Osprey

Osprey History Timeline 1953- Mike Pfotenhauer, Osprey Packs founder and Head Designer is abandoned as a newborn in Roswell, New Mexico-complete with sample patterns and an odd assortment of buckles in hand. (confirm date) 1974- Mike Pfotenhauer and Laurie White start up Osprey Packs in Santa Cruz, Ca. 1976 – Breathable mesh panel introduced on Osprey packs 1979 – First Osprey travel pack, the Outlander, released upon the masses 1986 - Osprey adds partners Gabriella Salinas and Diane Wren and begins selling packs wholesale 1990 – Mike Pfotenhauer and Diane Wren move Osprey into former Gore-Tex factory in Dolores, CO (population 864). Hires new skilled workforce, primarily from Navajo Reservation. 1993 - Osprey introduces the Isis an innovative custom fit women's backpack, the first in a legacy of women's custom fit 1994 - Osprey moves production to new location in Cortez, Co. 1995 – Pika kid’s pack receives Backpacker Magazine Editor’s Choice Award 1995 – Recycled HDPE framesheets introduced in Osprey Packs 1998 - Mike Pfotenhauer literally dreams the Straightjacket suspension compression system 1998 –Osprey ErgoPull hipbelt closure and introduced to the masses and changes backpack hipbelts forever. 1999 - Osprey expands facility in Cortez and all operations are moved from Dolores. 2000 - Osprey begins to move some production offshore to Korea and Vietnam 2002 - Aether 60 receives the Grand GG award from Outdoor Life Network 2003 - Aether 75 receives the Outside Magazine Gear of the Year Award 2003- Osprey partners Mike Pfotenhauer and Diane Wren and family move to Vietnam 2003- Design and Quality Control Center in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is formed with Vietnamese staff 2004- Switch 55+5 is awarded Editors' Choice by Backpacker Magazine 2005 - Osprey introduces Custom Molding technology 2005-Osprey Atmos 50 is awarded the 2005 Outside Magazine Gear of the Year Award 2006-Osprey Meridian 22, the first wheeled travel pack designed by Osprey Packs, wins the 2006 Outside Magazine Gear of the Year Award 2007-Osprey Circuit daypack designed using 71% recycled materials by content is awarded Outside Magazine’s Green Gear of the Year Award 2007-Osprey expands Cortez, Colorado headquarters incorporating LEED like standards and adding an additional 3600 square feet of office space 2008-Osprey Packs Inc awarded REI’s Vendor Partner of the Year Award 2008-Osprey expands U.S staff to a total of 29 Team Members while the Vietnam Design Studio increases to 12 2008-Osprey selected by Outside Magazine as one of America’s Best Places to work 2009-Osprey celebrates 35 years of independent design and innovation 2009-Osprey Exos 46 awarded Outside Magazine’s Gear of the Year Award 2009-Osprey Ace 48 receives Backpacker Magazine’s Editor’s Choice Award 2009-Osprey receives Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work Award for the second year in a row 2009-Osprey awarded REI’s Vendor Partner of the Year- Camping Division 2009-Osprey Packs expands product warranty coverage introducing the All Mighty Guarantee-Any Reason, Any Product, Any Era 2009-The Osprey Exos 46 wins a 2009 Good Design Award for the World’s Best Design 2009-Osprey Manta 25 hydration pack receives Gold Industry Award for design from Outdoor Europe 2010-Osprey releases first dedicated hydration packs, the revolutionary Hydraulics™ Series featuring the Manta and Raptor. 2010-Osprey Raptor 6 receives 2010 Best of Adventure Award from National Geographic Adventure Magazine