Ruff Wear Press Release - Ruff Wear Named One of Best Places to Work in America by Outside Magazine

April 7, 2010

Outside Magazine Names Ruff Wear As One of America's Best Places to Work in 2010

Central Oregon-based performance dog gear company is one of 50 companies selected

BEND, Ore., APRIL 7, 2010 – Ruff Wear, the leading producer of high performance dog gear, today was named to Outside magazine’s (www.outsideonline.com) third annual “Best Places to Work” list. Ruff Wear was ranked No. 41 out of 50 selected companies. The full list and related story will be published in the May issue of Outside magazine, available on newsstands April 20, 2010.

  Outside’s “Best Places to Work” list was compiled with the help of the Outdoor Industry Association (outdoorindustry.org) and Best Companies Group (bestcompaniesgroup.com). The year-long selection process began with an outreach effort that identified a wide range of non-profit and for-profit organizations with at least 15 employees working in the United States. Participating companies were then sent confidential employee-satisfaction surveys and employer-questionnaires to collect information about benefits, compensation, policies, job satisfaction, environmental initiatives, and community outreach programs. All of the results were analyzed by Best Companies Group experts, who selected the 50 companies that strive to enhance their employees’ enjoyment of active endeavors, and environmental and social involvement.  

"Being named one of Outside magazine’s Best Places to Work is really exciting for Ruff Wear," said Will Blount, President of Ruff Wear. "We are an outdoor industry company in outdoor-oriented Bend, Oregon, so this is an honor that makes us proud. It is a testament to the talented people that make Ruff Wear a great place to work."  

"These 50 companies come from a vast array of industries but they're all following the same enlightened path," said Michael Roberts, Executive Editor of Outside. "They're successful businesses in a challenging economy precisely because they support a proper work-life balance. They know that benefits like on-site gyms and fitness classes, reimbursements for ski passes and sports racing fees, and support for community service efforts during work hours make their employees happier and thus more productive."   

Ruff Wear supports work-life balance with perks like company ski days, employee field days, community improvement activities, gym subsidies, and commute options rewards. The new spring 2010 Ruff Wear product line will be available starting April 1, 2010 through specialty pet and outdoor retailers as well as through www.ruffwear.com.

Ruff Wear Contact: Christy Caplan, Sundrop Media for Ruff Wear
503/412-8850 christyc@sundropmedia.com

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ABOUT RUFF WEAR
Ruff Wear's mission is to build performance product to enhance and inspire outdoor adventures for dogs and their human companions. Ruff Wear encourages an active lifestyle for everyone with a four-legged friend - stay fit, healthy and happy - on a trail run, a day hike, or multi-day backcountry adventure. Our Performance Dog Gear™ combines performance, quality, fit, function, and safety to meet the needs of active and adventurous canines and their humans.

Ruff Wear is committed to preserving open lands and waterways, providing important habitat for wildlife and recreational opportunities for humans and canines. Ruff Wear partners with The Conservation Alliance to protect these special places so important to us. Additionally, Ruff Wear works with regional grass roots organizations, giving back to the community, and creating opportunities to strengthen the bond between humans and their dogs.

Ruff Wear was recognized as a “100 Best Green Companies to Work For in Oregon” in June 2009.

Based in Bend, Oregon, Ruff Wear sells their products through specialty pet and outdoor retailers as well as www.ruffwear.com. Find Ruff Wear on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/ruffwear and on their Dog Blog, http://dogblog.ruffwear.net.

 ABOUT OUTSIDE MAGAZINE  
Outside is America’s number-one active-lifestyle magazine, with more than two million readers a month. For 30 years, we’ve been dedicated to covering travel, sports, adventure, health and fitness, as well as the personalities, the environment, and the style and culture of the world Outside. Along with many other accolades, Outside is the only magazine ever to receive three consecutive National Magazine Awards for General Excellence. Please visit us at www.outsideonline.com <http://www.outsideonline.com/> .

  ABOUT THE BEST COMPANIES GROUP
  Best Companies Group works with national and local partners around the country to establish and manage “Best Places to Work,” “Best Companies,” and “Best Employers” programs on a national, statewide, and regional basis. Through its thorough workplace assessment, utilizing employer questionnaires and employee-satisfaction surveys, BCG identifies and recognizes companies who have been successful in creating and maintaining workplace excellence.

  ABOUT THE OUTDOOR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
  Founded in 1989, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the premier trade association for companies in the active outdoor recreation business. OIA provides trade services for over 4000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives and retailers in the outdoor industry. Outdoor Industry Association seeks to ensure a healthy and diverse specialty retail and supply chain based on quality, innovation and service. To this end, OIA works diligently to raise the standards of the industry; increase participation in outdoor recreation to strengthen business markets; provide support services to improve member profitability; represent member interests in the legislative/regulatory process; promote professional training and education; support innovation; and offer cost-saving member benefits. Search for outdoor-industry jobs is at OIA’s career center: www.outdoorindustry.org <http://www.outdoorindustry.org/>

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