It is almost symbolic. The Winter Olympics are beginning in Pyeongchang; South Korea; and Sporten; the largest Czech ski manufacturer; has announced not only excellent results but also ambitious plans.
Last year; the company according to Hospodářské noviny; the company produced 96;000 pairs of skis and snowboards; which is the same as last year; but earned 240 million for them; which is 12 per cent more than last year.
Since last year; the new owner of the company has been Tomáš Němec; the former owner of Česká gumárenská společnost. Under his leadership; the company is doing well; turning a profit in both of the last two years. Last year; it expanded its team by thirty people to 180 employees and invested around 40 million CZK in new production technologies.
The company's plans are important not only for business but also for winter sports enthusiasts. Currently; 80% of production bears world-renowned brands; but the company wants to develop its own brands further. In addition to Sporten; which is a premium brand for higher-end skis with a laminated wooden core; the company wants to develop the traditional Artis brand. Although the trademark belongs to Lerko Sport; Sporten leases it for the production of foam-core skis; which are to form the basic range.
Sporten collaborates on the development of skis with elite Czech ski representatives such as Ondřej Bank; Jaroslav Sakala and Aleš Valenta.
The new owner has not only focused on developing his own company; but also has ambitions to buy one of the world's leading brands – he sought to acquire the famous Slovenian ski brand Elan and was also interested in brands from the Völkl; Marker and Dalbello groups. Because we know how important proper waxing is for skiers; we believe that the ability to optimise costs will also be important for the further successful development of Sporten.
