64 years a specialist for sports gloves and clothing
For over half a century Upper Bavarian company Ziener, located in Oberammergau, has been manufacturing gloves. What began as handmade street gloves are today technically innovative skiing and cycling gloves. For some years now ski clothing and, in summer, cycling clothing have also been important revenue streams for Ziener. The company is headed by third generation family member Franz Ziener.
1946
Master glove maker Franz Ziener Senior and his family move from the Erzgebirge mountain region in eastern Germany to Oberammergau, where Franz sets up a glove making workshop. Ziener and his three employees make high quality glacé kid gloves.
1952
The first skiing gloves are made at the suggestion of Mirl Buchner, a well-known female skier from Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
1954 – 1984
Ziener is the German National Ski Team’s glove supplier.
1970
Franz’ son, Ernst Ziener, and his sister Gerda take over the running of the company.
1970
Ziener manufactures in Hungary, Yugoslavia and the Far East. The development, design and cutting of the collection are still based in Obergammerau today.
1980
Franz Ziener Junior becomes the third generation of the family to work in the company.
1984 - 1990
Ziener is an extremely successful manufacturer of kitesurfing harnesses and surf accessories. Production is discontinued following the collapse of the market in this segment.
1992
Ziener winter gloves are supplemented for the first time by ski and snowboard clothing, launched onto the market under the Ziener label.
2002
Ziener is glove supplier to the coaching team of the German Ski Teachers’ Association (DSLV) and to the German Ski Association (DSV) and, last but not least, one of Europe’s major winter glove manufacturers. Ziener presents a bike collection for the first time, which sells well even in its first year.
2006/2007
Ziener and the Bavarian Ski Association (BSV) decide to work together. The functional specialist becomes the BSV’s glove and clothing supplier, focusing its involvement on supporting up-and-coming young skiers in particular.
2007/2008
Ziener becomes the official glove supplier for the athletes in the Nordic skiing division of the Austrian Ski Association (ÖSV). From the winter season onwards ski jumpers, Nordic combined skiers, cross-country skiers and biathletes compete in tournaments wearing custom-made gloves from Oberammergau.
Another new addition is the Swiss National Freestyle Team, including Olympic champion Evelyne Leu.
The German Ski Association (DSV) freestyle and ski-cross team also wears Ziener clothing and gloves.
Other teams on the Upper Bavarian winter sports specialist’s supplier list continue to include the Bulgarian Ski Association; the Czech ski jumping team; Interski Deutschland’s demonstration team; the DSLV and numerous regional associations and ski schools.
2010
Ziener becomes the official glove supplier for the German Alpine, Nordic Combination and Ski Jumping national teams.
