Shelter Systems is an independently owned business dedicated to creating environmentally sound, low impact, portable shelters tents and greenhouses. We manufacture a wide range of Tensegrity and Geodesic structures. Our portable shelters have protected people around the world for over 30 years by providing shelter in all types of conditions. Our greenhouse line has resulted from the blending of business with lifestyle. More.

Bob Gillis, owner of Shelter Systems and inventor of the Grip Clip tarp and tent fastener, has a long history of design in the tent industry, licensing tents to The North Face, Sierra Designs, Mountain Hardware, Marmot, and others. He has been granted 18 U.S. patents, from structural concepts to the molded clips used in the construction of Shelter Systems' dome, yurt, tent and greenhouse structures.

Bob revolutionized the tent industry in 1976 by designing the first geodesic backpacking tent, The Oval Intention, using tensegrity design principles. Almost all of the backpacking tents using flexed poles that you see on the market are covered by Bob Gillis' patents.       

Eleanor Gillis is Shelter Systems Business Manager. She handles the many day-to-day details that keeps Shelter Systems running. She also excels at climbing and dancing.
  

Jeffrey Devitt has been Production Manager for Shelter Systems for over 15 years. He is an avid outdoorsman and his attention to detail is unmatched.

Jorma Rodieck creates the web pages for Shelter Systems and Grip Clips. Jorma has lived in Santa Cruz, CA, for the last eight years, where he surfs and SCUBA dives in his free time. You can see some more of Jorma's work at his web site www.jorma.com

Jesse Smith has been working with Shelter Systems for two years. Currently a 3rd year student and intern at the Five Branches Institute, receiving a master's degree in traditional Chinese medicine. He has worked for five years in the outdoor industry and is a competitive cyclist, and an avid surfer and climber. He has lived in Santa Cruz for 10 years.

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  Shelter Systems
  100 Katherine Lane,
  Santa Cruz, CA 95065