Vaude Acquires Edelrid…

March 6, 2006
SGB Update

Vaude has acquired Edelmann + Ridder GmbH & Co. KG, parent company to the Edelrid brand of climbing ropes and accessories. The two companies should be able to realize synergies relatively quickly due to their close proximity and Vaude’s existing experience in the climbing market with its Lucky brand of carabiners and hardware. Edelrid specifically manufactures ropes and climbing harnesses, which compliments Vaude’s other brands without any threat of cannibalization.

In a prepared statement, Albrecht von Dewitz, Vaude’s CEO, said, “The company Edelrid allows us to expand our product portfolio even further, substantiating our position as the leading outfitter for mountain sports equipment.”

Vaude will work closely together with the current management team – Martin Korte, managing director, and Markus Wanner, assistant vice president. This group will also continue to manage the Edelrid brand and its operations. Both companies have a strong commitment to maintaining their manufacturing facilities in Germany.

Vaude employs a team of 220 people in Tettnang, located in southern Germany. Edelrid manufactures the largest share of their product range directly in Isny, Germany and Vaude management intends to keep the facility operational.

VAUDE acquires Edelrid

February 28, 2006
SGB Executive SGB Update
by

VAUDE has recently acquired the company Edelrid (Edelmann + Ridder GmbH & Co. KG). Edelrid first made a name for itself as a manufacturer of high quality cordage for mountain sports, technical industry and operational safety. Albrecht von Dewitz, VAUDE’s CEO, explains, “The Company Edelrid allows us to expand our product portfolio even further, substantiating our position as the leading outfitter for mountain sports equipment.” VAUDE places great value on maintaining the brand Edelrid, as well as the companies location in Isny, in southern Germany, with nearly 100 employees working there.

The two companies, VAUDE and Edelrid, are located close to each other and are joined by far more than just their proximity. Edelrid, the specialist for climbing equipment, specifically manufacturing ropes and climbing harnesses, further rounds out VAUDE’s product offering. VAUDE will work closely together with the strong management team positioned around Martin Korte, Managing Director, and Markus Wanner, Assistant Vice President.

Julius Edelmann and Carl Ridder first founded the cord and lace company Edelmann + Ridder, in 1863 in Isny, in the Allgäu region of southern Germany. Today it is the oldest technical mountaineering rope manufacturer in Europe. In the 1950’s Edelrid developed the Kernmantel rope construction that is still being used to this very day in the production of most alpine ropes.
Edelrid is the fourth brand in the VAUDE Group, alongside VAUDE, Lucky (manufacturer of climbing hardware) and Markill (specialist for cooking and hydration systems).

Both VAUDE and Edelrid are dedicated to Standort Germany as an investment and industrial location. VAUDE employs a continually growing team of 220 people at this time in Tettnang, located in southern Germany and the same site where one of their product segments is still entirely produced. Edelrid manufactures the largest share of their product range directly in Isny, starting from the first production step all the way to the finished product. Another strong tie joining VAUDE and Edelrid, are their traditions as family businesses.

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