Kneissl
| Industry | Snowsports |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1861 |
| Headquarters | Kufstein, Austria |
|
Key people
|
Andreas Gebauer |
| Products | Ski equipment, Tennis Racquets |
|
Number of employees
|
28 |
| Website | www.kneissl.com |
Kneissl is a manufacturer of handmade skis, biking and tennis equipment and apparel, based in Kufstein, Tyrol, Austria.
The Kneissl Company was founded as a wheel factory in 1861. The first skis were produced in 1919. In the sixties, Kneissl developed the first plastic skis featuring a wood core. Ski racer Karl Schranz made the Kneissl White Star ski one of the most sought after in the world. In the Seventies, the company expanded into cross-country ski and tennis racquet production.
In 1980, Kneissl went bankrupt and was bought out by German cross-country ski manufacturer Trak, as sole owner. In 1983, US company Tristar took over Kneissl.
In February 1989, BREG Gesellschaft für Bau und Revitalisierung, belonging to Hans Peter Haselsteiner and Erhard Grossnigg and Reinfried Spazier, took a majority stake.
Kneissl was credited with the invention of “big foot” skis in 1990. It was also the first company to sell a carving ski in Austria.
In 1992, Kneissl and Dachstein were merged into Molln-based Kneissl Dachstein Sportartikel AG. In fiscal year 1993/1994, the company, employing 320 people, achieved revenues of 627 million Schilling. However, in 2003, Kneissl became insolvent for the second time.
In 1995, Kneissl joined with Switzerland Raichle and integrated the Dynafit, Dee Luxe and Marker brands.
In 1998, the company was renamed Kneissl & Friends. In 1999, production was stopped at Molln and headquarters moved back to Kufstein. 2 production sites were opened in Hungary.
In September 2002, the expansion strategy had failed. Ski production in Kufstein had to be adjusted, and part of it taken up by Fischer. Raichl was sold to Mammut AG in January 2003 and 3 months later, Kneissl applies for insolvency. It was bought up by a consortium, which saw its members step down one by one.
In 2006, production was terminated in Kufstein and moved to the Czech Republic and Carinthia or contracted out to Fischer.
In 2008, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber took a controlling stake in Kneissl through his JJW Hotels & Resorts group. New orientation was the opening of up to 70 Kneissl Star Lounges worldwide - a concept mixing shopping and catering in a same place - as well as several Kneissl Star Resort Hotels.
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Wikipedia