1952
Rick Scott and Richard Kelty first meet at Kindergarten
Richard Kelty’s father owned Kelty Pack, the outdoor company that made the first aluminium frame packs
1971
Founded by friends since kindergarten; Rick Scott, Richard Kelty and John Beaman
started with $600 cash, $2,400 in credit and a $316.03 sewing machine
first product was nylon covered foam sleeping mat
Kelty Pack’s retail store placed an order for 1,000 mats
sewing 10-12 mats per hour themselves, they manage $20,000 in sales
clientele reaches 30 retail stores in California
1973
move to Santa Barbara, California
circa 1976
First manufacturer to wholesale Gore-tex products
However 1,000 first-generation of Gore-Tex jackets made for L.L. Bean are return due to delamination
1977
develop the FAD line of budget priced Gore-tex outerwear
product line contains Gore-Tex apparel, urethane rainwear, down comforters, tarps, stuff sacks, first-aid kits, etc
1981
Received a tongue-in-cheek plaque from Early Winters for the best non-Early Winters tent
????
introduce LITE (Lightest Imaginable Travel Equipment) Gear: ultralight outerwear, daypacks, sleeping bags and a frame pack
1983
large soccer shorts designed by Colorado River boatman named Gib Mann and Joy Moran are termed “Big Dogs”
Big Dogs are a retail apparel success
1984
Lost Eddie Bauer private label account when they shifted production to cheaper offshore manufacturers
1985
Backpacker magazine labels them “one of the top ten backpacking companies in the U.S.”
1989
Rick Scott and Rich Kelty end their partnership
Rich Kelty spends next 10 years in sunglass business, before moving into construction industry.
Rick Scott stays with Big Dogs business
1990
Big Dogs declares bankruptcy
1992
new management acquires company and focuses on Big Dog sportswear
Sales are $11.4 million USD
Has five retail stores
Rick Scott stays on for five years in the marketing department
1997
company goes public (to pay off debt and raise money for further expansion.)
Sales reach $68.7 million USD
Has 134 retail stores, from Hawaii to Maine
Rick Scott leaves and gets involved in the real estate industry
1999
licensing name and logos to products like backpacks, hot sauces, and toys.
2000
sales exceed $115 million USD
2001
one sale quarter trade provides a net income of $1.9 million on revenue of $30.2 million.
the Big Dog Club has over 30,000 members
2008
changes its name to The Walking Company Holdings
operates 200 retail outlets in 35 US states
2009
The Walking Company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
2010
exits bankruptcy
2011
The Walking Company launches “New Outdoor Lifestyle Brand”, Sierra West
Sierra West Today