Charlie Adams to lead U.S. division of Level gloves

Charlie Adams to lead U.S. division of Level gloves{mosimage}Level Gloves, the youth-oriented manufacturer of high performance ski and snowboard gloves and widely known for its innovative styling and technology, has established a U.S. based company, Level USA Inc, in Stowe, Vermont. The company was formed in July, 2004. Level is widely recognized among top snowboarders and more recently among top skiers as a performance specialist with unique appeal, technology, and an exceptional stable of pro riders including snowboarders Travis Parker and Dionne Delesalle and skiers J.P. Auclair and Sarah Burke.

Level’s snowboard team manager, Jason Kimball, sheds light on the importance of the US company: ‘Level makes some of the most innovative hand wear in snowboarding so it’s been easy to assemble a killer pro team that’s stoked on the product. Now with our own distribution company we can manage our retail expansion with similar success.’

Level products, previously distributed by Palmer Snowboards, can be found in nearly 300 specialty ski and snowboard shops across 30 states. U.S. sales for 2004 have increased 43 percent over 2003. 85 percent of current sales are in snowboard gloves, but the company’s largest growth segment is in freestyle skiing.

Level is based in Sondrio, Italy, just minutes from the world-famous resort of Bormio, site of the 2005 World Alpine Ski Championships. Level’s owners and management team are world class snowboarders and skiers who maintain a constant on-snow development and testing program. Level has recently become the #1 winter sport glove in Italy and enjoys broad success across all of Europe, where it is the second leading manufacturer of snowboard gloves. Its top-selling Fly model features Biomex, a removable wrist guard that has been proven to reduce the risk of wrist injuries while snowboarding. Another Level innovation is Kirax technology, which stimulates the body’s reflex system for improved circulation and responsiveness. In its latest expansion Level has joined the Norwegian Ski Team Supplier Pool and immediately signed a majority of the vaunted team including World Cup contenders Axel Svindal and Hans Petter Buraas.

Level USA will focus on a youth based market position. As outlined by company president, Charlie Adams, ‘Level is focused on the younger, performance-minded snow rider. Level gloves are obviously different… in attitude, style, and features. For us being different is not only good, it’s absolutely essential.’

Level USA management includes former Dynastar marketing VP, Charlie Adams (President), Bruce Bell (Operations Manager), and Pam Bates (Customer Service). The company’s rider advisory board includes Bud Keene, head coach of the US Snowboard Team, Jason Kimball, team manager, and the Level pro teams.