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09:22 GMT - Thursday, 30 January, 2025

Diamond Brand Gear Company Closes After 80 Years Following Hurricane Helene Damage

Home - Old Stories - Diamond Brand Gear Company Closes After 80 Years Following Hurricane Helene Damage

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Posted on January 8, 2025 by inuno.ai


Diamond Brand Gear Company, a renowned manufacturer in the North Carolina mountains for over 80 years, has permanently closed following devastating damage caused by Hurricane Helene. 

CEO John Delaloye attributed the closure to the extensive destruction of the company’s facility, which left recovery financially unviable.

The company, originally established in the Northeast, had been a fixture in Fletcher, N.C., producing tents and outdoor gear. The impact of Hurricane Helene was catastrophic, with floodwaters rising nearly three feet inside the building.

“I try to keep a positive outlook on life, but it was brutal,” Delaloye said, reflecting on the damage and the difficult decisions that followed.

When Delaloye and his team first assessed the facility post-flood, they found most of the equipment and inventory ruined. Although they considered relocating to a temporary space in Morganton, the costs of rebuilding and restarting operations ultimately exceeded their resources. 

Delaloye noted, “At least in terms of rebuilding it and restarting it in the same space,” the future was uncertain from the outset.

The closure marked an emotional end for the family-run business. Delaloye emphasized the company’s focus on its people, including 35 employees, one of whom had recently celebrated 44 years with the company. 

According to Delaloye, the decision to terminate employment was especially difficult. “It was really tough, and we had to terminate everyone through a letter and through email, and that was really tough because we don’t like to do things that way,” he told News 13.

In its final weeks, the company donated salvageable materials to local organizations, seeking to make a positive impact despite the challenges. 

Delaloye expressed pride in the legacy of Diamond Brand Gear, particularly its contributions to fostering skills and innovation in a shifting industry. 

The company officially ceased operations on December 18, 2024. Diamond Brand Outdoors, a separate entity, remains unaffected by the closure.

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