January 14, 2011

RE: Important Recall Announcement

Dear Marker Retailer,

As we reported to you a short time ago, we have learned of a potential safety issue involving certain Marker Twin Cam bindings that requires your immediate attention and action.

What is happening?

A limited number of heel units from 2010/11 model 12 ISO/DIN Twin Cam bindings, including those sold by Marker, Völkl and Kästle, have been identified as having lower than expected release/retention values. Inspection and testing of these bindings indicates that the steel springs in some of these heel pieces were cracked or broken due to a manufacturing issue involving our German spring supplier. There have been no reports of accidents or injuries, but a lower than expected release/retention value could contribute to an inadvertent release.

To ensure that Marker’s traditional high quality standards are maintained, we are implementing a corrective action plan that will involve the return and exchange of all potentially affected bindings from your retail stock, any demo/rental stock, and any product sold to the end consumer.

We have reported these circumstances to Health Canada, and we are moving ahead with a fast track recall of these products. We need your assistance to make this happen.

Which models are being recalled?

The models and potentially affected production series that were distributed in the Canada are listed in the chart below. Some of the affected rMotion and sMotion bindings were sold as ski/binding systems with Völkl racing skis.

This recall is limited to 2010/11 models with a maximum release/retention setting of 12.0 for which production began in December 2009 for some bindings and in May 2010 for others. Sales of some models of recalled bindings began in January 2010, but others were not sold until July 2010. The attached chart shows the first retail sale dates for each recalled model.

Three of the models listed below (6820J1.WA, 6824J1.WB and 6824J1.WS) are carry-over models that are cosmetically and by article number identical to the 2009 production. The affected 2010 carry-over models can be identified only by the production code printed on the boxes in which the bindings were shipped. A diagram showing how to locate these production numbers is provided with the chart included with this letter. If the bindings have been separated from their box, affected bindings can be identified only by disassembly of the binding, but bindings in these models shipped to retailers before May of 2010 are not being recalled.

If you have demo boards with any of these recalled bindings, this recall also covers the bindings on your demo boards.

What does the recall require?

Marker will be replacing all recalled heel pieces with a new heel piece. Our spring supplier has provided us with replacement springs, and additional heel pieces are now being built.

Replacement heel pieces, as well as new bindings on the recall list that were shipped after the date of this notice, will be marked to differentiate them from heels that must be exchanged and controlled. Heels that have been cleared for distribution will be branded with the letters “IOK” on the skier’s left side of the heels, as indicated in the adjacent photo.

The set and bulk boxes in which these bindings are shipped will be marked “QC” as shown in the photos below.

What is the dealer’s role?

Your role in this fast track recall, as a Marker Authorized Retailer, is to take the following steps immediately:

  • Stop any sale, rental, demo or other use of these bindings. If you have a POS system that can block sales by SKU or any other method, please program your system accordingly.
  • Be prepared to respond to consumer questions about which bindings are subject to the recall, and to replace recalled heel pieces with new heels provided by Marker. Consumers who may have these bindings are being instructed to return them to a Marker Authorized Retailer (a Kästle retailer for Kästle bindings) to determine if their bindings are among those being recalled.
  • If the consumer’s bindings are subject to the recall, please call our customer service department for instructions and an RA to return the recalled product and to obtain a replacement. In some cases you may be able to replace the customer’s bindings with another in-stock item, but you will first need to get authorization from Marker Customer Service.
  • Marker Authorized Retailers in Canada should call our customer service department at 1-888-273-4791 with any questions and to obtain an RA for returning Marker or Völkl products.
  • Marker Völkl USA has a separate list of recalled bindings that were sold in the United States, and any questions regarding bindings purchased in the US should be referred to Marker Völkl USA at 800-453-3862.
  • Kästle has separate lists of recalled Kästle bindings that were sold in the US and Canada, which are being handled by Kästle/Marker Authorized Retailers. Call the Newman Agency in Canada at 604-657-5010, or in the US call Kästle at 970-390-4498 for information.
  • Instruct your personnel to look out for and take corrective action regarding any recalled bindings that are brought into your repair shop for mounting, adjustment or other service.
  • If you have sold, demoed or rented any recalled bindings to consumers, please review your records and prepare a list of the names, addresses and contact information for each consumer who may have these bindings, and forward that information to our customer service staff immediately so we can send a notice directly to the consumer.
  • Post the enclosed consumer notice on your counter or at another location in your store where it is likely to be seen by your customers. This notice should remain in place until March 31, 2011.

Please accept our sincere apologies for this inconvenience. Please feel free to contact Marker-Völkl with any questions about this notice.

Sincerely,

Marker-VölklCanada

Recalled Marker Völkl Canada Models

Item No. / Model / UPC / Production to be 100% Controlled / Retail Distribution Dates in CA
6820J1.WA / 12.0 TC COMP EPS WHITE/RED / 149387 / July 2010 and after
883295000111 / 151641
157094
165981
/ 168725
6877K1.VA / RMOTION 12.0 D WHITE/RED
883295002627 / 141354 / January 2010 and after
141355
141356
147065
149388
151704
153919
159889
162058
164245
164261
147065-1
147065-2
/ 153919-1
7334K1.VD / SMOTION 12.0 TC BLACK/SILVER / 141181 / January 2010 and after
141182
141183
141184
154108
159955
/ 164256
7336K1.VD / SMOTION 12.0 TC D BLACK/SILVER / 141177 / January 2010 and after
141178
141179
154109
164258
141180
147052
149383
151595
159956
164258
141179-1
141178-1
141178-2
141178-3
/ 141178-4

The 12.0 TC Comp EPS in white/red from the prior season looks identical to current models, but is not affected by this recall. 12.0 TC Comp EPS bindings shipped to retailers before July 2010 are not part of this recall.

How to find the production number: the models requiring 100% control and exchange have the production number on both the set boxes and bulk boxes on the label. These numbers can be found where indicated below—within the red circled area and behind the standard article number and the letter “M”. E.g. M123456

Marker Volkl Canada 1 Westside Drive, Unit #7 Toronto, ON M9C 1B2 Tel. 416-679-6275 Fax. 416-679-1211