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© 2012 Katadyn Products Inc. |
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 Editorial
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Dear Katadyn Friends
The inhabitants of the small Swedish town of Östersund were in for a nasty surprise a few days ago when their drinking water was suddenly tainted with pathogens. Over one thousand people came down with diarrhea and fever. The infections were caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium, which can be found worldwide and often propagates through contaminated drinking water. In 1993, over 300,000 people fell ill in Milwaukee in the U.S. during an epidemic caused by Cryptosporidia. The inhabitants of Östersund are now drinking bottled water instead of tap water, but the bottled water supplies are already sold out.
It is frightening to see how prone even our advanced civilization is to such incidents despite its modern infrastructure. Perhaps it would be a good idea to make provision for such occurrences by keeping a water filter ready in the kitchen cabinet to filter tap water if it should ever become contaminated. Katadyn filters reliably eliminate parasites such as Cryptosporidia and are much easier on the environment than bottled water.
Also the population of the Chiapas region in southeastern Mexico know fully well that pure drinking water has always been and will always be the basis of life. Instead of handing out Christmas gifts this year, Katadyn is supporting the inhabitants of Chiapas by supplying them with Katadyn Drip Filters. Together with other carefully matched measures, the Katadyn Drip Filters are making a vital contribution in Chiapas to slashing the incidence of disease and the mortality rate among the indigenous population.
Please note that our offices and our production floor will be closed from December 25 through January 2. On behalf of Katadyn, I extend my very warmest thanks to you for the outstanding collaboration and the many valuable inputs that we receive daily from the sales front as well as from the numerous users of our products across the planet.
I wish you a happy holiday season and a thrilling and successful year 2011.
Trix Ammann
CEO
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Did you know? |
Parasites in Swedish drinking water: 2500 people fall ill
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In the Swedish town of Östersund, more than 2500 people were infected by Cryptosporidium parasites in their drinking water. The pathogens cause fever, dizziness, stomach cramps, and a loss of weight. The cause of the tainted drinking water is currently being investigated by the Swedish legal authorities. The culprits are expected to be leaky waste water pipes of production plants. The incident goes to show the proneness to failure even of our highly developed infrastructures. We hope that Östersund’s population, who live at the edge of the spectacular Swedish natural paradises, will soon have their pure drinking water supplies restored. Until then, the only thing we can do is recommend our Katadyn water filters. The Katadyn Combi Plus filter, for instance, can be very easily connected to a water faucet and will reliably eliminate any parasites such as Cryptosporidia. Moreover, these filters are more environmentally friendly than water in PET bottles.
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Update on recall of Optimus Nova/Nova+ Multifuel Stoves
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In early October, Katadyn Produkte AG voluntarily issued a restricted recall of its Optimus Nova and Optimus Nova+ Multifuel Stoves. The recall campaign is still in full swing and we have already replaced – free of charge – several thousand stoves which were returned to us by dealerships and end consumers. In connection with our continuous quality assurance efforts and the defects found, we have already transferred production of the Optimus stoves to a new experienced and trustworthy supplier. We are thus ensuring that the stoves that we supply to the marketplace will again satisfy the rigorous safety and quality standards of the traditional Optimus brand.
Owners of stoves affected can continue to contact Katadyn Produkte AG in Switzerland through the toll-free phone number +800 67 84 68 70 from Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. (CET). As an alternative, they can also reach us through the registration form on the Optimus website.
We are asking everyone affected by this mishap to accept our apologies for the trouble and we extend our best thanks for their support and confidence.
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Marketing & Events |
Katadyn at the METS in Amsterdam
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The METS, the largest trade show for boat equipment and accessories, was once again held this year in Amsterdam on November 16–18. Almost 20,000 visitors from all corners of the world traveled to Amsterdam to find out more about the newest developments in the field of marine products from the roughly 1,300 exhibitors. The Katadyn Group presented its Katadyn, Optimus, and Trek’n Eat brands at its booth. In addition to the compact and highly efficient Katadyn desalinators, also the new Katadyn MyBottle attracted very much attention. The MyBottle belongs to a new generation of water filters and is the perfect travel accessory for boat kitchens as well as unforgettable outings on land.
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Katadyn at the Future Soldier in Prague
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Katadyn took part in the Future Soldier exhibition in Prague, which was held on October 14–16, 2010. This relatively small trade fair is an event organized by NATO which is held every other year in the Czech capital. It focuses on the personal gear of soldiers. Tradition has it that Katadyn is part of the Swiss Pavilion. During the three days of the exhibition, we maintained numerous contacts with decision-makers from various countries. This year again, we displayed the mobile MOT filter unit of Aquafides, which met with keen interest from armies as well as civil protection organizations.
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Katadyn Germany at the GlobeWelt in Cologne
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The “GlobeWelt” outdoor and travel festival was held for the first time on October 16. Some 4000 visitors convened to test the equipment of a wide variety of brands and to obtain insider tips on outdoor, adventure, and travel issues. For Globetrotter in Cologne as the organizer, the festival governed by the motto of sustainability and ecology was a full success. Katadyn Germany was also there, catering to numerous visitors with its Trek´n Eat outdoor kitchen concepts.
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Katadyn Germany at the "Kanumesse" in Nuremberg
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During three whole days – from October 6–7, 2010 – the visitors to the "Kanumesse" trade show in Nuremberg found everything they could ever wish for in connection with canoeing. The trade fair unites the world’s largest selection of canoe-specific brands underneath a single roof. But as always, the exhibition is strictly for “dealers only” because the Kanumesse is a pure trade show that is not open to the public. Katadyn Germany presented everything that is needed for the perfect outdoor kitchen with its Katadyn, Optimus, and Trek’n Eat brands
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Markets & Customers |
Décathlon France now with Katadyn MyBottle in its portfolio
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The rapidly expanding French sports chain Décathlon will include the Katadyn MyBottle in its portfolio starting in 2011. From 2011 onward, this convenient drinking bottle with its integrated virus filter and its Red Swiss Design will be available at 65 outlets inside and outside France. Just recently launched, the Katadyn MyBottle is already revolutionizing drinking water treatment in outdoor applications. It supplies pure drinking water anywhere and anytime, quickly and easily without requiring either pumping or batteries and chemical agents. Thanks to its integrated three-stage ViruPur water filter, the MyBottle is the perfect drinking system for active people who are used to enjoying their autonomy in the outdoors. The Katadyn MyBottle won the OutDoor INDUSTRY AWARD this year, from among more than 400 products.
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Transa store in Basel, Switzerland now with a larger store area
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Transa, the leading provider of travel, bike, and outdoor gear in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, opened the arguably largest specialized outdoor dealership in northeastern Switzerland at the end of November, following a rebuild of several months. The goal of Transa in Basel is to turn shopping into a unique experience. Thus, for instance, clients can test its products in a real-life setting before buying them – the Katadyn water filters on simulated waters, the climbing boots on a wall, or the trekking mats on natural ground. Only the Trek’n Eat outdoor meals, which Transa also carries, cannot be prepared on a gas stove and consumed on site… Transa has accumulated much travel and outdoor experience and can offer clients vast field experience when advising them.
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Katadyn desalinator the undisputed winner of “Yachting World”
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In a survey conducted by “Yachting World” – a British sailing and yachting magazine – the PowerSurvivor desalinators of Katadyn clearly carried the day. In the independent “Atlantic Gear Test”, the Katadyn desalinators achieved 12.6 points and thus outperformed eight other brands that were tested. What was particularly praised were their dependability and ease of handling. The survey results were published in the October issue of the magazine. You can retrieve the article at the Yachting World Website.
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Katadyn Combi filter on odoo.tv
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odoo.tv, the German internet TV station for outdoor gear, presents the benefits of the Combi water filter in a brief movie portrait. The Katadyn Combi is a multitalent, combining a silver-impregnated ceramic filter element with a separate rechargeable activated carbon cartridge. It eliminates bacteria and protozoa while at the same time reducing chemicals and bad taste. Watch the video
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The Katadyn Group is a partner of the Millet Expedition Project
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Katadyn France is proud to have acted as a partner in the Millet Expedition Project on the Night of the Expeditions (Nuit des Expés) in the Espace Malraux in Chambéry, France. With this project, the Millet company is supporting and coaching individuals and groups in their expedition undertakings. As the crowning climax of the expedition year 2010, the films of all those expeditions were screened in the night of November 13 which had qualified last year to take part in the Expedition Project. The hall was filled to the brim with 900 spectators. The audience included the winners of the 2010 expeditions, the candidates for 2011, plus numerous outdoor and travel fans. Beside the movies, the third Night of the Expeditions also offered the participants an occasion to get to know each other personally and to exchange experiences and ideas. At the same time, a panel of judges elected the expeditions for the coming year from among all the applicants. Katadyn Group will provide the expeditions selected with gear and advice on its Katadyn, Optimus, and Trek’n Eat brands. Find out more about the winners and other information on the Millet Expedition Project Website.
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E.O.F.T. European Outdoor Film Tour 2010/11
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The Mammut/Gore-Tex European Outdoor Film Tour (E.O.F.T.) is the largest film event of the European outdoor community. In a movie program lasting about two hours, the world’s most spectacular films and documentaries from the extreme sports and adventure scene are presented every year. Katadyn is part of the action with a Special Swiss Edition of the Katadyn MyBottle, for tainted drinking water can thoroughly spoil your outdoor fun! The Katadyn MyBottle with its integrated virus filter prevents just that from happening. You will find all the information on the new film tour on the E.O.F.T. website.
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Optimus Long Spoon – the perfect spoon for outdoor menus
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Trekking menus in a stand-up pouch, for example from Trek’n Eat, have long been highly popular with outdoor enthusiasts, being light, convenient, and tasty. Since recently, you can also have the perfect piece of cutlery that goes with them: the Optimus Long Spoon. Thanks to its extra-long handle, this spoon of titanium will reach the last morsels at the very bottom of the pouch without dirtying your hands. The editors of hikinggear.de tested the spoon and found that outdoor menus from stand-up pouches taste even better with the Optimus Long Spoon. The weight of the Long Spoon is 19 grams, and its length 21.5 centimeters. Watch the test video
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The Katadyn Group is supporting the OMM Original Mountain Marathon
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The OMM Original Mountain Marathon kicked off for the 43rd time on the weekend of October 30–31. The two-day race across a double marathon distance (Elite Class) has been organized since 1968 in different regions of Great Britain. The venue is announced just a short time before the race starts. The contestants start in teams of two, who must carry their entire gear themselves, including a tent, stove, and meals for 36 hours. In view of such grueling conditions, it is therefore no wonder that many contestants opt for the liquid food Peronin. With its added vitamins and minerals, it is ideally suited to such high performance standards. The Katadyn Group is supporting the event, which was taken over in early 2010 by our U.K. distribution partners Ark Consultants UK Ltd., by supplying Peronin, Trek’n Eat, Optimus, and Katadyn products.
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Sailing around the world with Taru and Alex
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Taru and Alex left their base in the port in Barcelona at the end of October to embark upon an adventurous sailing trip around the world. On board their Hallberg Rassy 352, they also installed a Katadyn PowerSurvivor 80E in order to have fresh drinking water available at all times during their long Atlantic crossing. When planning a sea voyage, reliable daily supplies of fresh water are absolutely vital. The possibility of producing one’s own drinking water has an enormous impact on the comfort of the passengers on board. With their Internet blog, Taru and Alex have already attained big-name status in the sailing community. They skillfully combine their rough everyday routines on sea with lifestyle elements such as good food (and fresh drinking water), expensive wines, and fashionable clothing. At present, the two are in Gibraltar waiting for the best moment to set sail for their journey westward. You can track the trip and the love story of this exceptional couple at http://sailingaroundtheglobe.blogspot.com/.
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WINDSTOPPER® TRAILRUN WORLDMASTERS Dortmund, November 5 – 7
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The second WINDSTOPPER® TRAILRUN WORLDMASTERS is now history. We congratulate all finishers who chewed away at kilometers and overcame meters of altitude during three days outside Dortmund, the Ruhr region metropolis, braving rain, slush, and cold wind. For our Peronin athlete Annett Finger, things went fairly well and her jump onto the rostrum was unexpected: “I did not expect this at all, and it was super fun. A tremendous event,” said the triathlete beaming with joy. All athletes enjoyed their hot Trek´nEat meal after the exertion.
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Germany vs. Austria: Who will reach the South Pole first?
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The South Pole expeditions of Scott and Amundsen are among the most dramatic ever. One hundred years after the South Pole was reached for the first time, two teams from Germany and Austria have now struck out for the Antarctic on the traces of these great discoverers. The nostalgia expedition was initiated by the ZDF and ORF television stations. Two ice-worthy adventurers qualified for taking part after undergoing a grueling selection procedure. ZDF moderator Markus Lanz and extreme sportsman Joey Kelly will head the German team. Together with marathon runner Claudia Beitsch and triathlete Dennis Lehnert, they will compete with the Austrian team managed by legendary skier Hermann Maier and ORF moderator Tom Walek. Starting in March 2011, the ZDF and ORF stations will air a five-part documentary on the “Race to the South Pole". When it comes to meals, care will be taken to ensure that the participants are better off than Scott and Amundsen: During the tour, they will rely on freeze-dried Trek´n Eat meals.
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Swiss triathlete flying the Peronin flag at the Ironman in Hawaii
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Last year in November, the Swiss triathlete Erich Kohler qualified at the Ironman Florida in Panama City Beach for the Ironman Hawaii 2010. The long-awaited moment came at last on October 8. Despite a stomach and lung infection before the contest and a puncture on the cycle lap, Erich crossed the finishing line as the winner after covering 3.86 kilometers by swimming, 180 kilometers by cycling, and 42.195 kilometers by running. Congratulations, Erich, on this great performance! For years now, Erich Kohler has been using our Peronin liquid food in contests. Peronin ensures a fast and sustainable energy supply and is particularly suited when high performance is required. Peronin is available in three tastes: vanilla, cocoa, and orange.
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Katadyn in-house News |
New office sales staff member at Katadyn Germany
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On November 1, 2010 Alexandra Gottschalk joined the office sales team of Katadyn Germany. Alexandra is a multitalented sports enthusiast. Aged 25, she is currently studying to obtain her university entrance qualifications at night school. We are happy to welcome Alexandra in our team and wish her all the best.
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Annual closure from December 25 through January 2 From December 25 through January 2, the production floor and the offices of Katadyn Produkte AG in Wallisellen, Switzerland will be closed. Then the entire workforce will enjoy a few well-deserved days off between Christmas and New Year. On Monday, January 3, 2010 we will be back again at your service, looking forward to a successful 2011! |
Trade Show Calender 2011· Movera Infoshow, Bad Waldsee, Germany (December 14 to 16, 2010)
· Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake City, USA (January 20 to 23, 2011)
· Boot Düsseldorf in Düsseldorf, Germany (January 22 to 30, 2011)
· "Reisen" in Hamburg, Germany (February 9 to 13, 2011)
· Kielce Sport, Zima, Poland (February 16 to 19, 2011)
· IDEF, Istanbul, Turkey (May 10 to 13, 2011)
· Outdoor-Messe in Friedrichshafen, Germany (July 14 to 17, 2011)
· Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Salt Lake City, USA (August 4 to 7, 2011)
· MSPO 2011, Kielce, Poland (August 30 to September 1, 2011)
· DSEI, London, UK (September 13 to 16, 2011)
· Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, Germany (August 27 to September 4, 2011)
· METS in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (November 15 to 17, 2011) |
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