Strategic Opportunity: Mountain Laurel Designs is Open for Acquisition or Partnership
A rare chance to step into a beloved, established brand in the outdoor industry— with a founder committed to ensuring your success.
Option 1 — Full Acquisition Purchase: 100% ownership and take complete control of the company, its brand, and future direction.
Option 2 — Majority Partnership: (50% + ownership) Acquire a controlling stake, assume day-to-day management as a co-owner. This would initially require at least a 40+hr p/w onsite management and likely some personal production work to learn the biz.
Option 3 — Minority Partnership: (< 50% ownership) Take a minority equity stake with a clear path to assuming operational leadership over a medium-term horizon, sharing in profits along the way. This would require 40+hr p/w onsite management and moderate personal production work to learn the biz.
Option 4 — Management-to-Ownership (no upfront investment required) Earn your equity. A very moderate base salary plus escalating profit-sharing and progressive ownership accrual — all tied to your tenure and company performance. Designed for the right operator who wants meaningful skin in the game without day-one capital. Expect very hard work and some odd hours. Note: this is a dynamic, immersive leadership role, not a conventional 40-hour work week position. This would initially require a 45+hr p/w onsite management and moderate amount production work to learn every part of the biz. The ideal candidate brings proven mid-level management experience, strong outdoor product development instincts, and a mature track record within the outdoor industry. Do not expect any work life balance the first year. This could be the golden ticket for a single person or a couple that wants to build a future in outdoor equipment together.
A Message From the Founder Ron Bell
I’ve built Mountain Laurel Designs from the ground up over 25 years and am now transitioning into retirement. I’m not in a rush — and I’m fully committed to remaining fully involved through any transition, for as long as it takes, to ensure the company continues to thrive. The right person or team will inherit not just a solid business, but a platform with real room to grow. I’m open to many possible ownership structures and committed to make the transition as smooth as possible. In 2026 MLD is continuing to launch new products and improve existing ones. Upside growth potential is solid and only limited by an owner’s ability to execute on initiatives.
Important Details
- The sale includes the company in name, all inventory, intellectual property, and equipment. The building and real estate are owned separately by Ron, who is open to a very favorable long-term lease, or an outright sale, to any incoming owner.
- In the event of Option 1, and possibly Option 2, and the new majority owner wants to relocate MLD outside the Roanoke VA area, Ron would be available for an extended period to travel and consult to help the transfer.
- Serious inquiries only. Due to anticipated interest, any detailed information will be shared only with highly qualified candidates and may require vetting, an in-person facility visit and/or an NDA.
- Capital-only minority investment is not being sought. We do not need investment capital. We are only interested in someone who wants to come work in the business full time or acquire it 100%.
To explore what’s possible, contact Ron directly at mountainlaureldesigns@yahoo.com.
CURRENT JOB OPENINGS
At Mountain Laurel Designs, you don’t just become an employee, you become a part of a team of dedicated super ultra-light gear builders. All of our gear is proudly made in the U.S.A. to rigourous quality standards, and shipped around the world to outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. Come help us fuel the Super Ultra-light Gear Revolution!
OUTDOOR GEAR CRAFTSPERSONS
QUALIFICATIONS:
If you are good with your hands, a quick learner and have great attention to detail, you may be well qualified to apply. No sewing experience is required!
- Ability to sit, stand and use your body/arms/hands to create great gear throughout the day.
- Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
- Ability to manage time effectively and meet production goals.
- Can work without external distractions from personal screens or devices.
- Good at adjusting to changing production tasks and the different gear to be built.
- Hardworking and self-motivated; must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with accuracy and confidence.
- Communicate with other team members to voice problems and possible solutions with a positive attitude.
- Be a good team player with a positive attitude and add to the overall positive workplace experience.
- Those with previous work experience in a fast-paced production type environment tend to do well.
- HS Graduate or equivalent minimum education required.
THE WORK:
Employees will learn to build, sew, and assemble the range of gear we design and sell.
- About 70% of the workday is spent sitting and sewing using industrial sewing machines like single and double-needle machines and bartacker machines.
- About 30% of the workday is spent standing and moving around to prepare, cut out, make reinforcements and assemble gear.
- Most items are made, from start to finish, by one person. We are not a sweatshop assembly line.
- Maintain a clean, efficient and safe workspace.
PAY + BENEFITS:
- Staring Pay at $18 per hour. (10-25% above competitors in our region and industry.)
- Quarterly Profit Sharing bonuses are based on company success, individual productivity and total time in the job. Yearly Profit Sharing averages from 5% to 10+% of base pay, but no set limit for outstanding production and contribution.
- Paychecks every week.
- Paid training. No sewing experience is needed.
- 6 Paid Holidays per year.
- 2 Weeks Paid Vacation per year. Accrual begins 60 days after hiring.
- Average of 2 to 3 extra pop-up paid holidays per year. Let My People Go Surfing Days!
- After three year’s service, options for hiking and adventure sabbaticals.
- Discounts and free gear.
- Very safe work environment.
- Two paid 15 min breaks per day.
- 30 min lunch break.
- No Weekend Work.
- No Overtime is required.
- Flexible paid sick time policy.
- Shop Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 8:00 am-5 pm. + Fri. 8:00 am -2:30 pm.
ABOUT MOUNTAIN LAUREL DESIGNS:
Mountain Laurel Designs has a small and very diversified work staff and is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate our employees’ differences, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We are an EOE employer.
- MLD was founded in 2001/2002. We are one of the original small handful of Ultralight gear companies that started between 1998 and 2003.
- MLD was the first company to build DCF backpacks (and other DCF type outdoor gear) now built by hundreds of companies. We are the oldest company to offer DCF tarps and shelters. We help pioneer ultralight small pyramid-based shelter design.
- We can see about 30mi of the Appalachian Trail from our windows, including the famous Tinker Cliffs and MacAfee’s Knob.
- We operate out of a 17,000 sq/ft building very near downtown Roanoke. Easy commuting to almost everywhere in the city or county. Most workers’ commutes are under 10 minutes!
- Note that we are a smoke-free workplace. Any smoking odors can easily attach to the special fabrics we use. There is nowhere on our property to take smoke breaks. Only non-smokers need apply.
ABOUT ROANOKE, VA:
Roanoke is a great outdoor city right in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
- Roanoke in Virginia’s Blue Ridge is a winner of the Blue Ridge Outdoors Top Adventure Towns contest!
- The Appalachian Trail passes on one side and the Blue Ridge Parkway on the other.
- With an MSA size of over 325,000 people, it’s the perfect size to be large enough for a lot of great infrastructure while being small enough to avoid many bigger city problems.
- Hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails surround us. River to kayaks. Lakes to fish and swim.
- We have the only Silver Level mountain bike trail system on the East Coast. Nearby ski areas and unique outdoor areas all around.
- We are within a 4hr drive of many major cities and world-class climbing and adventure mountains options.
- Roanoke is in a geographical pocket with mountains on three sides that will limit and significantly delay many of the negative effects of global warming. The weather here is a pleasant four seasons without harsh highs or lows. Significant weather events are rare to none—serious wildfire potential is near zero. Earthquake potential to cause any damage is near zero.
- As an outdoor city with ever-expanding greenways, Roanoke keeps getting better and better!
- Cost of living in Roanoke is moderate.
HOW TO APPLY
Look through our website to see the type and range of gear we build. Then, fillout and submit the form below OR send a full work resume that includes all dates of work and a short letter of introduction about yourself and why you may want to join our team to: mountainlaureldesigns@yahoo.com.
