Press release October 2011 Background information on the company
Roeckl - the company "Gloves can do more than just provide warmth - they can spark a fire," says Roeckl Managing Director Annette Roeckl. No other item of clothing makes such a powerful statement and is so complex to manufacture as a glove. In the past gloves were often regarded as symbols of power, being worn by kings, emperors, tsars and popes. Today, gloves stand for luxury and a distinctive lifestyle. They embody a love of detail and act as a styling and fashion accessory, highlighting the personal style of the wearer. Since its foundation in 1839, the family enterprise Roeckl has consistently cultivated the art of glovemaking at the highest level and is regarded internationally as being synonymous with the very finest craftsmanship: the models are assembled from as many as 24 individual parts, some requiring over 2,000 hand stitches. A Roeckl glove fits like a second skin, providing complete freedom of movement, fingertip sensitivity and optimum protection from the cold. This craft tradition began six generations ago in Munich when Jakob Roeckl opened a small craft establishment and shop in 1839. A dedicated tannery and dyeworks were added later. In 1870 his son Christian built a large factory facility for 1,000 staff at what was then the southern periphery of the city of Munich. These entrepreneurial efforts were soon to bear fruit: in 1873 Roeckl was awarded the much sought-after title "Supplier to the Royal Court of Bavaria". The most famous customers during this era include Bavaria's Kind Ludwig II and the Austrian Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria, better known by her nickname Sissi. After his father died in an accident at an early age in 1890, son Heinrich took over the company aged 24 and continued to pursue the course set by his father with great success. Dr. Heinrich Franz Roeckl took charge of business operations in 1948 and rebuilt the company after the Second World War. His son Stefan took over in 1966, representing the family's fifth generation. He revolutionized the area of sports gloves, thereby laying the foundation for world market leadership in the field of riding and cycling. He also pursued a policy of stringent diversification in new product areas: Roeckl knitwear accessories went on the market in the 1980s, and a high-quality range of foulards was added at the turn of the century. In 2003 it was the turn of the sixth generation to take over the company. Annette Roeckl is the first woman in this long family tradition to take on full responsibility for the company as managing partner, just like her ancestors before her. Her vision is to consistently combine the traditional and the modern. The result is a range of much-loved articles characterised by a perfect fit, consummate workmanship and suppleness as well as a sophisticated, timeless design. Annette Roeckl's philosophy reflects the passion behind the products: "Tradition is not about worshipping the ashes - it's about carrying forward the glowing embers." As a European market leader, the successful company seeks to maintain and extend its position on an ongoing basis. In order to do this, Annette Roeckl pursues a policy of internationalization and expansion of the product portfolio. The last addition was Roeckl's own line of bags which perfectly complements the company's product range. Roeckl is thus a driving force in the world of accessories - every day, all over the world.
Roeckl Handschuhe & Accessoires GmbH & Co. KG · Isartalstraße 49 · Am Roecklplatz · 80469 München · Germany Katharina Naehr · Tel: +49 89 72969-26 · Fax: 49 89 72969-87 · E-Mail:
[email protected] · www.roeckl.com
Roeckl still has its headquarters in Munich and employs some 300 staff in Germany and the rest of Europe. As the European market leader, Roeckl seeks to maintain and extend its position on an ongoing basis. In order to achieve this, Annette Roeckl pursues a policy of internationalization and maintains an extensive product portfolio consisting of leather gloves, silk foulards and scarves as well as knitwear accessories and the company's own line of bags. With international sales partners and 23 of its own stores and shop-in-shop spaces, the company is growing continuously, currently generating annual sales of some 24 million euros.
Roeckl Handschuhe & Accessoires GmbH & Co. KG · Isartalstraße 49 · Am Roecklplatz · 80469 München · Germany Katharina Naehr · Tel: +49 89 72969-26 · Fax: 49 89 72969-87 · E-Mail:
[email protected] · www.roeckl.com
Chronology 1839 Jacob Roeckl opens a small trade establishment in Munich, laying the foundation for the family enterprise. 1870 Christian Roeckl builds a large factory facility for 1,000 staff at what was then the southern periphery of the city of Munich, also establishing his Roeckl branch network. 1873 Roeckl is awarded the much sought-after title "Supplier to the Royal Court of Bavaria". 1890 Heinrich Roeckl pushes ahead with national and international expansion and extends the company to the USA. 1948 After the Second World War, Dr. Heinrich Franz Roeckl rebuilds the destroyed leather and glove production facilities and reestablishes the branch network 1970 Stefan Roeckl takes over the company and sets milestones with new product developments and patents 1972 The classic range is expanded with the addition of innovative sports gloves and knitwear accessories 2000 High-quality silk foulards are added to the collection 2003 Annette Roeckl is the first woman in the company's history to take over management and consolidates the company's position as market leader 2009 The company introduces its own bag collection to complete the product portfolio
Facts and figures Owner family The Roeckl family Founder Jacob Roeckl (1808-1874) Family influence Owner-managed in the family's sixth generation by Annette Roeckl as managing partner Family share in the company 100% Market position of the company European market leader
Roeckl Handschuhe & Accessoires GmbH & Co. KG · Isartalstraße 49 · Am Roecklplatz · 80469 München · Germany Katharina Naehr · Tel: +49 89 72969-26 · Fax: 49 89 72969-87 · E-Mail:
[email protected] · www.roeckl.com
Sector Leather goods and textiles Products High-quality leather gloves, leather bags and accessories Sales Worldwide through sales partners and Roeckl's own stores Location Headquarters in Munich Staff Some 300 staff worldwide (as of 2011)
Roeckl Handschuhe & Accessoires GmbH & Co. KG · Isartalstraße 49 · Am Roecklplatz · 80469 München · Germany Katharina Naehr · Tel: +49 89 72969-26 · Fax: 49 89 72969-87 · E-Mail:
[email protected] · www.roeckl.com
