February 24, 2005

Ruff Wear Strategically Expands North American Sales Force

February 24, 2005 (Bend, Ore.) - Ruff Wear, the leading producer of gear For Dogs On The Go®, has announced that it is expanding its sales force in North America to meet the needs of customers in both the outdoor retail and specialty pet markets.

The new sales representatives augment the talented and enthusiastic sales force currently in place in the US. Ruff Wear looks forward to continuing to grow the brand as the performance dog gear leader in both markets through these expanded efforts. Fifteen independent sales representatives now cover the entire country for Ruff Wear.

New additions in the Midwest include Judy Bard of Evanston, Illinois and Susan Lutz of Willowbrook, Illinois. Bard has headed up Athletes in Motion, a manufacturers representative company, since 1979, and will service, sell and clinic the states of Illinois and Missouri. Lutz has previously implemented sales programs and strategies for Sears Roebuck & Co. as well as KohlÅfs Footwear Division, Flojos Sandals and other notable brands. Lutz will work to expand Ruff Wear distribution in both pet and outdoor stores in Indiana and Michigan. Julie Weeks of Wayzata, Minnesota will head up North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.

Hailing from TravelerÅfs Rest, South Carolina, Cynthia Farris-Kelly recently joined the team and will represent Ruff Wear (Outdoor & Pet) in the states of North & South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia. Cynthia and her husband, Jim, owned and operated an outdoor specialty store for eighteen years, sold it and have been independent sales reps ever since!
In the west, David Lane and Dana Lynn Davol Muxen will be representing Ruff Wear in northern California, northern Nevada and Hawaii. Lane and Muxen have vast collective experience with a broad range of outdoor brands from Mountain Hardwear to Eagle Creek to The North Face.

Additionally, Ruff Wear has expanded current representative Dave CockburnÅfs territory to include New Mexico in addition to southern California, southern Nevada and Arizona. In the east, Andy Molter will add Virginia to his territory, which currently spans Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Washington DC.

Ruff Wear, For Dogs On The Go®, produces high quality dog gear for all walks of canine life. Designed with dogs foremost in-mind (and their humans) Ruff Wear's extensive product line ensures your canine adventures are always enjoyable, from a walk in the park, to a hike on a favorite trail, to a day on the river. Based in Bend, Oregon, Ruff Wear sells its products through specialty pet and outdoor retailers, for more information please contact www.ruffwear.com.

Ruff Wear - gear for dogs on the go - is a manufacturer of canine performance products and dog gear. We make dog bowls, dog boots, dog packs and dog lifejackets. We also specialize in dog apparel, dog coats, leashes and couplers, collars, harnesses, dog beds, dog toys, and dog safety gear. Our products provide solutions to enhance the relationship between owners and their dogs while participating in outdoor recreational activities together such as running, hiking, jogging, trail running, skiing, snowboarding, camping, traveling, climbing, biking, paddling, kayaking, rafting and other outdoor activities and sports. We also sponsor many rescue dogs, sled dogs, animal rehabilitation centers and service dogs. Ruffwear.com is the online presence of the company, Ruff Wear, Inc. Our entire collection of Ruff Wear products and gear can be found on our ruffwear.com website and many of our products can be purchased through our independent retailers. Common misspellings of Ruff Wear are ruffware, roughwear, roughware, roughgear and ruffgear. Get On The Go!