Compass: Charting the Evolution of Outdoor Gear

Karrimor History

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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