Holden Outerwear moves from Portland to LA
US outdoor apparel brand Holden Outerwear has announced plans to move to Los Angeles, from its current base in Portland. The company leases space in a Pearl District building now and will move into a similar-sized office when it moves to Southern California in July, said chief executive Ben Pruess.
Mr Pruess said operating expenses will be about 15% lower for the company in Los Angeles. He said he expects to hire more employees after making the move.
Mr Pruess said Portland has been helpful to the brand since the company’s founding in 2000 as it developed winter jackets, pants, hats and other apparel. The move to LA will be the first step to expanding Holden's offerings, including an extension to surfing apparel.
Mr Pruess said he envisioned Holden retaining ties with Portland, with its designers still spending a part of the winter in the area and local sponsored snowboarders continuing to product test for the company.
“This is a move for business,” he said. “We don't make those decisions (to move) for any other reasons.”
