Gerry (company)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Outdoor sports apparel and equipment |
| Founded | 1946 in Ward, Colorado, United States |
| Founder | Gerald "Gerry" Cunningham |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Cold weather clothing, lightweight mountaineering gear, tents, carriers, down jackets, outerwear, accessories |
Gerry represents a label specializing in outdoor sports apparel and equipment, with a current focus on cold weather clothing.
History
The company was established in 1946 in Ward, Colorado by Gerald "Gerry" Cunningham, a veteran of the 10th Mountain Division. Initially, it operated as a mail order business offering lightweight mountaineering gear.
In 1950, Cunningham introduced the triangular carabiner, recognized as the first modern design of its kind, and subsequently created the drawstring clamp (cord lock). By 1953, Gerry tents were utilized during the inaugural successful Everest expedition. The brand launched its first physical retail location in Boulder in 1958.
In 1949, Cunningham also designed the frameless Gerry Kiddie Carrier, with a framed variant patented in 1963. This carrier was widely distributed through Gerry Designs, Inc., which became an independent entity in 1960, achieving sales nearing one million units.
In 1959, Gerry developed a compact survival suit made from nylon and goose down for the US Air Force, intended for use in jets and space capsules. The company broadened its product range to include outerwear, manufacturing some of the earliest lightweight down jackets.
Gerry provided ultra-lightweight equipment for the first American ascent of Mount Everest in 1963 and supplied ski coats to the Olympic Committee for the 1964 Winter Olympics.
Cunningham stepped down from the company leadership in 1971 as it expanded. At that time, Gerry had become a division within Outdoor Sports Industries. Throughout the 1970s, their innovative down apparel enjoyed strong global sales but eventually declined in retail visibility.
Subsequently acquired by New York–based Amerex Group Inc., which oversaw multiple brands, Gerry launched an online presence in 2002 and participated in sponsorship initiatives.
Following Cunningham’s death in 2010, Studio Ray from New York City purchased Gerry and refreshed its product catalog to feature classic outerwear and accessories. By Fall 2012, Gerry merchandise was available at prominent retailers including Macy's, Dillard's, and The Sports Authority, with seasonal lines also offered at Costco. The brand continues to operate a showroom located in New York City.