8 October 2026International edition
Vol. I · No.
8 October 2026
AI in Fashion
DAILY
The daily briefing on AI in the fashion business
Where fashion meets artificial intelligence.
Sportswear and outdoor

Swix

Ferd · Norway

Swix is a ski wax, pole and sportswear brand founded in 1946 by Börje Gabrielsson. According to Wikipedia it is owned by the Norwegian investment company Ferd and has its headquarters in Lillehammer.

Facts
Founded1946
FounderBörje Gabrielsson
OwnerFerd AS (since 1978, per Wikipedia)
HeadquartersLillehammer, Norway
SegmentSportswear and outdoor
Websiteswixsport.com
Segment
Mid-market
Categories
SportswearAccessoriesOutdoor
Sales channels
WholesaleE-commerce

What is Swix?

Swix is a winter sports brand best known for ski wax, ski poles and sportswear, particularly for cross-country skiing. Wikipedia states that it was founded in 1946 in Sweden by Börje Gabrielsson, with manufacturing starting in Skåne, Sweden, and near Oslo, Norway. By 1964 production had moved fully to Norway.

Ownership

Wikipedia names Ferd AS, a Norwegian investment company, as the current owner, which it has been since 1978. The list hint for this profile named Orkla as the group, but the source consulted does not support that, so Ferd is used here. Ownership should still be confirmed with the company.

Products and positioning

The brand's three main product areas are ski wax, ski poles and sportswear. It is positioned as a performance and mid-market brand with strong links to Nordic skiing and its competition culture.

Business model and distribution

The source consulted does not describe sales or distribution channels, only the history of production. No revenue figures are cited.

Why it matters

Swix is a global reference name in ski preparation and a case of a Nordic sports brand expanding from a single product category into apparel. Its long ownership by a single investor is unusual among sports brands.

Frequently asked questions

Who owns Swix?

Wikipedia states that Swix is owned by the Norwegian investment company Ferd AS, which has held it since 1978.

Where is Swix from?

Swix was founded in Sweden in 1946, but production moved fully to Norway by 1964 and its headquarters are in Lillehammer.

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