans on board to open retail
outlets anyway in order to combat the increase in OWN BRANDS and self imports which have become
more prevalent in the market place. So obviously there is going to be a bit of a change over period
whilst the new owners find there feet in Australia but please be patient and don't judge the new stores
until you see them and they have gotten settled. At the start they will be a bit rough whilst we clear
through some of the older gear and get some specialist staff on board (Which we will employ) but soon
you will see some great product at some great prices. I may not agree with everything that was sent
out by Moutain Equipment but it was their newsletter and this is a public forum but I would like to say
that you should look at it with an open mind and realise that they are running a business as well. The
only information sent to them stated that we would be opening a vertically integrated model and
everything else they have written is their own speculation. In the meantime if any of you have Macpac
gear that needs warranty please contact remote equipment repairs in Melbourne as we are still
honouring all warranties.