75 Years of LEKI and the tale of the trekking pole.
75 YEARS OF LEKI AND THE TALE OF THE TREKKING POLE
KIRCHHEIM UNTER TECK Germany
KARL FOUNDED THE KARL LENHART WOOD TURNING COMPANY IN 1948
1948 LEKI IS BORN
Karl Lenhart was born in the tiny village of Konradsgrün in what is today the Western part of the Czech Republic. Like many Sudeten Germans, Karl Lenhart and his family where refugees from Czech Bohemia after World War II. They left their home with nothing and needed to start from scratch. Karl settled in the small village of Kirchheim unter Teck at the foot of the Swabian Alb. A long hilly ridge with a steep 500m climb – not quite a mountain, but enough for skiing. The educated aircraft manufacturer spent his first night in a glider hangar in Dettingen near Kirchheim. He was quick to make
friends among the pilots helping him to arrive at his new home. Karl had little to start from, but he was a relent- less craftsman and innovator, starting his business for wood-carved company signs in 1948 using his skills as an aircraft builder familiar with precise machinery. The first machine was set up in the barn behind the house of his parents in law. In 1947 he had married Gertrud Frosch, who gave birth to their children Rainer, Siegrid and Klaus. The young man started as a stranger but soon would make a name for himself and the town of Kirchheim.
He had faced seemingly impossible odds and emerged victorious, and his achievement was celebrated world- wide. It was a climb that solidified his reputation as one of the greatest mountaineers of all time, and it remains an inspiration to climbers today. Pictures showing Herman Buhl returning to the camp prove that he used bamboo poles. Technically, this was before the term “trekking pole” was even born. Presumably, these poles were manufactured for downhill skiing. Mountaineers commonly used bamboo poles as a tool for balance and support during climbs. They were lighter than wood, strong, and relatively inexpensive, making them an attractive option for climbers. They were also easily available in many parts of the world, which made them a popular choice for climbers in developing countries. Most grips and straps at that time were constructed from leather. The baskets were huge by modern standards combining a metal ring with leather straps. This was prior to mass production, and each pole was hand-crafted. Back in the day, the trekking pole might just have been a lofty idea in the mind of Karl Lenhart.
Hermann Buhl, an Austrian mountaineer, set out in the summer of 1953 to attempt to summit Nanga Parbat, the ninth-highest mountain in the world. The mountain had never been climbed and was considered one of the most difficult and dangerous peaks in the Himalayas. Buhl was part of a team of climbers, but as they made their way up the mountain, they were plagued by bad weather and challenging conditions. Despite the challenges, Buhl pushed on and reached an altitude of 7.200 meters, where he decided to continue alone. Buhl knew that the summit was still far away and the weather was getting worse, but he was determined to reach the top and started his attempt at 2:30 in the morning on July 3. Finally, around 7 pm, Buhl reached the summit of Nanga Parbat. He was exhausted and alone, but he had reached the top of one of the most difficult mountains in the world. Buhl’s climb was a remarkable feat of endurance and determination.
1953 THE BAMBOO ERA
NANGA PARBAT 8.126m
HERMANN BUHL * 21.09.1924 Innsbruck † 27.06.1957 Chogolisa
1963 PASSION FOR THE OUTDOORS
In winter, Karl spent his time on the slopes of the Swabian Alb as a passionate skier, and in the summer months, he went to the Tyrolian Alps. He was friends with a mountain guide from Reutte who helped him explore remote peaks and challenging routes. Back in those days, Karl became frustrated when he would lose the big leather baskets as the leather cords wore out quickly and fell off the shaft. With his machinery, he was able to design and construct the first tip and basket system made from directly injected plastic. The LEKI fix was born. The idea of screwing your basket on a thread remains in use today. Karl didn’t stop there. In the 60s, he developed and sold both grips and straps. It’s a fun fact that LEKI started off as a spare part company. With his experience in aircraft construction, Karl pushed the envelope even further. In his mind, aluminum was the perfect material for a pole shaft – light and durable.
KARL LENHART WITH AUSTRIAN MOUNTAIN GUIDES AND FRIENDS
By 1963 Karl produced and sold the first aluminum poles made from highly durable 7075 alloys under the brand “Duraluminum.” Nevertheless, it wasn’t until 1970 that the brand LEKI was created. The once- refugee was a successful entrepreneur embracing his new home, and the name of his brand is proof. LEKI was a combination of Lenhart and Kirchheim. Nevertheless, his love for the mountains moved him to Ramsen in Switzerland in the late 70s. It was his lifetime dream to live at the edge of the Swiss Alps.
1963 THE IDEA OF A TREKKING POLE
At the same time, Peter Habeler was a young, ambi- tious mountaineer in the Alps of Zillertal, Austria. This generation of mountaineers was looking for the final frontier of high-altitude climbing – reaching 8000m peaks without oxygen. His idols were Austrian climbing legends Hermann Buhl and Mathias Rebitsch. Both used skiing poles for their climbs and greatly influenced the younger generation. The pole was part of the essential gear for leading mountaineers in the Alps even back in the 50s and by no means a modern innovation. It was natural for Peter to follow in their footsteps. "I attribute my healthy and strong knees to the fact that I used poles early in my life," Peter says today. "Poles were always part of my life as a mountaineer" Peter Habeler remem- bers that hikers and tourists in the Alps laughed at the young mountaineer when they saw him walking with poles. "You forgot your skis." It was likely a joke invented in that era and repeated many thousand times across the globe in the years to come. That laughter did not distract Peter and other climbers from the poles' benefit, making it an integral part of their mountaineering gear. When Peter first met Reinhold Messner, he noticed that the South Tyrolian had developed the same taste for poles.
1974 FIRST MAKALU
PETER HABELER
The expansion bolts Karl and Klaus Lenhart invented ushered in a new era, and the iconic LEKI Makalu was born in 1974.
KARL LENHART TESTING THE FIRST MAKALU
The achievement was seen as a significant breakthrough in the mountaineering world and was a testament to the strength and skill of the two climbers. They climbed 8.848 meters in a time of 48 hours. It was a climb that will forever be remembered in the annals of mountain- eering history as a true testament to human endurance and determination. Both used poles made from alu- minum for ascent and descent. The most remarkable innovation was the telescopic performance allowing poles to be more compact and stowed away, which is an absolutely critical feature for technical climbs. The expansion bolts Karl and Klaus Lenhart invented ushered in a new era, and the iconic LEKI Makalu was born in 1974. The world's first three-section poles with its ultra- durable anodized golden shaft is still recognized to this day. With continuous improvements, the product stayed in the line until 2001. Even today, the name is given to LEKI's finest high-end trekking series - 45 years of excellence.
The most critical part of Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler's ascent started in the early morning of May 8, 1978. After the storm on the South Col on 7.900m had settled, they crawled out of their tent with the first light while the wind was still strong and cloud banks stood above the Nuptse flank. Habeler was not sure if a climb would be possible that day, but Reinhold pushed him to overcome any doubts, and both pushed on to conquer 950m of climbing inside the "death zone." The two men were exhausted but elated as they reached the summit on May 8 at 1 pm. They had made history, becoming the first climbers to reach the top of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen.
1978 LEKI POLES AT THE EVEREST
REINHOLD MESSNER AND PETER HABELER
MOUNT EVEREST the highest mountain in the world — 8.849m
1984 THE PRODUCT GENIUS
From 1970 until 1984 the three Lenhart children managed the company with equal rights while Karl built up a new factory in Ramsen, Switzerland. In 1984 Klaus became the sole general manager of LEKI in Kirchheim and shaped the foundation of the modern LEKI that we know today. Visionary, bold, and passionately dri- ven by the product, Klaus Lenhart was in many ways like his father. Even in his early twenties he had his eyes on the product from day one. He was the genius behind the product, and 250 patents can be traced back to his ideas. His obsession with the product was legendary - literally day and night. He sketched new grips on napkins while
having dinner in a restaurant or playing with an egg and a banana to create the iconic Aergon. Fueled by constant innovation, LEKI was a strong and leading brand by the end of the 90s, creating the new trekking pole market. At this time, Klaus started to ponder his professional life‘s most significant and most visionary move. After several attempts to build a factory in Germany which have fai- led due to building permits and other circumstances he searched for alternatives.
At the place of his ancestors, Klaus Lenhart built the biggest pole
CONSTRUCTION YEAR: 2000 TOTAL AREA: 46.000m2
More and more companies moved their manufacturing to suppliers in the Far East. But this was not his way. Mainly, he wanted to keep his hands on the product and control it to its finest detail. He decided to return to the place of his ancestors – Czech Republic. End of 1998 in Tachov, Klaus, Gerald Kinbacher and Eberhard Heim designed and built the biggest pole factory in the world at that time. He had the vision of the most modern factory for poles in the heart of Europe, and his legacy still endures today. Novasport still is the backbone of LEKI‘s success – 100% run by people from the area as management and staff. Local production allows LEKI to control its quality and generates flexibility and resilience in a challenging global market. Klaus was a unique combination of a product genius and a visionary entrepreneur at the same time. His spirit is still fueling the LEKI of today.
factory in the world.
Klaus was a unique combination of a product genius and a visionary entrepreneur at the same time.
2012 WALTRAUD
LENHART TAKES RESPONSIBILITY April 30th, 2012, marked a dark day in the company's history. The loss of Klaus in a tragic plane accident shocked his family, the company, and its many partners. The company was shaken and in utter despair, and many suspected that without Klaus, the company would have no future. Nobody could deny that the company, and its foundation was built around its strong leader. In this moment of uncertainty, Waltraud Lenhart stood up and took the company's helm, a role she had never asked for. Waltraud married Klaus in 1982; since then, she was the strong woman behind her husband. At LEKI, she looked after financials and administration – always in the back and never in a public role. There were people inside and outside the company having doubts about the future. She overcame all of them and built a specta- cular legacy. Under her reign, LEKI experienced the most intense period of growth in its history. Her formula of success was dif- ferent compared to her predecessors. She was not the center- piece of the new LEKI. She was the coach on the sideline and protector of LEKIs values. She allowed young leaders to grow and brought in new people. Step by step, she forged a strong and competent team. In silence, she prepared LEKI according to her own vision. It was obvious to her that LEKI needed to be independent and resilient and not depend on one person, especially not herself. In that regard, she was a visionary and genius in her own right. Waltraud passed away unexpectedly on 17 April 2021 after a short, serious illness. She was thus denied the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of her labor.
Life doesn't stand still, life doesn't wait until you're ready. It´s your turn to take it into your own hands.
WALTRAUD LENHART
SWABIAN ALB 1.015m
MONT BLANC - 4.807,81m Highest mountain in europe
FRANÇOIS D‘HAENE UTMB champion 2012, 2014, 2017, 2021
2021 HIGHER FASTER FURTHER
In the 2010s and 2020s, LEKI kept innovating at an unprecedented pace. At the same time, the underlying technologies and materials were close to being maxed out. There are limits to the concept of higher, faster, and further – if we like it or not. LEKI’s 2023 Alphatrail FX.One Superlite might be the most extreme successor of what once was called a “trekking pole”. It’s a high-point proof of what LEKI can forge in terms of performance and weight. The question comes of what might be next for a brand so entangled in the world of racing. While testing new products François gives a hint for what might matter in the future: “I would love to see more natural materials in this kind of trail running pole. Like more sustainability even in a trail running product.” This is a remarkable statement for somebody obsessed with performance and details. This change of paradigms would set the stage for LEKIs future developments.
When François D’Haene crossed the finish line on August 29, 2021, in Chamonix, he was the first man to win the legendary UTMB four times. His customized LEKI poles were the lightest ever built, weighing in at little more than 120g, compared to 275g of the first Makalu from 1974. François’s pole was a masterpiece made from carbon, aramid, and high-precision parts. The trekking pole had fully evolved into poles designed for the extreme sport of trail running with its specific demands.
2022 CLIMBING IS THE NEW EVEREST
For 28 years, Eberhard Heim has been in charge of engineering and development at LEKI, and was part of every major innovation that shaped the modern LEKI. In 2022 he stood in the middle of a hemp field at the top of the Swabian Alb. It was late summer, and the 2,50m tall hemp stems swayed in the wind, ready to be harvested for one of LEKIs most ambitious projects. Hemp offers enormous advantages over other alternatives for natural fiber reinforced materials, as it is a natural fiber with excellent strength values. For this reason, the hemp for a new product is grown only about six kilometers away from the LEKI headquarters at a farm in the Swabian Alb. Since the area already has a long tradition of hemp cultivation, it was a natural decision to grow locally. From sowing to harvesting, processing of hemp fibers, shaping to further processing and final assembly in Tachov. To build the Hemp One Vario, the world‘s first trekking pole made from hemp. The shaft is constructed of a biobased composite, the LEKI Hemp Tec. The grip is a CorTec technology made of LEKI- proven grip material with a natural cork share of 27%. The grip core also consists of a quarter of hemp fiber. It is complemented by a natural linen strap made in Germany. The basket is also made from a quarter of hemp. A pole made of hemp should only be the
ASSEMBLY
PROCESSING
SHAPING
beginning and a step in the right direction. Also, in the future, we want to make our contribution to a sustainable world with sustainable products. We live and love what we do and want to do it with all of you for a long time. Our piece of a tailwind for a shared sustainable future. The LEKI vision is still the best pole and glove in the world for everyone - but the parameters may have changed. For some people, the best may be the pole that strikes the best balance between performance and sustainability.
SOWING
HARVEST
2023 PAST PRESENT FUTURE
AROUND TEN REPAIRED POLES PER DAY
Sibylle has been working at LEKI for over 25 years and has a long history and expertise in repairing poles. “I get the most pleasure from making custo- mers happy again by repairing even very old models. Some of our customers are very attached to their poles. For many people, it is a memento of a person or a particularly beautiful moment.” Even the first trekking pole, the Makalu, is still repaired by Sibylle from time to time. “The first Makalu is from 1974, and even today, after more than 40 years, we still get requests to repair it.” Probably a couple of 1000s of Makalus from the early years models are still in the mountains of this world, supporting their owners on their ad- ventures. We are very proud to see that we have created such a long-lasting product that people still enjoy today. Giving a second life to one of the rare original Makalus fills us with pride and dedication.
2023 LEKI OF TODAY
The simple answer is this: It´s a place where good people meet and, by sharing their ideas, create some- thing bigger than themselves. The new LEKI has a youth- ful feel, especially when exciting new concepts are playfully pitched being around – as seen in the hemp project. At the same time, there is a certain sincerity to LEKI as we execute with laser focus as soon as we have set course – like pushing out constant innovation on a reliable basis. As an innovative company, we like to dream, but as an industry leader, we also pride ourselves on delivering. Today, there is no concrete plan of where the company should be ten years from now as it will adapt to the industry’s ever-changing face. We don’t harbor any fancy business plan and have no grandiose idea to start making bicycles. Certainly, we want to continue focusing on making the world’s best poles and gloves, but we will continue to base our decision on deep core values. We will continue to create excellence through team collaboration while maintaining individual ownership. LEKI is and will continue to be stronger and more resilient than any individual. We are excited to continue this journey together with every single one of you.
“We are standing on the shoulder of giants” was a common quote by Waltraud when referring to the rich past of LEKI. This family history now extends into the third generation. What Karl Lenhart started and Klaus Lenhart took to new heights is now being led into the future by Friederike and Markus Lenhart. The next Lenhart generation allows the company to continue to author its story as shareholders. New co-CEOs Martin Rominger and Matthias Hatt helped LEKI weather the storm of the COVID years, compounded by the loss of Waltraud. In 2022, the team guided LEKI to the most successful year in company history. So what defines the LEKI of today?
from right to left MARTIN ROMINGER MATTHIAS HATT FRIEDERIKE LENHART MICHAEL BRECHTELSBAUER
FOUNDING OF THE COMPANY
350 EMPLOYEES
HEADQUARTER: KIRCHHEIM UNTER TECK
46.000 m 2 TOTAL AREA TACHOV
120g
DER ERSTE MAKALU
LIGHTEST TRAIL RUNNING POLE LEKI EVER BUILD
PATENTS 250
THE HISTORY OF LEKI
1948 LEKI IS BORN
1958 THE BAMBOO ERA
1963 THE IDEA OF A TREKKING POLE 1978 LEKI POLES AT THE EVEREST
1963 PASSION FOR THE OUTDOORS
1984 THE PRODUCT GENIUS
2012 WALTRAUD
LENHART TAKES RESPONSIBILITY
2021 HIGHER, FASTER, FURTHER
2022 CLIMBING IS THE NEW EVEREST
2023 PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE
2023 LEKI OF TODAY
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