Elan celebrates 75 years

Elan is a world-renowned manufacturer and supplier of ski products, yachts, sports equipment and technologically-advanced composites. The company was founded in 1945 and has a long and glorious history. Today, the company employs almost 700 people. It is one of the world’s most innovative sports brands in the world and one of the best known and globally established among all Slovenian brands. Elan products are used in more than 600 countries worldwide.

Elan group is celebrating its 75th anniversay, with the fondness of its heritage and a vison of innovating for the future, under the slogan, »Always Good Times«.

"WE BELIEVE EVERYONE IS A GREAT SKIER"

At today's press conference in the Elan Alpine Ski Museum, Leon Korošec, Director of the Winter Department and Vice-President of the Elan Group, emphasized that skiing as a discipline has changed a lot over time.

"New disciplines are being developed, but the common thread remains the same; the unique experience between the mountains, the sun and the snow. This is where beautiful memories are born with family and friends. These feelings inspire our brand’s innovation and development. We sincerely believe that everyone can become a good skier."

This is the reason for Elan's constant efforts to create new innovative products.

"INNOVATION IS IN OUR CORE"

Elan was the only company in the world to produce the first ever functional folding skis, the Ibex Tactix. Additionally, 26 years ago, Elan introduced Amphibio technology, the first functional asymmetrical right and left ski profile technology. The brand also invented carving skis, the biggest innovation to the ski industry in recent decades. Today, virtually everyone who skis uses some type of Elan invention to enjoy the sport of skiing.

Elan has received more than 300 international awards for its innovative products and other achievements.

"WE HANDCRAFT OUR PRODUCTS IN THE HEART OF THE ALPS!"

The entire company is located in Begunje in the Gorenjska region of Slovenia. As Korošec said, "The best thing is to have everything in your backyard." At Elan, we are aware of the necessity to be agile, fast and adapt quickly to changes. Korošec highlighted the two main pillars of the company; the first is the brand, which is based on persuasiveness, quality and trust, and the second is the employees. "Machines, buildings... all ages with time, it can be replaced, but Elan was built by generations of our ancestors, and their ancestors, and today we build it for future generations. That is why today's ceremony is also a tribute to our employees.”

"AMBASSADORS OF THE BRAND ARE REAL SKIERS AND PART OF THE ELAN FAMILY"

Bojan Križaj, a legend of Slovenian skiing and also a member of Elan's family, also attended the press conference. He emphasized his personal pride in being part of Elan's history, as an ambassador, alongside the best skier of all time, Ingemar Stenmark. Both have helped develop new products and build brand awareness at home and abroad. "I would like to thank all the people who have contributed to the development of skiing with their technical support and knowledge. Such innovations are absolutely necessary to achieve top results in ski races.”

"THE STORY CONTINUES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME"

Filip Flisar, the current representative in cross-country skiing, who, as he says, loves to write good stories, has built his entire career in collaboration with Elan. "Elan is an open-minded company that is always ready to listen, even if the ideas are a bit crazy. Phenomenal results were born on Elan's skis and prestigious medals were won on the world winter sports’ stage.”

Elan's Nautical Division, Composites Division and Elan Inventa- one of the world's leading suppliers of sports equipment, products and services-are also proud of the company's history.

For the coming season, they believe that skiing will change beyond the notion that it is a traditional winter activity and become an important part of outdoor recreation. Today, experts keep reminding us how important outdoor exercise is, and this is where skiing will be able to play a very important role. "From professionals to children, we have them in mind when developing products for faster learning. That is why we are calling on local communities to consider revitalizing smaller ski resorts that could make skiing much more accessible to everyone."