Black Diamond Equipment
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Outdoor equipment manufacturing |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Founder | Yvon Chouinard |
| Headquarters | Holladay, Utah , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Peter Metcalf (former CEO) |
| Products | Climbing gear, skiing equipment, mountain sports gear |
| Owner | Clarus Corporation |
| Website | www |
Black Diamond Equipment specializes in manufacturing gear for climbing, skiing, and mountain sports, with its main headquarters located in Holladay, Utah and an international office based in Innsbruck, Austria. The company operates under the ownership of Clarus Corporation, which also controls brands such as Pieps and ClimbOn! Skincare.
History
The foundation of Black Diamond dates back to the late 1950s when climber Yvon Chouinard, who founded the company, began crafting pitons by hand in Yosemite Valley through his enterprise Chouinard Equipment Ltd. Originally situated in Ventura, California, the brand earned recognition for producing high-quality climbing gear.
Facing financial difficulties and product-liability litigation, Chouinard Equipment filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1989. Subsequently, on December 1 of that year, Black Diamond was established when a group of former employees, led by CEO Peter Metcalf, purchased the company's assets. In 1991, Metcalf relocated the business along with its 45 staff members to the Salt Lake City vicinity to capitalize on proximity to the Wasatch Mountains, aligning with a strategic focus on climbing and skiing markets.
The company expanded internationally by founding Black Diamond Equipment Europe in Reinach, Switzerland in 1996 to boost its European market presence. A decade later, in 2006, Black Diamond Equipment Asia was launched in Zhuhai, China to serve as a manufacturing and distribution center supporting worldwide operations.
Clarus Corporation acquired Black Diamond in May 2010 for $90 million, incorporating it into a larger portfolio and listing it publicly on NASDAQ under the symbol CLAR. This acquisition strengthened Clarus’s position within the outdoor equipment industry.
Additional growth initiatives included enlarging manufacturing operations in Utah during 2015 and moving the European headquarters from Switzerland to Innsbruck, Austria in 2016 to enhance regional influence.
In 2024, Black Diamond earned UL Solutions certification for integrating recycled aluminum into multiple product lines, underscoring its dedication to sustainable production methods as part of its corporate philosophy.
Products
Black Diamond Equipment develops and produces gear for climbing, skiing, and mountain sports activities. Its climbing lineup features carabiners, quickdraws, harnesses, both active and passive climbing protection, belay devices, helmets, ice tools, crampons, ice screws, bouldering pads, and equipment designed for big wall climbing. The company’s portfolio also includes skiing and avalanche safety products alongside mountain essentials like tents, lighting solutions, trekking poles, and backpacks.
The brand has grown through acquisitions such as Bibler tents (1997), Ascension climbing skins (1999), and Franklin climbing gear (1998). In 2010, Black Diamond purchased Gregory Mountain Products, a backpack manufacturer, but divested it to Samsonite in 2014.
Notable products include the Camalot spring-loaded camming devices and Magnetron carabiners that utilize magnetic auto-locking gates with steel inserts to improve security.
As is common within safety equipment sectors, Black Diamond has initiated several product recalls to address identified safety issues.
Social justice and environmental initiatives
In June 2020, Black Diamond committed $250,000 to enhance outdoor opportunities for athletes of color amid widespread protests addressing police brutality. The company confronted scrutiny over its connection to Clarus Corporation CEO Warren Kanders, who also led Safariland, a producer of tear gas deployed against demonstrators. This association prompted calls from activists and several climbing organizations for a boycott of Black Diamond. In response to the criticism, Safariland announced it would divest from its crowd control product lines, including tear gas.
Clarus Corporation encountered disapproval regarding its board's lack of diversity from the pension fund CalPERS, which urged shareholders to oppose the re-election of chairman Warren Kanders and two additional directors. Nevertheless, Kanders and other board members retained their positions following the June 2020 vote.
Until its divestiture in 2024, Clarus held ownership of ammunition manufacturer Sierra Bullets. Back in 2018, Clarus closely observed industry conversations about firearms and potential boycotts within the outdoor sector.
Peter Metcalf, former CEO of Black Diamond, was recognized for his political activism in favor of public lands and outdoor recreation, aligning with industry leaders to counteract policies perceived as threats to these resources.
Black Diamond prioritizes environmental responsibility by implementing waste recycling programs, harnessing wind and solar energy, and supporting nonprofit organizations dedicated to conservation.