About
We’re Scandinavians with a strong outdoor heritage united in a group. Together we represent more than 1.880 years of experience in developing outdoor gear using one of the best equipped R&D labs in the world - our backyard, the Scandinavian wilderness.
History
Scandinavian Outdoor Group (S.O.G.) was founded in 2000 as an industry initiative to serve outdoor retailers and media in export markets. It unites well-respected outdoor gear manufacturers from all five Nordic countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland.
Together We Are Stronger
Our cooperation is based on sales and media oriented projects serving outdoor gear retailers and journalists on markets outside the Nordic region. Our mission is based on the simple observation that if equipment works well up here in the north it must also be perfect for outdoor enthusiasts in the rest of the world. Our game plan is based on the basic insight that 1+1=3. By cooperating in our efforts to ultimately reach more users of our products, we can as a group create leverage and be more efficient thus creating a better result for retailers, media and members. Our spirit is like the Scandinavian mentality friendly, informal, open and democratic. Our credibility is strengthened by the fact that members of S.O.G are the original innovators of several outdoor products such as the liquid filled compass, the outdoor stove, the integrated frame back pack – to name a few.
S.O.G. is organized as a non-profit, non-political association registered in Sweden. We currently have more than 30 member companies, all well-respected manufacturers of outdoor equipment. Two member assemblies are held each year (spring and fall) where decisions on e.g. projects, budget, board of directors and new members are made. In conjunction with the assemblies, planning meetings for projects, socializing events and competence development seminars also take place.
S.O.G. is an associated member of the European Outdoor Group and represents the Scandinavian outdoor industry in lobby and global industry issues (Through EOG indirectly represented in FEDAS).
Members of the board of directors meet at least four times a year, and a work committee has more regular meetings to manage operational matters.
Current members of the board
- Staffan Rönn, Optimus (Chairman)
- Martin Kössler, (General Secretary)
- Ulf Gustafsson
- Per Gunnar Haugen, Norrøna
- Sara Wänseth, Woolpower
- Jonas Hellentin, Lundhags
- Helga Vidarsdottir, 66⁰ North
- Peter Carati, Bergans (substitute)
Last date of change: 3rd of May 2010
