Kästle, the Austrian ski company, is moving its head office from Salzburg to Hohenems, where it was already established before its acquisition by Rudolf Knünz in 2007. This comes after Knünz bought a majority stake in Differences, a company in Hohenems specializing in the production of small series of skis. Its facilities comprise a production plant with a capacity of up to 2,000 pairs, which is currently used to manufacture composite parts as well.
Differences was previously owned by Rainer Nachbauer, development manager at Kästle, who still has 25 percent of the company. Another 55 percent is held by Rudolf Knünz and the remaining 20 percent by Bernd Knünz, a relative, who became Kästle's chief executive last year. Rudolf Knünz controls Kästle through his majority stake in a holding company that has 85 percent in the ski group.
Kästle and Differences will be run separately but the two companies will take advantage of each other's resources, such as the product development and special production resources of Differences, and the marketing and distribution apparatus of Kästle.
After its acquisition by Knünz eight years ago, Kästle set up offices in Wels and assigned ski production to Head in Kennelbach. About three years ago it moved the offices closer to Salzburg.
As part of the latest changes, the brand's product development, administration, marketing and management are to be based in Hohenems, while the logistics will continue to be located in Wels. The production of Kästle skis will remain with Head, apart from special editions and hand-crafted products.
Kästle sold about 18,000 pairs in its latest full fiscal year, with the U.S. and Austria as its largest markets. It estimates the average retail price at about €900 per pair with bindings.
