From Simms:
The final moving trucks made their way across Bozeman last week, completing Simms Fishing Products move into its new corporate headquarters, on-budget and with zero down-time.
Simms, a manufacturer of guide-quality fishing waders, outerwear, footwear and apparel, has moved from a multi-building campus on the northeast edge of Bozeman to a 65,000 square-foot building on the west side of town, at the crossroads of the Gallatin and Madison Rivers.
Key to their new location is a streamlined, modern manufacturing floor where Simms will continue to produce its award-winning GORE-TEX® breathable waders. Simms was the first company to introduce breathable waders in the early 90s, and is still the only company making fishing waders in the USA.
Robert Gibson, Director of Operations at Simms, said “We implemented LEAN manufacturing concepts in our factory over a decade ago, but our new plant has been organized to optimize our wader production steps.”
“Simms has experienced 20 years of continued growth, and we needed more and better organized space,” said K.C. Walsh, President of Simms. “Manufacturing waders here in Montana is important to our customers, and our new headquarters provides us needed room for continued expansion and a place to showcase our manufacturing facility.”
Simms’ new headquarters was purchased in 2011, and Simms partnered with Bozeman’s internationally renowned architectural firm JLF & Associates to remodel the site. The company’s goals were to get all of its employees under one roof, improve collaboration between its employees and increase exposure to the angling public. According to Walsh, “JLF’s team did an outstanding job in helping us achieve all of our goals in this new facility, and their president, Paul Bertelli, is a serious fly angler who really understands our brand.”
This building is the largest solar photovoltaic project in the Gallatin Valley and estimated to be in the top five such projects in Montana. The system supplies electricity and hot water. In addition, Simms’ new facility utilizes motion sensor and energy efficient lighting.
Simms employs almost 120 employees in Bozeman, and the new headquarters is needed for future growth in the workforce.
About Simms Fishing Products: Established in 1980, Simms Fishing Products is the recognized leader in guide-quality fishing waders, outerwear, footwear and apparel. Their full line of gear is available at specialty and large format retailers nationwide. For more information on Simms, please visit www.simmsfishing.com.
For additional media information, please contact Matt Crawford at Pale Morning Media, [email protected] or 802.583.6069.
Simms’ new corporate address is 177 Garden Drive, Bozeman, MT 59718.
