Erima
Privately owned (Wolfram Mannherz) · Germany
Erima is a German teamwear brand whose roots go back to 1900 in Pfullingen, Baden-Württemberg. Owned by Adidas from 1976, it became independent through a management buyout in 2005 and focuses on kits and training wear for clubs in football, handball, volleyball and other sports.
| Founded | 1900, Pfullingen |
|---|---|
| Founder | Remigius Wehrstein |
| Owner | Wolfram Mannherz (management buyout, 2005) |
| Former owner | Adidas (1976 to 2005) |
| Headquarters | Pfullingen, Germany |
| Segment | Teamwear |
| Website | erima.de |
What is Erima?
Erima GmbH supplies sportswear for team and club sports, mainly jerseys, shorts, training suits and warm-up wear. Its home is Pfullingen in Baden-Württemberg, and it promotes itself as 'Sportswear since 1900' and '100% Teamsport'. Collections include lines such as LIGA 2.0, SQUAD and Essential Team.
History
In 1900 Remigius Wehrstein opened a business selling gymnastics clothing. Erich Mak acquired the company in 1936, and in 1951 it was renamed ERIMA after him, with the name presented at the ISPO trade fair. Erima became outfitter of the German Olympic team in 1960. Adidas acquired it in 1976 as a wholly owned subsidiary. Following restructuring, Erima closed its own textile production in 1993 after moving manufacturing to Asia. In 2005 a management buyout made managing director Wolfram Mannherz the sole owner.
Products and positioning
Erima is a mid-market teamwear specialist. Its offer covers football, handball, volleyball, tennis, running, fitness and gymnastics, with coordinated kit sets that clubs can order over several seasons. It also produces fan apparel for clubs such as MT Melsungen and Rhein-Neckar Löwen.
Business model and distribution
The company sells mainly through sporting goods dealers, supported by a dealer locator, a B2B portal for trade customers and its own online shop. It has subsidiaries in France, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands. Since 2019 its warehouse has been in Kirchentellinsfurt.
Erima and technology
- 2019: move to a fully automated logistics centre in Kirchentellinsfurt, designed to handle around 2,000 orders and 2,500 parcels a day.
- B2B ordering portal for retailers and club business.
Why it matters
Erima is one of the established teamwear suppliers in the German-speaking club market, a segment driven by dealer relationships and reliable reordering. Its history as a former Adidas subsidiary turned independent company makes it a notable case in German sporting goods.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Erima?
Erima has been independent since a management buyout in 2005, after which its managing director Wolfram Mannherz became sole owner. Before that it was a subsidiary of Adidas from 1976.
Where is Erima from?
Erima is German. Its origins date back to 1900 in Pfullingen, Baden-Württemberg, where the company is still based.