From wooden skis to high-tech: 100 years of ski history

It was April 18, 1924, when Josef Fischer rented an apartment and an adjacent wooden hut on Ufergasse in Ried. Three months later, on July 18, 1924, Josef Fischer registered the business of “wagnery and wood products production” – this was the beginning of the success story of the Fischer ski factory. 100 years later, the milestones of the globally successful sports company can be seen in an exhibition in Rieder’s Weberzeile. At the opening last Tuesday, the company’s CEO, Franz Föttinger, as well as representative Fischer athletes such as Daniel Hemetsberger (alpine skiing, downhill), Jacqueline Seifriedsberger (ski jumping) and Andi Goldberger (ski jumping legend) gave insight into current and past moments of Fischer Sports.

“Proud of this milestone”

“The hundredth is an epoch-making event for the company. We are very proud to reach this significant milestone in our company’s history. This anniversary is also an important sign of stability,” said Franz Föttinger.
In addition to the main plant in Ried, Fischer also operates another plant in Mukachevo in the Ukraine. “The Fischer family, the owners, have decided that the Ried location should be secured in the long term,” said Franz Föttinger, who at the same time criticized the high costs for Austria as a business location. “The synergies between Mukachevo and Ried are therefore very important,” emphasized Föttinger. In a video interview, Franz Föttinger explains where the journey will go from a technical point of view.

Goldi as a bracket fan

Ski jumping legend Andreas Goldberger described his special relationship with the Rieder ski company: “As an Innviertler, that makes you proud when you have a company like that practically in your neighborhood.” His special relationship with Fischer was largely shaped by an athlete like the native Waldzeller said: “Franz Klemm – he was my big idol in my childhood!” When asked about her childhood idol, the two-time World Cup winner in ski jumping, Jacqueline Seifriedsberger from Schildorn, said: “My idol is standing next to me. Without Andi, I wouldn’t be here today.” “Jaci” said his goal for this year’s World Cup season: “I hope that I can crack the 200 in ski flying and be at the top of the World Cup again.”

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