Bend’s Hydro Flask joins German trade mission
Business Oregon will lead an Oregon delegation of five outdoor gear and apparel companies, including Bend’s Hydro Flask, to an outdoor trade show in Germany this week, officials said Wednesday.
Another 13 Oregon outdoor firms will also either appear at the show or promote themselves in the Oregon Outdoor booth.
The OutDoor Friedrichshafen show takes place July 10 -13 and is considered Europe’s premier outdoor industry event. It features more than 900 exhibitors from 40 countries showcasing their products and services.
“Nike and Columbia Sportswear aren’t here by accident. Oregon has emerged as a global leader in the outdoor gear and apparel industry, in part because we are the place where customers come to play and to push their gear to the limit,” said Business Oregon Director Sean Robbins.
“That is why we work hard every day to help Oregon’s outdoor gear designers and manufacturers find customers all around the world so they can grow back here in Oregon,” Robbins added.
Business Oregon will provide export assistance grants to five firms to help defray their costs of attending the show. Those companies include Oregon City’s FixnZip, climbing pack maker CiloGear, climbing apparel maker NW Alpine, stainless steel bottle maker Hydro Flask and ultralight equipment maker Six Moon Designs of Beaverton.
Business Oregon offers matching grants of up to $5,000 to Oregon companies to help defray the expense of traveling to trade shows around the world, and can also provide technical assistance and expertise to Oregon companies seeking export markets for their products.
Business Oregon also has worked on export assistance with two other Bend businesses — dog outdoor gear-maker Ruffwear – http://www.oregon4biz.com/story.php?storyID=181 – and KIALOA Paddles – http://www.oregon4biz.com/story.php?storyID=107 – officials said.
Since 2012, Business Oregon has awarded 240 grants totaling $804,303 to 222 Oregon companies. As a result, these Oregon firms report an estimated $29 million in immediate sales, and another $105 million in projected future sales as a result of the trade shows appearances.
