Ortovox
Schwanhäußer Industrie Holding (Schwan-Stabilo group) · Germany
Ortovox is a German mountain sports brand founded in 1980 by Gerald Kampel and based in Taufkirchen near Munich. It has been owned since 2011 by the Schwan-Stabilo group's Schwanhäußer Industrie Holding.
| Founded | 1980 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Gerald Kampel |
| Owner | Schwanhäußer Industrie Holding (Schwan-Stabilo group), since 2011 |
| Headquarters | Taufkirchen, near Munich, Germany |
| Segment | Sportswear and outdoor |
| Website | ortovox.com |
What is Ortovox?
Ortovox is a German mountain sports brand known for avalanche safety equipment and, more recently, merino and Swiss wool sportswear. It was founded in 1980 by Gerald Kampel and is headquartered in Taufkirchen, near Munich.
History
With Jürgen Wegner, Kampel developed the Ortovox F2, an avalanche transceiver that could send and receive on two frequencies instead of the single frequency used before. The company was renamed Ortovox Sportartikel GmbH in 1990. For a long time it was the market leader in avalanche transceivers, at one point holding about 60 per cent of the market. Kampel sold the company in 2011 to Schwanhäußer Industrie Holding GmbH & Co. KG, the Schwan-Stabilo group.
Products and positioning
The range covers avalanche transceivers, backpacks, avalanche emergency equipment and sportswear made from merino and Swiss wool. The mix of safety equipment and apparel gives Ortovox a distinct premium position among mountain brands.
Business model and distribution
Ortovox belongs to the outdoor subgroup of its owner, alongside Deuter Sport and Maier Sports. The source consulted does not give a channel split between wholesale, own retail and e-commerce.
Sustainability
- 2015: joined the Fair Wear Foundation
- 2015: joined the German alliance for sustainable textiles (Bündnis für nachhaltige Textilien)
Why it matters
Ortovox links safety technology and apparel in one brand, which is uncommon in outdoor. Its history with avalanche transceivers also gave it a trusted reputation among mountain guides and backcountry skiers, a credibility that carries over to its wool clothing range.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Ortovox?
Ortovox has belonged to Schwanhäußer Industrie Holding GmbH & Co. KG, the Schwan-Stabilo group, since Gerald Kampel sold it in 2011. It sits in the group's outdoor subgroup with Deuter Sport and Maier Sports.
Where is Ortovox from?
Ortovox is a German brand founded in 1980 and based in Taufkirchen near Munich.