Fischer (company)

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,[1] the company had significantly expanded its ski manufacturing, with 30 employees, and was 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.

In 1949, Fischer developed the first ski press to speed up production, which was still by hand. By 1958,[1] 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.[2]

In the early 70s, Fischer became the biggest ski manufacturer in the world.[1] 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 the buy-back. Since then, Fischer has been 100% family-owned.[1]

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.[1] This 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 three gold medals.[3] US-American Joss Christensen is the first Olympic champion in the Alpine discipline of Freeski Slopestyle.[4] At the Alpine, Nordic and Biathlon World Championships 2017 in St. Moritz (SUI), Lahti (FIN) and Hochfilzen (AUT) the Fischer Race Family 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.

Fischer Sports has several affiliates:[5]

• Fischer Deutschland GmbH (Germany)
• OOO Fischer (Russia)
• Fischer Mukachevo (Ukraine)
• Fischer Skis US, LLC (United States)
• Fischer Footwear SRL, Montebelluna (Italy)
• Fischer France SARL (France)

• Official website