In the late 1980s, two young Vancouver entrepreneurs began sewing custom-made rock-climbing harnesses in their basement.

From these humble beginnings arose Arc’teryx, a company that has taken the world by storm with a dedicated following of outdoor enthusiasts in markets including South Korea.

This week Minister of International Trade Teresa Wat is visiting an Arc’teryx store in Busan, South Korea during her 2014 Asia trade mission that  marks the first time a trade minister from Canada has gone to Korea since the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA) was signed in September.

Wat will see first-hand how a B.C. manufacturing company is succeeding in the highly competitive South Korea consumer market. South Korea is British Columbia’s fourth-largest goods export market and it’s projected to grow even further in the wake of the CKFTA deal, providing clear benefits for companies doing business there.

While in Korea Wat is promoting B.C. as a preferential trading partner in meetings with government officials and other stakeholders. B.C. is projected to benefit from tariff elimination, especially in the manufacturing, seafood, agrifoods, forestry, energy and natural resources sectors.

Wat’s mission includes B.C.’s first seafood trade promotion event in the Korean market with a B.C. seafood delegation using the opportunity to showcase the benefits of the CKFTA for the seafood sector. She will also pave the way for the South Korea Agrifood and Seafood Seminar that will occur on Nov. 13 in Metro Vancouver.

Arc’teryx is a global design and manufacturing company that specializes in technical high-performance outerwear and equipment. Despite huge growth, Arc’teryx Equipment Inc. still retains its original mandate to produce quality, high-performing, innovative products geared towards a specific end-user, including alpinists, rock climbers, back-country skiers and military personnel.

Based in North Vancouver, Arc’teryx field-tests its designs and materials in real world conditions allowing them to create well-fitted, longest-lasting, highest-performing technical products. They distribute their outerwear and equipment through more than 3,000 retail locations worldwide, including branded stores in Europe, North America and Asia. 

The B.C. government’s Trade and Investment Representative Office in Seoul has developed an extensive business network in South Korea, and actively assists Korean and British Columbia companies to explore shared opportunities.

Wat’s 2014 Asia trade mission also includes stops in China and Japan.

The Province has nine Trade and Investment Representatives (TIRs) based in Japan, Korea, India, East China, North China, South China, Hong Kong, Europe, and the United States. This international network connects B.C. businesses with new markets and trade opportunities and promotes British Columbia as a stable and attractive destination for investment, tourists and international students.

Trade missions are a critical part of British Columbia’s strategy to diversify its international trading partners and secure new investment, propelling economic activity and job creation throughout the province.

Quotes:

Minister of International Trade Teresa Wat -

“I’m in Korea to promote the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement and open doors for B.C. businesses to access lucrative Asian markets. This trade agreement will provide a competitive advantage for several key B.C. sectors and my ministry is playing an active role in promoting these benefits. We want other B.C. companies to enjoy the same international success as Arc’teryx has.”

Arc’teryx general manager and president Vincent Wauters -

“With over 16 fully branded stores and another 42 retail partners, Korea is one of Arc’teryx’ largest and most significant markets. Without a doubt, this trade agreement gives us a real competitive advantage. It will help increase the distribution of our B.C.-made products and support the ongoing growth of our local manufacturing operations.”

Quick facts:

• The Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement is Canada’s first concluded agreement with an Asian trading partner, and highlights the importance of the Korean market for Canadians and British Columbians.
• South Korea is B.C.’s fourth-largest trading partner and export destination with $1.8 billion in B.C. exports in 2013.
• With over 50% of Canadian goods exported to South Korea in 2013 originating in British Columbia, the CKFTA will generate a positive economic impact on British Columbia’s economy by helping to increase exports and create jobs.
• The CKFTA is expected to increase Canadian exports to South Korea by up to 32%.
• Busan (Busan Metropolitan City) is South Korea’s second-largest metropolis after Seoul, with a population of 3.6 million and metro population of 4.6 million (including Gimhae and Yangsan). It is the largest port city in South Korea and the world’s fifth-largest seaport by cargo tonnage.
• Arc’teryx derived its name from Archaeopteryx Lithographica, the first reptile to develop the feather for flight, freeing itself from the constraints of the horizontal world.
• Arc’teryx opened its first stand-alone Arc’teryx Veilance store in Lotte World Tower in Seoul this year.

Learn More at:

Follow the trade mission on Twitter @BCJobsPlan (twitter.com) , #TM2014

For more information about B.C. trade and investment opportunities, visit: http://www.britishcolumbia.ca/

Find out more about Arc’teryx: http://arcteryx.com/Home.aspx?language=EN

Learn more about the BC Jobs Plan at: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of International Trade
250 213-2302

Media Relations
Arc’teryx Equipment Inc.
604 960-3108
jo.salamon@arcteryx.com