Black Diamond Announces Layoffs, Offshore Plans

Utah-based Black Diamond announced plans to move most of it metal-based production out of its Salt Lake factory and send it abroad. In turn, about 70 employees will be laid off from BD’s Salt Lake City factory, or about 50 percent of the manufacturing workforce.

In a statement, the company said, “This is the culmination of a multi-year strategy that defines Black Diamond as an innovative, design-driven company and migrates away from in-house manufacturing. This has not been an easy decision, especially as it relates to the impact it will have on all of our employees. It in no way reflects the performance, progress or capability of our manufacturing team.

“While this decision was difficult to arrive at, we believe the transition improves our business, sets us up for future success in a competitive marketplace and is advantageous for our team of engineers and designers to continue to push the bounds of innovation, safety and quality-driven products,” the statement continued.

The layoffs will happen in a phases approach starting on September 1, through the end of the year.The 62 remaining manufacturing employees were assigned new roles at the company.

The primary product being moved to production oversaeas is carabiners but the move also is expected to include hexes, stoppers, and crampons. According to reports, the Salt Lake facility will be used for assembly, and according to company president John Walbrecht, Black Diamond will continue to assemble Camalots, skins, and ice screws in the Salt Lake City facility.