Fischer Sports is an Austrian winter sports equipment manufacturing company, more specifically

Nordic skiing Nordic skiing encompasses the various types of skiing in which the toe of the ski boot is fixed to the Ski binding, binding in a manner that allows the heel to rise off the ski, unlike alpine skiing, where the boot is attached to the ski from toe ...

Alpine skiing Alpine skiing, or downhill skiing, is the pastime of sliding down snow-covered slopes on skis with fixed-heel bindings, unlike other types of skiing ( cross-country, Telemark, or ski jumping), which use skis with free-heel bindings. Whether for ...

and ice hockey equipment. Winter sports equipment include skis, boots, bindings, and accessories ( bags, backpacks). For ice hockey, Fischer produces sticks, skates, pucks, blades, jerseys, and protective gear ( jockstraps, socks, gloves, and visors). The company's clothing line includes t-shirts, polo shirts,

jacket A jacket is a garment for the upper body, usually extending below the hips. A jacket typically has sleeves, and fastens in the front or slightly on the side. A jacket is generally lighter, tighter-fitting, and less insulating than a coat, which ...

s, pants, hoodies, raincoats,

knit cap A knit cap is a piece of knitted headwear designed to provide warmth in cold weather. It usually has a simple tapered shape, although more elaborate variants exist. Historically made of wool, it is now often made of synthetic fibers. Found a ...

glove A glove is a garment covering the hand. Gloves usually have separate sheaths or openings for each finger and the thumb. If there is an opening but no (or a short) covering sheath for each finger they are called fingerless gloves. Fingerless glov ...

s, kerchiefs, and

sock A sock is a piece of clothing worn on the feet and often covering the ankle or some part of the calf. Some types of shoes or boots are typically worn over socks. In ancient times, socks were made from leather or matted animal hair. In the late ...

History

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 1938,90 Years Fischer History the company had significantly expanded its ski manufacturing, with 30 employees, and sales of handmade skis in the United States reached 2,000 pairs. Following the conclusion of World War II, Josef Fischer Jr. became involved in the reconstruction of the company. In 1949, Fischer developed the first ski press to speed up production, which was still by hand. By 1958, 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 introduced metal skis for the first time, on which Egon Zimmerman won the downhill at the

1964 Winter Olympics The 1964 Winter Olympics, officially known as the IX Olympic Winter Games (german: IX. Olympische Winterspiele) and commonly known as Innsbruck 1964 ( bar, Innschbruck 1964, label=Austro-Bavarian), was a winter multi-sport event which was celebr ...

. By 1967, the company had 775 employees, and produced 330,000 pairs of skis. The company's research efforts over the years include skis for racing, including alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and skis for attempting the world speed record. In the early 70s, Fischer became the biggest ski manufacturer in the world. 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 Mukachevo, Ukraine. 2002 was the year of Fischer's stock buy-back. Since then, Fischer has been 100% family-owned. Fischer Tennis division was sold to tennis accessories manufacturer Pacific Entermark GmbH in 2009.

Success in professional sports

At the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi 39 gold, 36 silver and 35 bronze medals were awarded to athletes with Fischer equipment: a total of 108 medals, which were won mainly in the Nordic disciplines. This surpassed the result at the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver 2010 (74 medals). T The Norwegian athlete Marit Bjørgen, who is equipped by Fischer, is the best Olympic cross country skier of all time. In Sochi she won three gold medals. US-American Joss Christensen is the first Olympic champion in the Alpine discipline of Freeski Slopestyle. At the Alpine, Nordic and Biathlon World Championships 2017 in St. Moritz (SUI), Lahti (FIN) and Hochfilzen (AUT) the Fischer equipped athletes took 45 gold-, 43 silver- and 38 bronze medals – a total of 126 medals. At the 2019 World Championships in Seefeld (AUT), Östersund (SWE)and Åre (SWE) there were 129 medals - 45 gold, 40 silver and 43 bronze.

Affiliated companies

Fischer Sports has several affiliates: * Fischer Deutschland GmbH ( Germany) * Fischer France SARL ( France) * Fischer Mukachevo ( Ukraine) * Fischer Skis US, LLC ( United States) * Fischer Footwear SRL, Montebelluna ( Italy) * OOO Fischer ( Russia)

In Alpine skiing

Active

Retired

In Nordic skiing

Active

Retired:

References

External links

* {{Authority control Sporting goods manufacturers of Austria Fischer Manufacturing companies established in 1924 Austrian brands Austrian companies established in 1924 Economy of Upper Austria