The North Face Apparel Corporation Facts

The North Face is a clothing retailer, specializing in clothes and equipment for outdoor activities. Although based in the United States, The North Face now operates in Europe, Asia, Canada, Australia and Latin America.

  1. Origins

    • The North Face store first opened in the North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco in 1966. In 1968, the company moved to Berkeley and began to manufacture its own mountaineering clothes and equipment.

    Products

    • Today The North Face sells its own branded products designed for a wide range of outdoor activities, including skiing, mountaineering, trekking, mountain biking and camping.

    Sponsorship

    • The company uses sponsorship of major events to maintain its profile. In 2010, The North Face sponsored the Ski Challenge and the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc in France and the Lavaredo Ultra Trail in the Italian Dolomite mountains.

    Ownership

    • As of 2010, The North Face is owned by the VF Corporation, which also owns the well-known brands Lee, Wrangler and Vans.

    Profits

    • In the third quarter of 2010, the company's profits rose by around 20 percent, driven by sales in Asian markets and the high visibility of The North Face brand during the X Games.