POMOCA Opens New $13.5M Factory in Switzerland

November 25, 2024

Leading Ski Skin Brand Stays Close to Home Following Huge Investment

Boulder, CO (November 25, 2024) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ -The Oberalp Group, which owns SALEWA, DYNAFIT, POMOCA, WILD COUNTRY, EVOLV and LaMUNT, announced today that it has opened the new brand headquarters for POMOCA in Chavornay, Switzerland after three years of construction and a $13.5M investment in the world’s leading ski skin brand.

Founded in 1933, POMOCA is a globally recognized Swiss company specializing in the manufacture of ski touring skins and high-quality rubber soles. The Oberalp Group added POMOCA to its portfolio of mountain sports brands in 2011 and was committed to the idea that the company’s production should remain in Switzerland.

“Every brand needs a home, a place where it belongs. This applies not only to our brands Salewa in Bolzano (Italy) and Dynafit in Kiefersfelden (Germany), but also to POMOCA here in Chavornay in Switzerland,” said Heiner Oberrauch, President of the Oberalp Group. “In a unique place, the brand idea is combined with production excellence, resulting in great brand value in a single location.”

The new headquarters measures nearly 41,000 square feet and combines modernity and sustainability, with open plan offices, collaborative spaces, and amenities like a fitness center to enhance employee well-being. The new energy-efficient infrastructure includes heat pumps, dual-flow ventilation, active floor heating, and a 13,000-square-foot photovoltaic roof, promoting renewable energy use and eco-conscious operations.

In addition, optimized production lines now enable a capacity of 500,000 units annually while ensuring high-quality standards. The choice of Chavornay, near Lausanne, enables POMOCA to connect with the region’s innovation hub and benefit from collaborations with leading research institutions such as EPFL and Vaud’s higher education centers.

Back in 2021, the Oberalp Group acquired the Velotex weaving company in Wermelskirchen, Germany, to verticalize the production of POMOCA ski touring skins. This gives the Swiss brand control over a continuous supply chain, from woven yarn in Germany to finished ski touring skins in Switzerland.

“This building in this precise location is more than just a factory; it’s the new heart of POMOCA, where our passion for the mountains and Swiss expertise come together to drive innovation,” said Josep Castellet, CEO of POMOCA. “This new space enables us to meet growing demand while implementing initiatives that ensure high-quality production aligned with our values and respect for the environment.”

About The Oberalp Group

The Oberalp Group is a family-owned business based in Bolzano, Italy, that employs almost 700 people worldwide. Oberalp’s North American subsidiary, based in Boulder, CO, runs the sales, operations, marketing, distribution, and service for the Group’s brands in the US and Canada.

About POMOCA

Founded in 1933, POMOCA is a globally recognized Swiss company specializing in the manufacture of ski touring skins and high-quality rubber soles. With a Swiss heritage rooted in innovation, POMOCA revolutionized the industry in 1985 with the introduction of EverDry waterproof treatment, followed by the invention of the Safer Skin membrane in 2004, setting new standards in performance and safety for ski skins. Since joining the family-owned Oberalp Group in 2011, POMOCA has become the preferred partner for 20 internationally renowned ski manufacturers, providing high-performance skins integrated into the skis of many top brands. POMOCA’s products, including the iconic RACE, RACE PRO, and RACE PRO 2.0 models, have contributed to winning 60% of international medals and 8 of the last 10 world championships, making them the choice of athletes and mountain enthusiasts worldwide.

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