Macpac Outdoors

Macpac Wilderness Equipment was a successful New Zealand company specialising in outdoor adventure equipment. It was best known for backpacks and sleeping bags. On February 1 2008 Macpac was purchased by Mouton Noir.

History

In the early 1970s, Bruce McIntyre dropped out of university, bought a virtually unknown backpack label from a local saddler and started a one-man pack manufacturing operation from his parents' garage.

Equipment

Macpac designs and manufactures a range of outdoor equipment, from its famous backpacks to lightweight adventure tents. One of the most famous Macpac backbacks is the Litealp - it has somewhat become a cult icon, and is extremely popular among New Zealand students.

Manufacturing

In 2003, Macpac decided to move its production to Asia to reduce production costs, with the loss of 150 jobs in Christchurch. Managing director Bruce McIntyre said that the immediate causes were the 40% rise in the New Zealand dollar and the slow-down in international travel.

Sale

In February 2008, the company was sold to Mouton Noir, who were looking to expand after previously purchasing New Zealand's other formerly popular brand, Fairydown Equipment Ltd. Macpac products will no longer be available through third party retailers, and instead will be sold directly by Mouton Noir along with the new Fairydown gear.

External links

* [http://www.macpac.co.nz/ www.macpac.co.nz - Official website]