Franz Völkl, former chief executive of the famous ski brand and inventor of carbon technology for skis, passed away at the age of 87. The Völkl company, one of the pioneers of modern skis, was founded by Franz Völkl's grandfather in 1895. He assumed the management in 1952, succeeding his father, Franz Völkl senior, and building up the company to be one of the biggest ski manufacturers worldwide. In the middle of the ‘90s, Völkl experienced financial difficulties due to a series of poor winters, like many of its competitors. In 1992, Franz Völkl decided to sell the brand to its Swiss distribution partner, Gregor Furrer, who subsequently sold the brand and the factory to K2. Today, the brands Völkl, K2, Marker, Coleman, Marmot Mountain and others belong to Jarden Corporation.

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