Fischer Celebrates A Century
Fischer, a global leader in the sporting goods industry, is thrilled to announce the celebration of its 100th anniversary. Since its inception in 1924, Fischer has been at the forefront of innovation and quality in the world of sports equipment, and this milestone is a testament to the company's unwavering commitment to excellence.
Founded in Upper Austria by Joseph Fischer, and still headquartered there, Fischer has grown from humble beginnings to become one of the world’s largest manufacturers of ski equipment and a trusted name in skiing, hockey, and outdoor sports. Over the past century, Fischer has continuously pushed the boundaries of technology and design to deliver superior products that enhance the performance and enjoyment of athletes at all levels, following its vision to be the athlete’s number one choice.
Founded in Upper Austria 1924 by Joseph Fischer, and still headquartered there, Fischer has grown from humble beginnings to become one of the world’s largest manufacturers of ski equipment and a trusted name in skiing, hockey, and outdoor sports. Over the past century, Fischer has continuously pushed the boundaries of technology and design to deliver superior products that enhance the performance and enjoyment of athletes at all levels, following its vision to be the athlete’s number one choice.
1924-1958 FROM WAGON MAKER TO SKI FACTORY
In 1924, wagon maker journeyman Josef Fischer decides to take the courageous step of self-employment in a modest wooden barn at Ufergasse 4. The success story of the ski factory begins in Ried with money borrowed from relatives and Fischer’s associate Georg Grösslbauer. Josef Fischer, untiring in striving to achieve his goals, forges ahead with the expansion of his company at every opportunity, despite difficult financial circumstances. Upon his death in 1959, his successors inherit the Fischer ski company from him which, under his leadership, has made 500,000 pairs of skis.
1959 JOSEF FISCHER JUNIOR SETS A NEW COURSE
The year 1959 is a dramatic one in the history of the Fischer ski factory. Josef Fischer senior passes away in February, his children Josef junior and Selma Sturmberger are now in charge of the company. Josef Fischer junior reorganises the company throughout, with innovative ideas in all areas – in both production and sales. He hires new employees who help to realise his visions. He plans a new factory. It is a change process which already begins, however, in the middle of the 1950s prior to the death of his father. A process which enables the company under the leadership of Josef Fischer junior to become the largest and the most modern ski factory in the world.
1960-1978 ON THE WAY TO A GLOBAL BRAND
The 1960s and 1970s are a period of constant growth, as Fischer rises to become a world leader. This meteoric development gains impetus from the first major successes in Alpine racing, with Egon Zimmermann’s victory in the 1964 Olympics as a climax. The new ski factory goes up in Ried-Angerwaschen and is gradually expanded to become the world’s largest by the early 1970s. Launching out in new directions, Fischer starts making cross-country skis in 1971 and soon takes the lead in this field. Tennis rackets are manufactured for the first time in 1974. Fischer founds Sport AG, involving mergers with the companies Löffler, Kästle and Dynafit.
1979 - 1999 INNOVATIONS BRING SUCCESS
New methods, new processes, new materials – Josef Fischer is always on the lookout for innovations to bolster the success of the Fischer brand. The boss’s ideas are the starting point for groundbreaking new products which revolutionise the market for skis. Fischer enables a large team of developers with state-of-the-art facilities to break new ground. That is how Fischer, with its know-how in the field of fibre composite materials, becomes a supplier to the aerospace industry. But Fischer is not just a technological pioneer; it is the first ski manufacturer to relocate part of their production to eastern Europe. A new ski factory, set up in Mukachevo in Ukraine, also turns out to be vital for the company’s future.
2000-2014 SINGLE-SOURCE SUPPLIER IN THE CORE AREA OF SKIING
In the new millennium, after the difficult years 2007 and 2008, Fischer concentrates on its core competences. The shareholdings in FACC AG and Fischer Composite Technology are sold off and the Business Unit Tennis is closed down. Fischer focuses on Alpine and Nordic skiing: in these core areas the company becomes a single-source supplier – Fischer now develops not only skis but also boots, bindings and poles. By concentrating on this core area the company succeeds in consolidating its position.
2015 - 2024 Ascending to new heights
The most successful Olympic Games of 2014 are followed by eventful years in which Fischer's innovative spirit continues. First, the company takes the step towards independence with Nordic bindings and develops its own binding set-up called TURNAMIC®. In 2018, Fischer expands its portfolio by acquiring the well-known pole brand ONE WAY. However, 2020 brings sad news when the death of Josef "Pepi" Fischer, the son of the company founder, shakes the family business. Further bad news follows just two months later when a fire destroys the production facility in Mukachevo (UKR). The company management decides to rebuild, which demands an incredible amount of effort in a very short time. During these hardships, the company also must cope with the effects of COVID-19 and the outbreak of war in Ukraine.
However, Fischer overcomes all challenges and emerges stronger: The Mukachevo production facilities are now equipped with state-of-the-art production capabilities, and the company - which remains family-owned - enters the next century of its history.
Driven by innovation, quality, and passion for sports
As Fischer celebrates its centenary, the company reflects on a rich history of remarkable achievements. From pioneering advancements and groundbreaking technologies in ski and boot manufacturing, such as FISCHER VACUUM, Hole Ski Technology, Fischer CROWN, Air Composite Core, Cold Base Bonding and TURNAMIC, to introducing high-end hockey and outdoor equipment, Fischer has consistently demonstrated its ability to stay ahead of the curve to meet the evolving needs of athletes worldwide.
"We are immensely proud to reach this momentous milestone in our company's history," said Franz Föttinger, CEO of Fischer. "For 100 years, Fischer has been driven by a passion for sports and a dedication to providing athletes with the tools they need to succeed. Our commitment to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction remains as strong as ever, and we are excited to continue shaping the future of sports for the next century."
Ready to face the future
With its Austrian development center and production plant; a brand-new factory in the Ukraine equipped with state-of-the art machinery; a team of motivated and passionate colleagues; plus a roster of athletes with a strong personal bond to the brand, Fischer is ready to face the future with confidence. Quality and innovation remain the focus areas for the company as it strives to deliver the best products and services to its customers.
Pioneering with digital skis
As Fischer embarks on its second century, the company remains steadfast in its mission to inspire and enable athletes to pursue their passion. With a century of experience as a foundation, Fischer is poised to continue revolutionizing the sporting goods industry, setting new benchmarks, and empowering athletes to reach their full potential.
In this spirit the company will launch its first digital ski in the form of a non-fungible token (NFT). The NFT ski is a unique and collectible digital asset that represents Fischer’s innovative spirit and willingness to push boundaries. The NFT ski features a stunning design inspired by Fischer’s legendary RC4 Worldcup ski, which has been used by many Olympic and World Cup champions. The NFT ski also comes with exclusive benefits for the owner, such as the possibility to convert the NFT to a real ski later in 2024, The NFT ski is a limited edition of only 100 units and will be available for purchase on the Fischer website starting February, 2024. This is a historic moment for Fischer, as it becomes the first ski brand to enter the NFT market and offer its fans a new way to experience the joy of skiing.
Employees and partners vital to the company’s success
In addition to celebrating its own achievements, Fischer recognizes the vital role of its employees, partners, and customers in the company's success. The centenary celebrations will provide an opportunity to express gratitude to all those who have contributed to Fischer’s growth over the years.
