1946
Karrimor Bag Company founded by Charles and Mary Parsons, along with Grace Davies to produce cycle bags
1948
Karrimor introduce Weathertite Cycling products, manufactured in rooms above Rawtensall retail bike shop
1952
Karrimor Weathertite Products registered as private company
1958
First climbing sacs (Sac de Grimpeur) produced in conjunction with climbers, Jimmy Rostron and Dave Thomas
1959
Karrimor starts work with Joe Brown
1960
introduces Joe Brown Rucsac
1964
Karrimor release the orange coloured Alpiniste sac, born of partnership with Don Whillans
1965
first factory opens in Haslingden
1966
Karrimor introduce pack frames
introduces the pressure-blown, closed-cell foam Karrimat sleeping pad, derived from rucsac shoulder pad foam
1967
first exported product - to USA
1968
first Mountain Marathon held in North Pennines - precursor to all adventure races
1970
business grown 800% in past decade to reach £1.5 million
1971
Karrimor International Mountain Marathon (KIMM) inaugurated, when Karrimor assume sponsorship of event
1972
Karrimor appoints Dougal Haston as technical advisor
‘Haston Alpiniste’ sac in purple becomes the 'most famous alpine sac ever'
Ked Ledward commences six year stint as full-time gear tester and product developer
Marathon I and II tents launched, weighing about 900 gm (2 lbs)
Mike Parsons, son of Charles and Mary Parsons, is joined by sister, Jen Longbottom, in Karrimor manufacturing
1974
employs 300 staff across two UK factories
1975
Chris Bonnington's 'Everest South West Face' expedition is successful, equipped with Karrimor products.
Junko Tabei of Japan becomes the first women to climb Everest using a Karrimor pack frame sac.
employees have risen from seven to 163, turnover has increased tenfold
largest UK rucksack producer, approx 80% of UK market
40% of sales attributed to export orders
1978
Peter Habeler achieves the first ascent of Everest without oxygen using Karrimor equipment.
1979
KS100e introduced, considered to be the world's first waterproof texturised fabric, sourced from BM Coatings
1980
Karrimor Sports Boot (K-SB)’s introduced. First outdoor footwear made from lightweight fabric.
1983
Introduction of the size adjustable (SA) back system for sacs
have sold 20,000 pairs of K-SB 3 boots
1986
introduces a range of polar garments and accessories
1990
KSBs relaunched with Gore-tex model(s) involved
1991
receives a British Design award for the Condor pack
Miike Parson receives Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild's Golden Boot Award at the Camping and Outdoor Leisure Association Show
1993
chairman Mike Parsons, sells 25% stake to investment company Gartmore, to help buy Phoenix Mountaineering, and Life Cycle
1996
acquired by 21 Invest - part of the Italian Benetton empire - for £7 million
1997
Introduction of volume adjuster fit kits to the KSB footwear
turnover £19-20 million
acquired Europa Sport, which was the distribution company of Lowe Alpine Group UK
Europa Sport purchase also included the distribution rights to sports brands like Rollerblade, Nordica, Asolo and Prince.
As a result fo Europa purchase Karrimor’s annual turnover expected to increase up to £30 million
1999
bought by South African leisure group Cullinan Holdings, who cut manufacturing with the loss of 80 jobs.
2001
KSB’s diversify into sandals and approach footwear
2002
ex-Karrimor CEO Mike Parson co-authors, with Mary Rose, the book Invisible on Everest: Innovation and the Gear Makers
2004
went into receivership and was bought by Lonsdale Sports, who broke up the company
Karrimor now