K-Swiss
KP Global · United States
K-Swiss is an American footwear and sportswear brand founded in Los Angeles in 1966 by Swiss brothers Art and Ernie Brunner. It is best known for its leather tennis shoes and is now owned by KP Global.
| Founded | 1966, Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| Founders | Art and Ernie Brunner |
| Parent | KP Global |
| Headquarters | Glendale, California |
| Website | k-swiss.com |
What is K-Swiss?
K-Swiss is a footwear and sportswear brand with roots in tennis. It was founded in Los Angeles in 1966 by the Swiss brothers Art and Ernie Brunner, who, after moving to the United States and taking up tennis, imported leather tennis shoes from the Swiss manufacturer Kuenzli. The brand name combines the K of Kuenzli with Swiss.
History
- 2001: took a majority stake in the Australian brand Royal Elastics, later sold in 2009
- 2013: sold to the Korean group E-Land World
- 2014: introduced a new marque emphasising its heritage as an American tennis brand
- 2015: acquired Supra Footwear
- 2019: came under Chinese sports company Xtep
- 2024: acquired and taken private by KP Global, with headquarters moving to Glendale, California
Products and positioning
K-Swiss makes footwear and sportswear, with tennis shoes at the heart of its identity. In 2016 the company framed its mission as making sneakers for entrepreneurs, and it has used collaborations, including a shoe linked to the TV series Breaking Bad, to reach lifestyle audiences.
Why it matters
K-Swiss illustrates how a heritage sports brand can pass through several international owners while keeping a clear identity built on one category.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded K-Swiss?
K-Swiss was founded in 1966 in Los Angeles by the Swiss brothers Art and Ernie Brunner.
Who owns K-Swiss?
Since 2024 K-Swiss has been owned by KP Global, which took the company private.