Karhu
Karhu Holding B.V. · Finland
Karhu is a Finnish sports brand founded in Helsinki in 1916 and best known today for running and lifestyle footwear. It is owned by the Dutch company Karhu Holding B.V., which bought it in 2008.
| Founded | 1916, Helsinki |
|---|---|
| Owner | Karhu Holding B.V. (since 2008) |
| Headquarters | Netherlands |
| Country of origin | Finland |
| Known for | Running and lifestyle footwear |
| Website | karhu.com |
What is Karhu?
Karhu, the Finnish word for bear, is a sports brand that makes running and lifestyle footwear and apparel. It began as a supplier of athletics and winter sports equipment.
History
The company was founded in Helsinki in 1916 as Oy Urheilutarpeita and took the name Karhu in 1920. Its athletes wore its shoes and spikes at the 1920 and 1924 Olympics. Early products included skis, discus and javelins, track spikes, pesaepallo (Finnish baseball) equipment and ice hockey gear. In 1952 it sold its three stripe trademark to Adidas. Its ski business moved to North America in 2006 under K2 Sports.
Products and positioning
Karhu today concentrates on running and lifestyle shoes. Its running line is built on Fulcrum technology, developed with the University of Jyvaeskylae from the 1980s. The brand occupies a premium specialty position, with strong design heritage.
Ownership
Karhu Sporting Goods sold the brand in 2008 to Karhu Holding B.V., a Dutch holding company. Its investors include Huub Valkenburg and the Arese family of Italy, and it is run by Emanuele Arese. The brand is headquartered in the Netherlands.
Business model and distribution
Karhu sells through specialist running retailers and online. Fleet Feet has been the exclusive US retailer of its running line since 2017. The brand has been official supplier of the 2024 European Athletics Championships and has an agreement with the Italian Paralympic Committee covering the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
Why it matters
Karhu is a rare example of a century old Nordic sporting brand that has been relaunched as a design led running label while keeping its link to athletics.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Karhu?
Karhu is owned by Karhu Holding B.V., a Dutch holding company that bought the brand in 2008. It is run by Emanuele Arese.
Where is Karhu from?
Karhu is a Finnish brand founded in Helsinki in 1916, although its holding company and headquarters are now in the Netherlands.