K2 Sports, based in Washington State, manufactures skis, snowboards and other skiing equipment. The company began with fiberglass skis in 1961, and these were the first such skis produced in the United States. Today, both recreational skiers and Olympic athletes ski using K2 equipment, and the company sponsors skiing and snowboarding events around the world. K2 has factories all over the globe, and it maintains a small workforce in the U.S.
From Cages to Skis
Kirschner Manufacturing made reinforced cages for use in research labs at its plant on Vashon Island, Washington, after World War II. The company also made veterinary splints using the same material, which was strong enough that animals couldn't chew through it. Bill Kirschner was trained as an engineer and was also an avid recreational skier. He experimented with various models of fiberglass skis until he hit on a successful prototype. He approached a Seattle distributor about marketing his skis, and in 1964 delivered 250 pairs made in the family shop on Vashon Island. The next year orders jumped to 1,600 pairs. By 1967, K2 Corp. was born, named for the two Kirschner brothers, Bill and Don, and for the mountain in the Himalayas.
Innovations
Unlike European-made fiberglass skis, which layered fiberglass over a wood core, K2 used a light foam core, which made a more flexible ski. The first model, the "Holiday," gained a loyal following. In 1968, the company hired the former coach of the U.S. Women's Ski team, Chuck Ferries, to develop a line of racing skis. In 1969, Marilyn Cochran won a World Cup in Giant Slalom racing with K2 skis. This was the first World Cup victory on American skis, and attracted other racers to the brand. People also liked the skis' distinctive look, which featured bands of red, white and blue at the top and bottom.
Partners
Cummins Engine Company, a manufacturer of diesel engines, bought controlling interest in the company in 1968. A group of investors bought the company in 1982. In 1985, Anthony Industries, a worldwide manufacturer of sports equipment, took over. Under Anthony's management, the company added snowboards and inline skates to its product line.
Ski Designs
As sidecut skis took over a larger share of the market, K2 introduced the K2 Four, a deeply sidecut ski made with a material designed to counteract vibrations. The K2 Four became the top-selling ski of 1996-'97, and won several industry awards. In 2010, K2 introduced a line of rocker skis, along with traditional camber skis and twin tips.
Glen Plake
Freeskiing icon Glen Plake, known for his brightly colored mohawk and daredevil antics, served as the public face of K2 skis for 20 years, after he debuted in the film "Blizzard of AAHHHs" in 1988. In 2006, Glen left K2 to become a spokesman for Elan Skis.
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