Edelrid and Red Chilli join forces
- Wednesday 7th June 2017
June 7th; 2017
News emerging from Isny im Allgau, Germany is that Edelrid and Red Chilli are joining forces. This merger will combine the strengths and synergies of the two companies to further actively develop the international climbing market.
RED CHILI will maintain its brand identity under EDELRID. With founders Stefan Glowacz and Uwe Hofstädter, remaining responsible for brand orientation and climbing shoe development. In addition, both will continue to be jointly responsible for the success of the brand in the future.
EDELRID produces climbing products in 2 countries, and distributes worldwide to over 60 countries. The RED CHILI and EDELRID brands strengthen each other strategically. Together they offer climbers the full range of highest-quality climbing products from hardware through to soft goods. This partnership will allow them to serve the retail trade and end users in an efficient and sustainable manner.
The new product portfolio will mean that EDELRID, with the exception of their popular Crocy children’s model, will discontinue their climbing shoe collection. Whilst both the RED CHILI and EDELRID apparel lines will continue to be offered to specialist retailers.
The RED CHILI brand will be expanded taking advantage of EDELRID’s infrastructure and resources, with EDELRID having taken on the majority of the workforce from the design and development departments. Climbing shoe development will continue jointly at EDELRID headquarters in Isny, in keeping with the RED CHILI slogan “Only climbers know what climbers need.”
The RED CHILI climbing brand is inseparably linked to Stefan Glowacz. The professional climber and triple Arco Rock Master winner founded the brand over 20 years ago, together with Uwe Hofstädter. Both are climbing pioneers and experts when it comes to designing climbing shoes, right down to the smallest detail. Together with their team, they develop climbing shoes – by climbers for climbers. This unique expertise is evident in every RED CHILI shoe. Over the years, their portfolio has expanded to
EDELRID was founded in 1863. Today it is a leading manufacturer of ropes, climbing equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The company is well known for it’s high level of innovation, and commitment to sustainability. EDELRID invented the kernmantel rope and also introduced the first bluesign® certified ropes to the market. Product development takes place in Isny in Allgäu, where 60% of all EDELRID products are also manufactured (including all ropes). This guarantees the exceptional quality and functionality valued by EDELRID customers around the world, as well as ensuring sustained innovation.