Or, What Four Corners did next….

After 2 of the oddest years in recent times, Four Corners is most definitely still standing. Not only are we still standing, we’re actually expanding! Having shrunk back down to the very bare bones of staffing levels during Covid, we’re delighted to say that we’re firing on all cylinders again and we’re thrilled to welcome both David Murray and Neil Kearey to the team. We also have a new home. Read on to find out more..

New Sales Director
Our new Sales Director David Murray comes ‘fresh’ from a trans-Atlantic row, but prior to that had built a very established career within software sales. Welcome to the team David!
David is a successful IRONMAN competitor, who also ‘enjoys’ ultra- marathon running and not satisfied with his achievements to date, has signed himself up for the 2023 Marathon des Sables.
He says of his move into the outdoor industry: ‘This feels like a very natural, positive transition for me. I learnt a lot about myself and what I really wanted to do after the row, and when the opportunity arose to work with some great brands so the great team at Four Corners, it ticked a lot of boxes. A real opportunity for combining my experience in sales with my passion for the outdoors’.
David will be working closely with our MD Jon Whitfield and our Sales Agent Phil Hunt, developing brands such as Kamik and Mammal winter boots amongst others.
​

Extended New Premises
After several years based at the beautiful rural setting of South Farm Court just outside Devon’s coastal town of Budleigh Salterton, we’ve taken the plunge and moved (just three miles up the road), to a bigger warehouse and brand new office premises in the nearby town of Exmouth.
Liverton Business Park is home to a mixture of small to medium independent businesses, nestled in between some of the larger ‘out of town’ type units. With the winter season right on the horizon, and the imminent arrival of (bulky!) seasonal stock, we took the decision earlier in the year to move, and finally took hold of the keys mid August. With a number of brand new premises on the site, Unit 7 suited us down to the ground.  So, as if by magic, a mezzanine level office was installed, and now, here we all are!

​Ryders has been leading the way in endurance sport eyewear since the early 80s, building a strong following among the cycling community of North America.  This leading adventure brand is looking to grow its UK market by partnering with outdoor distributors’ Four Corners UK.

Both businesses are heavily motivated to bring the best of the best in outdoor equipment to more adventurous consumers.

Ryders has deep roots in the world of performance eyewear, with a focus on performance qualities, whether they're meant for mountain biking or lounging at the beach.

Ryders are an offbeat, gritty brand with authentic routes who want to speak directly to those who take pride in their adventurous lifestyle and their practical, yet high-spirited approach to life. Four Corners are well placed to help Ryders reach like-minded retailers and consumers.

Offering a range of eyewear products, Ryders has a range of features that will appeal to a variety of users, including:

• Lifetime manufacturer guarantee
• Ultra-durable frames and anti-slip nose pads
• Only brand to offer military grade antiFOG protection
• Premium lens choices include Polycarbonate anti-shatter lenses
• 100% UV Protection

Four Corners will sell a wide selection of Ryders’ products in a competitive price range.
Jon Whitfield, Managing Director of Four Corners UK said “The Ryders products sit right in the sweet spot of being an extremely well-made piece of kit ideal for serious sports enthusiasts, while still being fashionable, and at an accessible price point. They appeal to those who want a single pair of glasses to take them from sports to social wear. We are really looking forward to introducing them to our UK retailers.”

Four Corners UK will be showcasing Ryders at the Slide trade fair in January. 

For further information on Four Corners UK or Ryders or email [email protected].  

With less than 3 weeks to go until the Women Can Marathon the female contingency of team MOL are starting to get slightly (very) nervous!

This is a fantastic event that takes in 26 and a bit off-road miles through the stunning and very hilly coast paths of the East Devon countryside. In it's second year this all female marathon was inspired to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Kathrine Switzer, the first ever woman to complete a marathon. Switzer who completed the Boston marathon in 1967, was attacked by an official during the all male event, when they realised her gender and tried to pull her off the course. ​

With a HUGE sense that we are somewhat unprepared for the task that lies ahead we just hope that we can slog through the distance and keep each other going. We are all keen runners that regularly run on the coast path, though have a somewhat haphazard approach to training. We are all very much holding on to advice such as 'you can over train' and best to turn up on race day with 'fresh legs'. We will of course let you know how we all get on, wish us luck! ​​

The MOL team were pretty excited when the Ticket to the Moon hammocks arrived. The parachute silk and vibrant colours make for an inviting lay down. There has been fierce debate in the office over which colours are best. 

​Here are the picks: 

Ronnie is one for bright yellow, reminds her of bananas & sunshine. (Accurate representation of her personality if you ask me) The turquoise is like the blue sky on a summers day. ​

Jon is a fan of the Army greens. He says he likes the blend with the environment (in reality we know it's so he can hide in trees to have an afternoon nap). ​

Personally, I like the fiery orange. My current favourite fruit (also goes well with my beanie). ​

My Grandad loves fish. He is at his happiest by a river or having a fishy dinner. My fondest memories of him are watching him fishing, he was in his element. 

As soon as I heard he was coming down to Devon for a visit I had the perfect gift for him! Chums Fish Tips retainer. His glasses were always hanging off his shirt or sliding from his forehead, I was certain this would do the trick. 

To no surprise he loved them! He wore them the entire weekend and adored the little fishes on the end. Let alone the ease of having his glasses hanging around his neck. 

If only the retainer had a GPS homing device as it didn't stop him losing his glasses after he put them down! ​

As we enter our first full year working with Sunday Afternoons, they are celebrating their 25th Anniversary. In the beginning, Angeline created all weather blankets, the spare parts became hats. The rest is history! A wonderful history at that. https://www.sundayafternoons.com/our-story
All hats come with UPF 50+ protection and a lifetime guarantee. With so many designs, these hats have a real personalised feel. The MOL team have a picked their favourite styles. 

Jon’s favourite is the Trinidad, to quote “I just love the design and the inner lining.”

​Ronnie can’t get enough of the Sun Tripper “It’s the clam shell brim!’ as she says. Burnt Orange is the colour for her. 

 A favourite of mine is the Sol Seeker in Sea Glass. The design is great and is practical when packing it into a bag. 

He only actually went and did it!!! Mr MOL completed the epic Jurassic Coast 100. Setting off from Weymouth at 2am Saturday morning, he finished on Exmouth seafront some 100km and 17 hours later.
 
Jon says of this epic, gruelling event 'it was a really fantastic and a truly rewarding experience. It was unbelievably hard in places and I really had to dig deep, but due to all the support I was able to get it done. Would 100% recommend to anyone looking for their next challenge'
 
If Jon had trained as much as he'd deliberated about which kit to take he would have knocked about 5 hours off his time! Jon finally decided to run with the Ferrino X-Track 20. With a 20l capacity Jon was worried he was carrying too much kit, (layers, enough food to feed a small army and plenty of fluids) but in the end he used and ate everything and was glad he opted for the larger pack to accommodate his gear (and appetite). "The big plus was it's bottom compartment which meant I could access it from the side and could keep moving whilst grabbing snacks and food'. 
 
‘I also made the decision to take Ferrino's Kailash telescopic, carbon running poles with me, which slotted into neat loops on the pack when not in use. I am so pleased that I did, 40 miles in with very tired legs, I used them to walk up the hills. I have not walked with poles before but I really valued the stability that they offered me and I found that I could get into a good rhythm using them up the steep hills’,
 
Another piece of MOL kit that made the cut was a Sunday Afternoons Aerial Cap.  'Once the sun came out halfway into the race the cap was ideal. Comfortable and lightweight, it also offers full sun protection, especially important for someone who does not have the benefit of hair! 
 
The rest of the MOL team are massively in awe of Jon and his accomplishment, we would say that training and preparation were not his strengths but digging deep and getting the job done on the day were. His efforts have certainly inspired the rest of the MOL team and there is now talk of a MOL team member upgrading to a full marathon from a half this weekend, (eeekkk) watch this space……. ​

We are delighted to announce that MOL have been appointed the UK distributor of Racer®, the high quality French alpine glove brand. Established since 1927 Racer® design and manufacture a range of gloves that are famous for their comfort and and use of innovative technologies. 
Racer® have developed a comprehensive collection that comprises of entry level products right through to highly technical, innovative, cutting edge designs. Though no matter which product you choose from their collection you will be 100% guaranteed a glove that offers you unrivalled comfort and performance. 

Check out their full range and do feel free to contact us if you wish to view samples of the 15/16 collection. 
​