[caption id="attachment_28385" align="alignright" width="360" caption="Lowepro, maker of camera carrying equipment, moved into one floor of this former Cisco building in Petaluma."][/caption]
PETALUMA – Lowepro, an industry leader in camera carrying equipment, has expanded into new quarters in a former Cisco Systems building in Petaluma.
The longtime Sebastopol maker of popular carriers like Pro Roller and DryZone leased an entire floor -- about 22,480 square feet -- at 1435 N. McDowell Blvd., according to building owner Alon Adoni of Cornerstone Properties.
Lowepro executives, who travel extensively on the trade show circuit, were not available for comment.
Privately held Lowepro, estimated to have about 100 employees, is the flagship brand of Canadian company DayMen Photo Marketing.
DayMen, with U.S. headquarters now in Petaluma, sells Lowepro bags, packs and cases for photographic, imaging and other electronics such as GPS systems and laptops in more than 100 countries through subsidiaries and distributors.
The 40-year-old brand has the reputation of being the premium maker of equipment carriers.
“They’re a great addition to the business community here in Petaluma,” said Mr. Adoni. “Lowepro people are wonderful to work with.”
The company has plenty of room to expand in its present quarters, he said, and could even expand beyond them without leaving the building. With the exception of a mortgage company on another floor, the building is 50 percent vacant.
In October, it was announced that Brockway Moran & Partners, a Florida-based private equity firm, acquired a majority interest in DayMen.
The Lowepro lease was arranged by Danny Jones of Keegan & Coppin.
