Amer Sports Joins Ogden’s Fresh Air Club
June 25, 2007
Amer Sports Joins Ogden’s Fresh Air Club
Fresh Air Club promotes biking, bussing and carpooling to work, aiming for city’s goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 5,900 tons each year
OGDEN, UT—The world’s largest sports equipment company announced today their support in a program designed to improve Ogden’s air quality. The new corporate citizen will be joining Ogden’s Mayor on his Fresh Air Friday Initiative – a program focused on reducing air pollution and improving the lives of Ogden citizens. Amer Sports Winter & Outdoor Americas will be backing the program by donating 25 bike racks for Ogden bike commuters, and will be encouraging its own employees to bike or become bus commuters with the help of subsidized bus passes.
This Friday the Mayor will kick off ‘Fresh Air Fridays,’ a program designed to encourage commuters to use alternative transportation means. At the event, Ogden City, the Utah Transit Authority, and the US Forest Service have joined to promote bike safety and education with booths and a community bike ride.
Joining the Fresh Air Friday Initiative as an Employer Partner is only a small part of Amer’s commitment to corporate responsibility with sustainable business practices that help the community. Amer is renovating the abandoned American Can factory into an eco-friendly business campus utilizing the building’s existing structures and resources, reducing landfill waste accumulated from demolition of old materials. “Mayor Godfrey and the citizens of Ogden have been very supportive with our move to the city. We want to give back to Ogden and hope our donation of the bike racks is just the beginning of a long term relationship with our new community. We look forward to contributing to the livability of Ogden for many years to come” said Mike Dowse, President and GM of Amer Sports Winter & Outdoor.
Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey commented, “Amer Sports is the world’s leading sports equipment company. The power of its brands will define Ogden’s presence as the hub for the high adventure recreation business and the organizations that support it. The company’s commitment to sustainability will significantly reduce air pollution and improve the quality of life for all Ogden residents.”
One of the highlights of the festivities this Friday, will be the city’s unveiling of the Salomon Center, a $19.5 million recreation center complete with 66,000 square feet of play area including a wave pool, wind tunnel, climbing wall, arcade, 32-lane bowling alley, billiard room, glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course, bumper cars, children's play area, sports shop, and several restaurants.
Amer Sports Winter & Outdoor Americas will begin operating from the Wasatch Mountain Center in August 2007. The business unit was founded in August 2006 to provide a shared infrastructure for Amer Sports’ US-based winter and outdoor brands including Salmon, Atomic and Suunto.
Founded in 1950, Amer Sports Corporation is the world’s leading sports equipment company with internationally recognized brands including Wilson, Atomic, Suunto, Precor, Salomon and Mavic. Employing more than 6,600 people worldwide, Amer Sports companies develop and manufacture technically advanced products that improve the performance of active sports participants. The Group’s business is balanced by a broad portfolio of sports with a presence in all major markets.