Race Face Appoints Operations Manager

Jul 26, 2011
by Race Face  
Race Face press photo of Dave Murray

His extensive manufacturing career is anchored by two-decades with a Nuclear Pump Company in Bedfordshire, England where he began as machine operator and spent the next eighteen years working his way through various departments, eventually taking the helm as Plant Manager prior to relocating to Canada. Murray is no stranger to the cycling industry, having spent more than eight years as Head of Operations for Rocky Mountain Bicycles, Canadian frame manufacturer and birth place of the boutique brand he now joins.

“It’s an industry that I have missed since my days with Rocky,” said Murray about his appointment. “I am surrounded by a talented group of design engineers and operators dedicated to breathing new life into this beloved brand. This is an exciting time at Race Face and the energy in the office is palpable.”

Murray’s first order of business is to streamline domestic manufacturing and ensure the life of the respected ‘Made in Canada’ moniker and lifetime warranty that have become synonymous with the brand. “Tutton offered me a rare opportunity to join the rebuild from the ground up and I leapt at it,” said Murray. “Preserving jobs and even expanding here at the head office is our priority. The temptation to manufacture off shore is something we are trying to avoid, but it will be challenging, particularly with our order book growing by the day, but with our renewed team spirit I am confident it can be done.”

“Reviving a fallen brand is an enormous undertaking,” explained Chris Tutton. “When the opportunity to purchase Race Face presented itself we knew the success of a quick turnaround hinged on attracting talent that could make strategic moves quickly and regain the confidence of our supply chain. I have known Dave for years and, in my mind, he was the front-runner to overhaul operations and directionally take the brand to the next level. His manufacturing expertise is not limited to cycling which gives him the unique ability to identify and implement the changes needed across our operations and avoid the pitfalls that eventually force production facilities to chase less costly resources abroad. Dave has an undeniable drive and his leadership skills are a major asset to the longevity of the new Race Face.”

Follow Race Face online by liking facebook.com/RacefacePerformance and on Twitter @RaceFace2011

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12 Comments
  • 16 0
 I am happy to hear Race Face is back on their feet, let's just hope their products continue to have the same level of quality and soon return to stock at retailers.
  • 5 1
 How about not streamlining the overseas manufacturing and keep these jobs at home for the local rippers! Race Face, made in Canada. Sounds good to me!
  • 11 0
 sounds good to everyone, but there's no profit in a business where labor costs are too high. They need to turn a profit to keep developing new products and keep us customers wanting their products or soon they won't have any sales, regardless of if their products are made in Canada.
  • 3 0
 I'd rather pay a premium for quality parts made in North America than save a few bucks on asian manufacturing.
  • 3 1
 b-mcclelland your argument is what makes it increasingly hard for true craftspeople to make a living. What you're saying is: 'if they actually paid the workers what they were worth, they (the owners/CEOs) wouldn't make any money'. Think about it.
Somehow it's OK for workers in other countries to NOT be paid what they're worth? f*cking insane way of thinking. Unfortunately you're not alone in your insanity.
  • 1 0
 mpathic, most companies aim for low production costs and high profits. Production costs are lower in Asian Newly Industrialized Countries so many western companies have their products manufactured off-shore. In Western Economically developed countries production costs are higher due to taxes, min. wages etc, which reduces the companies profit margin. The company then has to sell at a higher price compared to the competition or it will not profit enough.
There are, unfortunately, relatively few people who are willing to pay (or can afford to pay) a premium for products made by well-paid workers. The company that can keep manufacturing costs down, and can make a decent quality product normally wins.
  • 4 0
 Good luck, i hope raceface ends up better than ever!
  • 2 1
 should have kept the former operations manager from back in the 90s the company still would have been on top, to bad the boss just didnt get it.
  • 1 0
 they need to start picking up there old athletes... I feel bad for those guys!!
  • 2 0
 I hope they make good on thier pre-bankruptcy sponsership's.
  • 1 0
 Hopefully he treats the employee at RF better than he did at Rocky! This guy is a two faced lying dirtbag!
  • 1 2
 Okay great. Does this mean I can back-order that 40 tooth sprocket now? (I got a 38, and it spins out too fast.)







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