Kempa
Uhlsport · Germany
Kempa is a German handball brand introduced in 2002 by Uhlsport, the sporting goods company based in Balingen. It is named after handball player Bernhard Kempa and supplies equipment, apparel and shoes to players, clubs and national teams.
| Introduced | 2002 |
|---|---|
| Parent | Uhlsport |
| Sport | Handball, also volleyball |
| Footwear partner | Michelin |
| Website | kempa-sports.com |
What is Kempa?
Kempa is a specialist handball brand owned by Uhlsport, a sporting goods manufacturer based in Balingen. It is named after Bernhard Kempa, a former German handball player and coach who invented the Kempa trick.
History
The brand was introduced in May 2002. Since 2010 it has co-developed handball shoes with Michelin, which supplies the sole rubber, and the first of these shoes launched in 2012. Since 2023 Kempa has also supplied the German women's and men's national volleyball teams.
Products and positioning
Kempa makes equipment and apparel for handball players of all levels, with footwear a key category. The Michelin collaboration underlines its focus on performance on indoor courts.
Teams and athletes
Kempa has a long record of team partnerships:
- The German national handball team from 2002 to 2007 and from 2013 to 2020
- National teams including Brazil, Iceland, Qatar and Tunisia
- Clubs such as HBW Balingen-Weilstetten, TVB Stuttgart and Buxtehuder SV
- Players including Uwe Gensheimer and Björgvin Páll Gústavsson
Why it matters
Kempa shows how a focused, single sport brand inside a larger group can build authority through team partnerships and technical collaborations.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Kempa?
Kempa is owned by Uhlsport, a sporting goods company based in Balingen, Germany.
Why is the brand called Kempa?
It is named after Bernhard Kempa, a German handball player and coach who invented the Kempa trick.