Peltonen Appoints Alpina Sports As North American Distributor

Peltonen Ski Oy (Peltonen), one of the leading manufacturers of cross country skis, has appointed US based Alpina Sports Corporation (Alpina Sports) as their distributor in USA and Canada effective from January 1, 2008.

Peltonen will round out the Alpina Sports offering with World Class Racing, Top Level Sport Performance and Traditional Touring skis. Alpina will continue to also offer its own complementary ski brand designed for the North American Touring and BC markets.

Peltonen’s Managing Director Juhani Eskelinen notes that the appointment of Alpina is an important step in Peltonen’s distribution plan: “We had a very long and positive relationship with our Canadian Distributor but had nothing that could compare with what Alpina Sports can offer in terms of the total North American market access or reputation. For the Peltonen brand, this is an excellent opportunity”.

According to Alpina Sports’ Vice President of Sales, Steve Kvinlaug, “We have been speaking with Peltonen for the last few years. The relationship just jelled and the door opened for us to bring the brand on as our top performance ski line. We are very excited about the product; it has a solid history and a real technology advantage with the patented Hybtonite Nanoepoxy construction and the first in the industry 9 click NIS binding plate.”

Rapala VMC Corporation (Rapala), a leading fishing tackle and sporting goods manufacturer and distributor, is the main owner of Peltonen with its 80% shareholding. Rapala’s own distribution companies sell Peltonen skis and other winter sports equipment in the Nordic counties.

For more information, please contact:

Juhani Eskelinen, Peltonen Ski Oy, juhani.eskelinen@peltonen.fi, tel. +358 40 521 2544
Steve Kvinlaug, Vice President Sales, Alpina Sports Corporation, s.kvinlaug@alpinasports.com 603 448 3101

Peltonen is one of the leading brands in the cross-country skis in Europe and the Nordic countries. Peltonen’s ski factory is located in Hartola, Finland, some 130 km north of Helsinki. For more information, see www.peltonenski.fi.

Peltonen’s parent; Rapala is a leading fishing tackle company worldwide and a leading distributor of hunting, outdoor and winter sports equipment in the Nordic countries. The Group brand portfolio includes global fishing tackle brands like Rapala, VMC, Storm, Blue Fox, Luhr Jensen, Williamson, Marttiini and the winter sports brand Peltonen. The Group, with net sales of EUR 227 million in 2006, employs more than 4,000 people in 29 countries.