Völkl
German sports-equipment brand best known for alpine skis and also associated with tennis racquets and related equipment.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Völkl is a German sports-equipment brand with roots in Straubing, Bavaria, and a history spanning more than a century of manufacturing. The business developed from the Völkl family’s earlier production of boats, sleds, and horse-drawn carriages. In 1923, Georg Völkl took over the operation and began producing skis, establishing the product category that would become the company’s defining business. Under Georg’s leadership, Völkl expanded during the first half of the twentieth century and by the early 1950s had become a significant European ski manufacturer. The brand’s principal identity remains tied to alpine skiing. Its portfolio has included skis and associated accessories, with product development and competition activity helping position Völkl within the specialist winter-sports market. Völkl also produced snowboards from 1997 until 2017, but snowboarding is no longer identified as part of its current core range in the available reference material. The company’s ski business has operated alongside the Marker and Dalbello brands within broader sporting-goods ownership structures, giving it access to a wider snowsports portfolio. Völkl’s ownership history reflects consolidation in the North American and international sporting-goods industries. Jarden Action Sports formerly owned Völkl and Marker. Jarden acquired K2 and LINE in 2007, and Newell acquired Jarden in 2016. In 2017, Newell sold Völkl and K2 to Kohlberg & Company. That transaction led to the creation of Elevate Outdoor Collective, a Bellevue, Washington-based snowsports company whose brand portfolio includes Völkl, Marker, Dalbello, and the K2 group of brands. Völkl therefore operates as a specialist brand within a broader private-equity-backed outdoor-equipment platform rather than as an independently listed company. The brand also has a separate tennis-business history. Völkl tennis racquets began production in the early 1970s, and the Zebra racquet was among the early racquets made with composite materials rather than traditional wood. Völkl racquets have been used by a number of professional players, including Boris Becker, John McEnroe, Michael Stich, Sergi Bruguera, Petr Korda, Jana Novotna, Stefanie Vögele, Liezel Huber, and Laura Siegemund. Since 1994, the V1 Classic has served as the company’s signature tennis-racquet model. The tennis racquets are produced by a separate company, Völkl Tennis, at a factory in Bogen, Germany. Today, Völkl is best understood as a performance-oriented equipment brand centered on alpine skiing, with a distinct tennis-racquet business and a legacy in snowboards. Its market profile combines German manufacturing heritage, specialist product engineering, and participation in competitive snowsports. The available material does not establish a precise global operating footprint, current revenue, or a complete corporate executive roster. Today, Völkl is best understood as a performance-oriented equipment brand centered on alpine skiing, with a separate tennis-racquet business and a snowboarding heritage. Its market identity combines German manufacturing tradition, specialist product engineering, and competitive snowsports participation. The available sources do not establish its precise global operational footprint, current revenue, or full corporate leadership roster.
History
Völkl’s origins are associated with a family workshop in Straubing, Bavaria. Before the company became known for skis, Franz Völkl produced boats, sleds, and horse-drawn carriages under his own name during the 1910s. In 1923, his son Georg assumed control and began making the company’s first skis. This transition gave the business its enduring connection to winter sports and established the foundation for the Völkl brand. During the decades that followed, Völkl concentrated on ski manufacturing and expanded its position in Europe. Under Georg Völkl’s leadership, the company was described as a leading European ski manufacturer by the early 1950s. Its development reflected the growth of alpine skiing as both a recreational activity and a competitive sport. The brand’s subsequent identity has remained strongly connected with performance-oriented alpine equipment. Völkl later broadened its sports portfolio. Tennis racquets entered production in the early 1970s, creating a second long-running product category. The Zebra racquet was notable for its use of composite construction at a time when wooden racquets were still common. Völkl tennis equipment gained visibility through association with professional players including Boris Becker, John McEnroe, Michael Stich, Sergi Bruguera, Petr Korda, Jana Novotna, Stefanie Vögele, Liezel Huber, and Laura Siegemund. The V1 Classic became the brand’s signature tennis-racquet model from 1994 onward. Tennis racquets are produced by a separate Völkl Tennis company at a factory in Bogen, Germany, distinguishing that operation from the ski business. The brand also entered snowboards in 1997. Snowboarding remained part of Völkl’s product history until 2017, when production ended. The available reference material does not provide detailed reasons for the discontinuation, so it is best treated as a portfolio change rather than assigned a specific strategic rationale. Völkl’s corporate ownership changed several times as the sports-equipment sector consolidated. Jarden Action Sports owned Völkl and Marker for a period. Jarden acquired K2 and LINE in 2007, bringing additional outdoor and winter-sports brands into its orbit. Newell acquired Jarden in 2016. In 2017, Newell sold Völkl and K2 to Kohlberg & Company. The deal resulted in the creation of Elevate Outdoor Collective, a Bellevue, Washington-based snowsports company whose portfolio also includes Marker, Dalbello, and the K2 group of brands. Völkl consequently became part of a multi-brand snowsports platform backed by private equity rather than remaining within Newell’s consumer-products structure. Völkl continues to be presented as a German sports-equipment brand whose main current categories are alpine skiing and tennis equipment and accessories. Its ski business has maintained links with competitive racers, while its tennis history gives the brand a broader sporting identity. The available sources do not establish a detailed current management structure, financial profile, or full geographic distribution network. Accordingly, the brand’s documented history is strongest in its product development, ownership changes, and continuing association with specialist sports equipment.
- 2017
Völkl joins Elevate Outdoor Collective
[1]Newell sold Völkl and K2 to Kohlberg & Company. The transaction led to the creation of Elevate Outdoor Collective.
- 2017
Snowboard production ends
[1]Völkl stopped producing snowboards after a product run that began in 1997.
- 2016
Newell acquires Jarden
[1]Newell acquired Jarden, placing Völkl within Newell’s corporate portfolio before the subsequent sale to Kohlberg & Company.
- 2007
Jarden acquires K2 and LINE
[1]Jarden, which had owned Völkl and Marker, acquired K2 and LINE, expanding its action-sports and winter-sports brand portfolio.
- 1997
Völkl launches snowboards
[1]Völkl entered the snowboard category, which remained part of its product history until 2017.
- 1994
V1 Classic becomes the signature tennis model
[1]The V1 Classic became Völkl’s signature tennis-racquet model from 1994.
- 1970
Völkl enters tennis racquets
[1]Völkl began producing tennis racquets in the early 1970s, adding a second enduring sports-equipment category.
- 1950
Völkl becomes a leading European ski manufacturer
[1]By the early 1950s, the company had developed into a significant European ski manufacturer under Georg Völkl’s leadership.
- 1923
Georg Völkl begins ski production
[1]After taking over the family operation, Georg Völkl produced the company’s first skis and established the brand’s long-term connection with winter sports.
- 1910
Franz Völkl produces boats, sleds, and horse-drawn carriages
[1]The Völkl family business was producing boats, sleds, and horse-drawn carriages before its later move into ski manufacturing.
Products and positioning
A specialist performance-sports brand built around alpine skiing, with a secondary heritage in tennis racquets and a reputation rooted in German equipment manufacturing.
Alpine skiing · 1923
Völkl alpine skis
Alpine skis are Völkl’s historic and principal product category. The company began ski production in 1923 and developed into a major European ski manufacturer by the early 1950s. The brand’s current identity remains centered on alpine skiing, supported by a history of specialist manufacturing and links with competitive ski racers. Specific current model names and technical specifications are not established in the supplied reference material.
Tennis equipment · 1970
Völkl tennis racquets
Völkl tennis racquets have been produced since the early 1970s and form the brand’s principal non-winter-sports category. The Zebra racquet was among the early composite racquets produced instead of using traditional wood construction. The racquets have been associated with several professional players, and the V1 Classic has been the signature model since 1994. Production is handled by the separate Völkl Tennis company at its Bogen, Germany, factory.
Snowboarding · 1997
Völkl snowboards
Völkl produced snowboards from 1997 through 2017. This historical line extended the brand into a neighboring winter-sports category, but snowboard manufacturing ended in 2017. The supplied sources do not identify the specific models, technologies, or commercial reasons associated with the line’s discontinuation.
Winter-sports accessories
Völkl ski accessories
The Völkl brand is also associated with accessories for skiing and related sports. The available reference material confirms the category but does not provide a detailed itemization of current accessories, model names, or product specifications.
Brand decisions
2017
Transfer from Newell to Kohlberg & CompanyM&ABackground
Völkl had passed into Newell’s portfolio through Newell’s acquisition of Jarden in 2016. Newell subsequently sold Völkl and K2 to Kohlberg & Company in 2017.
Action taken
Kohlberg & Company acquired the Völkl ski brand and placed it within the newly created Elevate Outdoor Collective, alongside brands including Marker, Dalbello, and the K2 group.
Aftermath
Völkl became part of a dedicated snowsports platform backed by private equity. The available source does not provide transaction value or further operating details.
2017
Discontinuation of snowboard productionStrategyBackground
Völkl had produced snowboards since 1997 as an extension of its winter-sports portfolio.
Action taken
The company ended snowboard production in 2017.
Aftermath
Völkl’s documented current focus returned to alpine skiing and tennis equipment and accessories. No specific rationale is supplied by the reference material.
Recent events
Elevate Outdoor appoints Max Kalbfell as global marketing director[2]
Elevate Outdoor Collective appointed Max Kalbfell as global marketing director. His responsibilities focus on the company's Völkl, Marker and Dalbello brands.
Sources2 sources
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