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How new developments, design and materials can

improve athlete’s performance

Swix Sport AS

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History

• 1943 Martin Matsbo starts experimenting with ski wax for AB Astra in collaboration with the company’s chemists

• 1946 Swix launches red, blue and green grip waxes and blue and red klister. • 1948 All Olympic gold medal winners in cross country use Swix wax• 1974 Astra purchases Liljedahl ski pole factory in Lillehammer• 1990 Swix collaborates with the textile manufacturer Norheim • 1996 Sale of brand names Norheim, Sondre and Frank Shorter• 2004 Purchase of Elite Sport AS with brands Ulvang, Bavac and XL-1• 2006 Swix Sport AS posts record sales of ski wax and accessories.

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Wax

• Swix has been making ski wax and accessories since 1946. • The colour coding of waxes with Red for warm, Green for cold and Blue for

“normal” winter conditions was invented by Swix and set the industry standard that is still used today.

• Swix products were involved in more than 9 out of 10 medals won in the World Championships in Bormio, in Hochfilzen and Oberstdorf in 2005 – say no more!

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Poles

• Swix is world leading in the cross country and alpine market for high end composite pole.

• Swix is selling approximately one million poles a year for alpine, cross-country and exercise walking.

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Textiles: Ulvang, Bavac and Swix

• Ulvang is functional sportswear in wool for the active user who loves the outdoor life.

• Bavac is functional, technical sportswear developed to maximize the performers potential.

• Swix is technical cross country apparel with high levels of functionality for athletes of all intensities.

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Vision

To make the best garments with a perfect comfort zone for cross country enthusiasts through development, design and by

understanding the user’s needs.

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How should we achieve our vision?

• Through understanding the user

• Finding the best materials for a specific conditions and activity levels

• By using a design that is functional, and at the same time commercial

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Extreme sport

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Extreme sport

The active user: The “active” user group contains active cross country runners like the participants on the national teams, participants on sponsored teams and people that are active and participate in cross country competitions like Birkebeinerrennet, Marcialonga and Vasaloppet

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Extreme sport

The sporty user:The user group that we have named “sport”contains people that likes to go cross country, on Sundays, with their families, as a way to get out and exercise or having fun.

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Individuality

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Exposed body parts

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How to dress

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Researching the users needs

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Co-operation with SINTEF

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Finding the right textiles

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Design

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Summary