Osprey Packs
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Outdoor equipment |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Founder | Mike Pfotenhauer, Diane Wren |
| Headquarters | Cortez , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Backpacks, travel equipment |
Number of employees | 300 (2021) |
| Parent | Helen of Troy Limited |
Osprey Packs, Inc, commonly referred to as Osprey, is a U.S.-based producer specializing in outdoor backpacks and travel equipment. Established in 1974 by Mike Pfotenhauer, the company’s main offices are located in Cortez, Colorado. In 2021, Helen of Troy Limited purchased Osprey for $414.7 million.
History
The business was originally founded by Mike Pfotenhauer and Diane Wren in 1974 under the name Santa Cruz Recreational Packs in Santa Cruz, California, concentrating on creating custom backpacks tailored for backpacking enthusiasts.
In 1990, Osprey shifted its operations to Dolores, Colorado, where the workforce was predominantly composed of Navajo employees, making up 90% of the staff. By 1994, manufacturing was transferred to Cortez, Colorado, and by 1999 all company activities were centralized at this location.
The Osprey Aether 60 backpack gained widespread recognition after appearing on the June 18, 2001 cover of Time magazine. It was featured being used by Erik Weihenmayer, a climber who is blind and the first visually impaired individual to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
At the start of the 21st century, Osprey's workforce numbered 92 employees including those in production. To lower manufacturing expenses, the company began outsourcing production to Korea and Vietnam in 2002 but maintained one Navajo seamstress in Cortez to handle warranty repairs.
In 2015, Osprey opened its European headquarters in Poole, England.
By 2021, the company employed around 300 people and reported revenues between $155 million and $160 million. That same year, Helen of Troy Limited acquired Osprey for $414 million.
In 2022, Osprey introduced its UNLTD collection featuring innovative back padding created with patented 3D printing technology aimed at improving airflow and wearer comfort.
Advocacy
Osprey annually supports Breast Cancer Prevention Partners' "Climb Against The Odds" campaign. During this event, an employee raises approximately $6,000 for cancer research while climbing Mount Shasta. The company also provides backpacks as donations for the initiative. In 2021 alone, Osprey contributed over $32,000 in monetary donations and $51,000 worth of products to support 90 organizations worldwide.
In 2017, Osprey publicly opposed Utah Governor Gary Herbert’s proposal to reduce the size of Bears Ears National Monument. Alongside other outdoor industry companies, it withdrew from a biannual trade show held in Salt Lake City as a form of protest against the decision.