Kneissl Milestones
100 YEARS OF INNOVATION & ACHIEVEMENT
Kniessl, the oldest and most innovative Austrian ski brand in the world has notched up an impressive array of achievements in the last hundred years. From becoming the first registered ski brand in Austria in 1919, to having our skis dominate at a wide range of sporting events… to contributing to the continual advancement of ski technology and sponsoring the very best in new and upcoming talent.
1862
Formation of the company – originally founded as a “wooden carriage workshop”.
1900
The first skis are built in Kufstein by hand
1919
Franz Kneissl I. started the 1st serial production of alpine skis in Austria. Kneissl ist the first registered ski brand in Austria
1936
The 1st ski with “Kneissl Splitkein” conquered the market.
1950
The 1st multicoloured ski on the market – made by Kneissl – was a design revolution. Kneissl is the most successful ski brand at the Ski World Championship in Aspen with 3 out of 6 possible gold medals. Almost all members of the Austrian national team had Kneissl skis.
1960
After several years research, the 1st synthetic ski with a “sandwich construction” is introduced to the market. A new era in ski-construction begins.
1975
Kneissl is the most successful ski brand at the nordic Ski World Championship in Falun. This impressive feat confirms the breakthrough success of the newly developed “Injection” technology in ski manufacturing.
1991
Kneissl invents the “Big Foot” – the best selling product in the history of alpine skiing.
1992
Kneissl invents the world’s 1st carving ski, the “Kneissl ERGO”, and in so helps to revive the ski market from a depression.
2005
Kneissl presents its ”Glide Technology” – the 1st ski with six “edges”
2015
The JJW Group acquires 100% of Kneissl
2015
Kneissl restarted operations in its new Ebbs and Kufstein location, and a brand-new ski collection was created and introduced to the market.
2016
Kneissl expanded into the Far-East and the joint Japanese-Austrian venture Kneissl Asia was born.
2019
Kaiseraufstieg in Ebbs becomes a new production site, machines are reinstalled and in cooperation with Renntechnik skis are produced again in Tyrol
2020
We work in a growing team to further develop our products for you in order to be able to present you the best quality
2021
The global pandemic slows the tourist and sports markets, hitting the high-end clientele hard. Ski manufacturing is disrupted around the world.
2022
Kneissl bounces back and manages to double revenue as the world opens up once again.
2023
Following the success of 2022, Kneissl grows its reputation as the no.1 brand for state-of-the-art racing and comfort skis. It expands its primary base in the high-end specialty stores of Austria, Switzerland and other important European markets.
2023
As Kneissl grows its market-share and respected reputation, orders for 2023 and 2024 are exceeding all expectations.