Salomon is a manufacturer and distributor of footwear, apparel and equipment for snow, rock and dirt, asphalt and water related sports and activities. In the more than 50 years of making sports gear, Salomon has grown from its origins in France to 40 subsidiaries, and Salomon products are available in 160 countries, including the United States.
Company Beginnings
In 1947, the Salomon family opened a wood saw workshop for making ski edges in downtown Annecy, France. The founder was Francois Salomon, whose son, Georges, became the integral figure in turning the company into a worldwide leader of outdoor sports gear manufacturing. In 1952, Georges redesigned the company's production technique by introducing automated machinery. The new streamlined technology enabled Salomon to produce ski edges in greater quantities. Georges remained ahead of the competition by inventing a security toe piece, known as the skade, in 1955. The skade revolutionized how skis and boots were designed and built.
Commercialization
A redesign of the skade in 1961 led Salomon to gain national and international attention. The new toe piece was named after Emile Allais, considered to be the best Alpine skier at the time. Salomon would once again impact the evolution of ski equipment with its invention of a self-release heel-piece binding in 1966. The bindings were welcomed by professional skiers and used at the Olympic Winter Games in Portillo, Chile.
Expansion
By 1972, Salomon had become the world's biggest ski binding manufacturer, selling more than one million pairs of bindings that year. Demand outweighed supply and Salomon opened a bindings production plant in Annecy le Vieux, France. Salomon ski bindings became a staple in the world of skiing, and its name synonymous with quality ski gear. The recognition allowed Salomon to sign extreme skier Sylvian Saudan. Saudan was not a traditional Alpine skier and represented a chance for Salomon to venture outside of bindings. By 1976, Salomon established "The Club Line," which featured apparel, bags and gear.
Boots, Skis and Golf
It was not until 1979 that Salomon designed and marketed its first Alpine ski boot. The boot was an instant success. Despite the company's immense growth, its bindings business was not overlooked. For the 1979-80 winter season, Salomon introduced the Nordic System, a boot and binding ensemble for cross-country skiing. While ski equipment remained Salomon's main focus, the company made an unexpected move in 1984 and acquired the golf equipment manufacturer TaylorMade. It seems Salomon came full-circle when, in 1990, it launched its first ski design, the S9000 model. Today, the company makes a variety of equipment and gear for every season.
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