Numerous innovations and award-winning developments confirm that TYROLIA offers perfect performance and easiest handling at all levels, enabling skiers to overcome boundaries and to access all areas.
It all started in 1847 when Wiener Metallwaren-, Schnallen- und Maschinenfabrik GmbH was established in Schwechat, Austria.
In 1928 the factory produced its first ski binding, a true milestone of development. The introduction of the first branded ski binding in 1949 marked the beginning of the TYROLIA success story.
In 1954 the company was able to introduce the world’s first safety fore-clamp binding, the Ski Master, and started producing ski bindings on an industrial scale. The following years brought technological progress as well as enormous commercial success.
In 1969 TYROLIA launched the world’s first ski binding featuring an automatic heel unit, the TYROLIA Rocket. The Diagonal Heel releasing directly into the direction of the fall and the FreeFlex System are other technical advances that have proven crucial for the development of modern ski bindings.
“The FreeFlex System allows the ski to flex as it is designed to do without impairing its natural dynamics,” explains Robert Stanzl, Marketing and Sales Director since 1998 and member of the team since 1977. “The system is one of TYROLIA’s proprietary developments that have made skiing a lot safer.”
Further trendsetting achievements followed, including the ABS Anti Blocking System, releasing the boot almost without fraction, the RailFlex System for easy mounting and the first carbon binding.
In 2001 TYROLIA became the first brand in the binding industry to be certified to ISO 9001, a distinction that confirmed its commitment to the highest standards of quality and safety.
The year 2013 saw the company’s entry into the freeride segment. “The idea of the new AAA-Series is to provide complete freedom and access to all areas, so it stands for AAAttack, AAAmbition, and AAAdrenalin,” points out Mr. Stanzl. “The fact that all models have been granted distinctions has contributed to our international renown, just like the many cups and medals won at major sports events. In a generally declining market, we have experienced far above-average growth and continuous positive development.”
Indeed, HTM Sport is well established in business with a global market share of more than 30% and ranks as the undisputed leader in the Alpine World Cup segment. The company employs 200 people in Austria plus another 190 in the Czech Republic.
Exports account for up to 90% of its more than 40 million EUR turnover, supported by ten subsidiaries, 32 distributors and 12,000 outlets worldwide, especially in the Alpine countries, North America, Japan and Scandinavia.
TYROLIA’s product range is based on its trendsetting developments and provides the right binding for every requirement. Categories such as Racing, AAA-Series, PowerRail, LiteRail, LiteDiagonal, SuperLite and Junior guarantee dealers, ski manufacturers and consumers high-tech products with unique safety features.
“We have been active in the OEM business since 2002 and have become the preferred partner of renowned manufacturers since,” adds the Marketing and Sales Director. “The rental segment is another market where TYROLIA excels with easily adaptable bindings as well as demonstration models that can be hired for comtrial.”
Needless to say, there is no standstill of development with the innovative Austrian specialists. The new FreeFlex EVO developed for the World Cup will be launched shortly, and the new AAAmbition carbon binding will be available in winter 2015/16.
HTM Sport attends major trade fairs in all parts of the world in cooperation with HEAD, its parent group, and benefits from synergistic effects both in the development and marketing sectors. Dedicated to functionality, safety and innovation, TYROLIA will continue to overcome boundaries and leave its mark on the skiing world.