Lowepro
Encyclopedia
Lowepro is a global brand of professional carrying solutions for camera
s, laptops, imaging accessories and portable consumer electronics with corporate headquarters in Petaluma, California North Bay Business Journal. January 10th, 2011 Longtime camera bag-maker Lowepro expands in Petaluma . It is part of DayMen Canada Acquisition ULC, owned by private equity firm Brockway Moran & Partners.
, an outdoor equipment manufacturer founded by Mike, Greg and Jeff Lowe in the Denver suburbs of Colorado in 1967. In the 1960s, the Lowe brothers were known in outdoor circles for their climbing, skiing and photography. In 1967, Greg Lowe
invented the world’s first, close-fitting, internal-frame backpack
. Greg Lowe used the same design principles of his padded backpacks to create the Lowepro line of protective camera bags as he often carried photographic equipment on hikes and climbs in the backcountry of the Western United States. The first official camera bag was manufactured in 1972.
In 1981, Uwe Mummenhoff and DayMen Photo Marketing Incorporated gained exclusive rights to produce Lowepro products under license in Canada. In 1989, Lowepro U.S.A. became a wholly owned subsidiary of DayMen Photo Marketing Inc. and was established as a corporation; the Lowepro registered trademark was purchased in 2002. Brockway Moran & Partners invested in DayMen in partnership with management in October 2010.
Lowepro commemorated its 40th anniversary by joining with Polar Bears International (PBI) to help raise awareness about the plight of the polar bear and the effects of global warming. A portion of the proceeds of the Primus™ AW (and several subsequent bag designs using recycled materials) went directly to PBI to help in their efforts.
The Lowepro brand mission is to build protective, fast-access and comfortable designs for professional photographers and enthusiasts. The design team collaborates with professional photographer partners to develop products that speed access, protect equipment and increase workflow efficiency.
Lowepro’s professional photographer partners, known as Loweprofessionals, frequently advise on design and field test products before they are manufactured for sale.
Lowepro products are distributed and sold in more than 100 countries and six continents .
Camera
A camera is a device that records and stores images. These images may be still photographs or moving images such as videos or movies. The term camera comes from the camera obscura , an early mechanism for projecting images...
s, laptops, imaging accessories and portable consumer electronics with corporate headquarters in Petaluma, California North Bay Business Journal. January 10th, 2011 Longtime camera bag-maker Lowepro expands in Petaluma . It is part of DayMen Canada Acquisition ULC, owned by private equity firm Brockway Moran & Partners.
History of the Company
Lowepro camera bags began as an offshoot of Lowe Alpine SystemsLowe Alpine
Lowe Alpine is an outdoor equipment manufacturer and supplier that originated in Colorado and is now an international company. The company is currently owned by ....
, an outdoor equipment manufacturer founded by Mike, Greg and Jeff Lowe in the Denver suburbs of Colorado in 1967. In the 1960s, the Lowe brothers were known in outdoor circles for their climbing, skiing and photography. In 1967, Greg Lowe
Greg Lowe (climber)
Greg Lowe is a noted climber, photographer, Academy Award nominated cinematographer, and founder of Lowe Alpine.Lowe established Lowe Alpine in his workshed in Colorado in 1967. In addition to backpacking gear Lowe is a pioneer in rock climbing hardware, developing some of the first cam-lever...
invented the world’s first, close-fitting, internal-frame backpack
Backpack
A backpack is, in its simplest form, a cloth sack carried on one's back and secured with two straps that go over the shoulders, but there can be exceptions...
. Greg Lowe used the same design principles of his padded backpacks to create the Lowepro line of protective camera bags as he often carried photographic equipment on hikes and climbs in the backcountry of the Western United States. The first official camera bag was manufactured in 1972.
In 1981, Uwe Mummenhoff and DayMen Photo Marketing Incorporated gained exclusive rights to produce Lowepro products under license in Canada. In 1989, Lowepro U.S.A. became a wholly owned subsidiary of DayMen Photo Marketing Inc. and was established as a corporation; the Lowepro registered trademark was purchased in 2002. Brockway Moran & Partners invested in DayMen in partnership with management in October 2010.
Lowepro commemorated its 40th anniversary by joining with Polar Bears International (PBI) to help raise awareness about the plight of the polar bear and the effects of global warming. A portion of the proceeds of the Primus™ AW (and several subsequent bag designs using recycled materials) went directly to PBI to help in their efforts.
The Lowepro brand mission is to build protective, fast-access and comfortable designs for professional photographers and enthusiasts. The design team collaborates with professional photographer partners to develop products that speed access, protect equipment and increase workflow efficiency.
Lowepro’s professional photographer partners, known as Loweprofessionals, frequently advise on design and field test products before they are manufactured for sale.
Lowepro products are distributed and sold in more than 100 countries and six continents .
Product Innovations
- 2011 Developed the Ultra-Cinch Camera Chamber to protect camera gear and help prevent bouncing during extreme sports activities; introduced the Optics Series for birders and wildlife watchers.
- 2010 Time Magazine Awards "Best Trasvel Gadget of 2009" to the Lowepro Fastpack.
- 2010 Launched a patent-pending S&F™ Lens Exchange Case 200 AW, a hands-free lens-changing bag; unveiled the S&F™ Audio Utility Bag 100 to help photographers capture sound as they shoot stills and HD video.
- 2009 Launched the Pro Roller x-Series, featuring an official Travel Sentry™Travel SentryTravel Sentry, Inc. is an American company that establishes and manages standards used in travel security. It neither makes nor sells products...
lock with universal cable and a premium Lock && Go System™ of security. - 2007 Developed the industry's first photo backpack (Primus AW series) constructed of 51% recycled Cyclepet® material, a 100% post-consumer recycled fabric.
- 2005 Introduced the first two-compartment camera bag that combines waterproof camera protection with personal storage and a hydration systemHydration systemIn recreation and other sustained outdoor activities, a hydration system is an apparatus intended to help its user in drinking enough liquid to support the physical effort involved in the activity. Such systems for consumers were first sold to cyclists, but by the 1990s also had found a...
: the DryZone™ Rover. - 2002 Launched the DryZone™ 200, the first waterproof camera backpack.
- 2001 Designed a rolling camera backpack with the pack harness on one side and the handle and wheels on the other.
- 1999 Produced the first of many new camera bags designed specifically for (DSLR) digital cameras. Lowepro produces the first camera/notebook backpack for photojournalists.
- 1998 Developed a comprehensive modular carrying solution: the Street & Field™ System; created the patented Film Drop AW with an aperture-like opening to safely store film.
- 1994 Won the IFAI (Industrial Fabrics Association International) International Achievement Award.
- 1993 Won the IDSA (Industrial Designers Society of America)Industrial Designers Society of AmericaIndustrial Designers Society of America is an organization of professional industrial designers primarily in the United States. Recently IDSA has started chapters in Canada and in China...
silver Industrial Design Excellence Award for the design of the Orion AW Backpack. - 1993 Developed the first OverLap Zipper™, an innovation now standard for camera bags.
- 1992 Originated the patented, built-in All Weather AW Cover™ that protects gear from rain, snow and sand.
- 1985 Introduced a Greg Lowe invention: the ergonomically contoured shoulder strap; unveiled the CollarCut™ harness, designed to provide more carrying comfort for a heavy load of camera equipment.
- 1977 Greg Lowe innovated with the use of plastic buckles on backpacks and camera bags.
- 1972 Introduced the first soft-sided, foam-padded camera bag, developed by Greg Lowe.
- 1967 Lowepro founder, Greg LoweGreg Lowe (climber)Greg Lowe is a noted climber, photographer, Academy Award nominated cinematographer, and founder of Lowe Alpine.Lowe established Lowe Alpine in his workshed in Colorado in 1967. In addition to backpacking gear Lowe is a pioneer in rock climbing hardware, developing some of the first cam-lever...
, created the world's first internal-frame backpackBackpackA backpack is, in its simplest form, a cloth sack carried on one's back and secured with two straps that go over the shoulders, but there can be exceptions...
in his Colorado garage .