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Fischer (company)

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Fischer Sports GmbH
IndustrySporting goods
Founded1924
HeadquartersRied im Innkreis, Austria
Key people
Josef Fischer Sr., founder
Franz Föttinger, CEO
Bernhard Matzner, CFO
ProductsAlpine Skis, Alpine Bindings, Alpine Boots, Alpine Poles, Nordic Skis, Nordic Bindings, Nordic Boots, Nordic Poles, Jumping Skis, Accessories and Hockey
Revenue(2011l12) 184,7 million EUR
(2012l13) 173,5 million EUR
(2013l14) 186,1 million EUR
(2014l15) 159,8 million EUR
Number of employees
Ried im Innkreis (AUT): 492
Mukatschewo (UKR): 1167
Other locations: 139
Websitewww.fischersports.com www.fischer-hockey.com

Fischer Sports is an Austrian company that produces Nordic Skiing, Alpine Skiing and Hockey equipment. It is one of the largest manufacturers of equipment in the world cup for both Nordic and Alpine skiing disciplines and manufactures a wide range of skis and ski equipment targeted against both professionals and amateurs. Fischer has achieved innovative success in both Alpine and Nordic in the last three World Championships as well as at the Olympic Games.

Affiliated Companies

Fischer Sports has several affilitates:[1]

  • Fischer + Löffler Germany GmbH (GER)
  • OOO Fischer (RUS)
  • Fischer Mukatschewo (UKR)
  • Fischer Skis US, LLC (USA)
  • Fischer Footwear SRL, Montebelluna (ITA)
  • Fischer France SARL (FRA)

History

The early years

The company was founded in 1924 by Josef Fischer, Sr., a cartwright, in Ried im Innkreis, northeast of Salzburg, Austria. In addition to making wagons, he made an occasional pair of skis. By 1938,[2] the company had significantly expanded its ski manufacturing, with 30 employees, and selling 2,000 pairs of handmade skis in the United States alone. Following the conclusion of World War II, Josef Fischer, Jr. became involved in the reconstruction of the company.

Emergence into a new era

In 1949, Fischer developed the first ski press to speed up production, which was still by hand. By 1958,[3] the company employed 137 craftsmen, and was manufacturing 53,000 pairs of skis annually. In that year, Fischer adopted its three-triangle logo. In 1964, the company completed a new factory on the outskirts of town, featuring a state-of-the-art computerized sawmill. Fischer also introduces metal skis for the first time, on which Egon Zimmerman won the downhill at the 1964 Winter Olympics. By 1967, the company had 775 employees, and produced 330,000 pairs of skis. The company has devoted considerable research efforts over the years to develop skis for racing, including alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and skis for attempting the world speed record.[4]

Fischer Sports Factory – Ried im Innkreis (AT) - 2013

On the fast track

In the early 70s, Fischer became the biggest ski manufacturer in the world.[5] The Europa 77, with its fibre-glass technology, was revolutionary. This was the foundation to capture the Scandinavian market. Franz Klammer won the Olympics in 1976 on Fischer C4 skis. In 1988, Fischer opened the factory in Mukatschewo (Ukraine).

Family ties

2002 was the year of the buy back. Since then, Fischer has been 100% family-owned. In 2011, Fischer was able to present a world first: the VACUUM FIT.[6] With this technology, it became possible to fully adapt the ski boots, making them more comfortable to wear. Since the foundation of the company, the focus has been on new technologies and innovation. The concentration on core competencies and the development as a family enterprise is at the forefront of Fischer’s approach.[7] In 2013, the headquarters was renovated.

"We are the only family-owned company in the business and I am delighted that this has been the case for so many years (…)."

— Josef Fischer, 2014 [8]

Rottefella/Fischer Partnership

Beginning 2007-2008, Fischer partnered with Nordic Binding producer Rottefella. Rottefella bindings will be the official bindings of Fischer Skis boots. Fischer boots used the Salomon Nordic System (SNS) up until the 2007/2008 season. Rottefella is the manufacturer of NNN (New Nordic Norm) bindings. These two binding systems are not compatible, and, beginning in 2007, Fischer boots will be using the NNN system to be compatible with Rottefella bindings.

Fischer in Professional Sports

At the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi 39 gold-, 36 silver- and 35 bronze medals were awarded to Fischer athletes. A total of 108 medals, which were won mainly in the Nordic disciplines.[9] This even surpassed the result at the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver 2010 (74 medals) .The Norwegian athlete Marit Bjørgen, who is equipped by Fischer, has become the best Olympic cross country skier of all time. In Sochi she won 3 gold medals.[10] US-American Joss Christensen is the first Olympic champion in the Alpine discipline of Freeski Slopestyle.[11]

Fischer in Alpine Skiing

Fischer in Nordic Skiing

References

  1. ^ Fischer Sports / Facts and Figures
  2. ^ 90 Years Fischer History
  3. ^ 90 Years Fischer History
  4. ^ "The Fischer Story", Skiing (November 1985) p. 142
  5. ^ 90 Years Fischer History
  6. ^ ISPO European Ski Award 2011
  7. ^ 90 Years Fischer History
  8. ^ 90 Years Fischer History
  9. ^ 90 Years Fischer History
  10. ^ Marit Bjørgen results Olympic Games
  11. ^ Slopestyle Men results Sochi 2014
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