LOWA News 2016

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NINE OF FOURTEEN

“LOWA is well prepared for the coming season!”

Werner Riethmann is firmly convinced of this. In his editorial, the LOWA CEO describes what he finds particularly valuable about this.

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LOWA PRO Team member Alix von Melle is the most successful woman high-altitude alpinist in Germany today. She has already been on nine of the 14 eight-thousanders.

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“MADE IN EUROPE”

CREATIVE DESIGN MEETS MODERN CRAFTSMANSHIP

Christian Ludy, manager of technology and purchasing, details why this guiding principle at LOWA isn’t just about manufacturing: “You can only achieve quality in a final product when all of the components are excellent.”

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Development director Alex Nicolai in an interview talks about the work of the LOWA design team, the special challenges of what he does, and the new product innovations in the kids’ footwear range.

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SUMMIT MEETING OF THE PROS

HIS PHOTOS TELL STORIES OF ADVENTURE

TIMELESS AND BEAUTIFUL FOR LONG WINTER DAYS

The athletes on the LOWA PRO Team met together with the LOWA development team in late 2015.

The goal of the roundtable meeting was continued improvement of the product range.

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The exceptional Swiss mountaineer Thomas Ulrich counts among the most well known outdoor photographers today. As an avowed LOWA fan, he particularly likes to work with the heritage brand.

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Femininity is the new function! And that goes with the stylish combination of a classic retro look and innovative detailing. Simple, clean and clear sums up the design of the lightweight winter boots with a vintage look. The VALLOIRE GTX® MID Ws however is still a step ahead of its time.

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FURTHER REDUCING OUR DEPENDENCE ON WINTER Your LOWA NEWS is here. An unmistakable sign that it is trade fair time again and, with that, the start of the order-writing season. An opportunity for you as a retailer to think hard about past and current business trends and to ponder decisions made.

With this foundation, you can then plan your future business direction, weigh out risks, set goals and then place orders based on that. At LOWA, we want to support you in coming business successes as a reliable and predictable partner. To achieve that, we are again offering premium products with the best quality and perfect fit for Autumn_Winter 2016_17. Our development, design and production teams have been working very hard.

Indeed, it is much more than good products that are the basis of being a strong and predictable partner. Our firm concept of 100% Made in Europe is a vital building block. With it, we can ensure the highest quality of our products and can react quickly to changing market conditions. We can also have on-going control over manufacturing.

And yet another advantage right now is independence from currency fluctuations. The cheap Euro compared to the U.S. dollar isn’t creating a problem for us. With “Made in Europe”, we also have planning certainty when it comes to prices, which results in more predictable stability. Too, the topic of sustainability, which is playing an increasingly larger role among consumers, is tightly linked to “Made in Europe”. Fair working conditions, high environmental standards and shorter transport distances.

We have in fact hired an expert (see page 12) who will exclusively oversee the area of sustainability at LOWA. That means you will also feel more secure that you have a serious partner in LOWA who is taking this topic earnestly and won’t leave you out in the cold.

I believe this is good news after for example the news of leather production in India was strongly criticised by the public. Our skins and leather come 100% from Europe.

In this edition, we will give you a first glimpse at our products for Autumn_Winter 2016_17. You will see that that the focus is further expansion of our all-weather winter footwear, i.e., Cold Weather Boots. We are boosting our development of urban footwear.

Footwear that can perform on city streets in any weather, whether a cool autumn day, mucky wintry weather, or when snow is crunching underfoot. Our wish is to reduce the dependence on winter, on snow and on biting cold with these trendy, attractive and still very functional pieces. We are looking to make business just a tad more predictable with this.

Besides multifunction, retro is currently also a big topic. Brilliant, of course, that LOWA has a history that goes back more than 90 years! We can tell believable stories and then put them into action in products that also embrace the spirit of the times. Our Retro Line for the coming spring season, which was received with great interest, is being continued appropriately for Autumn_Winter 2016_17. Once again, real head-turners.

We offer support for our speciality retail partners not only with good, sustainable products and comprehensive marketing, but also directly on-site on the floor. To that end, we are launching the next generation of our well-proven Footscanner and are bundling that with corresponding event packages. With that in mind, I’d also like to make you aware of further innovations that we are covering in this LOWA NEWS: The 360° LOWA App developed by our Swiss subsidiary. It opens the door to more possibilities for brick-and-mortar speciality retail – possibilities that otherwise are only available on the Internet. A truly pioneering development that serves to strengthen traditional retail. Not for naught that this App has already won two important awards.

You see that LOWA is well prepared for the new order-writing season.

Related details and background information can be found in this edition of LOWA NEWS. I’d also like to heartily invite you to come by and see us at one of many trade fairs or order shows where we’ll be waiting for you.

With my best wishes for good business and great success.

Yours, Werner Riethmann

Dedication of »LOWA School« in Nepal Funded significantly by donations from LOWA, the newly constructed »Shree Namuna Janasewa Lower Secondary School« in the Sindhupalchok District in Nepal had its official grand opening dedication on 6 November 2015. LOWA supported this project from Nepalhilfe Beilngries with EUR 75,000. Plus, Germany sales director Matthias Wanner and Key Accounts Manager Markus Strefling used their vacation to be there for the celebration.

The school is in the village of Falate, which has approximately 1,000 residents. Falate is in one of the regions hardest hit by the catastrophic earthquakes last April and May. Construction lasted approximately one and a half years. To honour LOWA as its primary sponsor, the school was named »LOWA School« by the Nepalhilfe Beilngries and others responsible in Nepal. Agni Prasad Sapkota, Nepal’s Minister of Forestry, was on hand for the transfer of the school to Nepal. Close to 200 boys and girls will take classes in the future at the »LOWA School«. As a landmark, a metal plaque will be placed on the wall with a quote from LOWA CEO Werner Riethmann: “We are responsible for what we do. Also, however, for what we do not do. That’s why we at LOWA care a little more for humankind and nature!”

The final completion of the building has been delayed for two months beyond the official dedication.

The delay is not only because of the earthquakes, but also due to political turmoil. In particular, that was caused by the weeks-long supply boycott from India that caused great shortages of gas, petrol and medicines as well as construction materials in a country that is both one of the poorest in the world and stamped by corruption and cronyism. Investing in children and their education is the biggest hope for Nepal and its people. Education is the foundation, providing a chance for a Nepal where people will be able to live better lives. Additional investment in the school will come from Nepalhilfe Beilngries, which was represented at the dedication ceremony by founder Michael Rebele and his wife Michaela.

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Both were in the area as a part of a business trip, and both defrayed the cost of the journey personally, it was noted.

Construction of the school is just the beginning.

In order to further the project, Nepalhilfe Beilngries is reliant on additional donations. Even small amounts and other contributions can help greatly.

Financial help is needed, for example, to deliver the 2,500 pairs of kids’ shoes donated by LOWA. Import duties and transportation costs are so high that the shoes are being delivered to Nepal little by little in various travellers’ duffels.

On this note, a little more information from those who know Nepal: The country lives on tourism.

The country is safe. The people look forward to visitors from other countries. Tourism means secure jobs and allows the people to have their own income.

More information can be found at www.nepalhilfe-beilngries.de

In the middle, from left: Matthias Wanner, Markus Strefling and Michael Rebele at the dedication of the »LOWA School«.

AT LOWA DOESN’T ONLY MEAN MANUFACTURING With the growing consciousness regarding production safety, environmental protection and sustainability, one question is increasingly more important to consumers: Where does my footwear come from? That doesn’t only mean where the product was manufactured. Where materials come from also plays an essential role.

Quality for LOWA has been its most important value since the company was founded in 1923. At the same time, that has also been an integral part of the brand’s philosophy. That’s why we are rigorously focused on sourcing and manufacturing in Europe. As a heritage brand, we are putting an emphasis in particular on long-term partnerships: We have worked together with many of our suppliers for at least 10 years; with some, it’s even as many as 20 or more.

“Long partnerships make communication easier, and you know you can rely on each other”, explains technical and purchasing director Christian Ludy. But you can’t afford blind faith even in long-term supplier relationships. LOWA relies here on a finely honed evaluation system: All suppliers are documented and rated based on on-time delivery and product quality, as well as if the contracted quantity is delivered. If it becomes obvious that a supplier is repeatedly deficient, it receives a warning and therefore a chance to improve.

Repeated, long-term shortcomings mean partnerships must be suspended or even severed.

Purchasing is operated and processed centrally at the Jetzendorf headquarters where all deliveries are received. Thus, Ludy always maintains an overview of the situation: “Reliability of our supplierpartners is to us an essential element of our success.” Production runs are strictly scheduled, and most material orders are done two months in advance. If a delivery isn’t there at the decisive time or the quality isn’t up to standards, production grinds to a halt. With the clear commitment to “Made in Europe”, LOWA has higher material and production costs than some competitors do since the brand cannot allow any losses or inefficiencies. For important materials,

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LOWA works together with two or three suppliers so it’s insured against any big risks – in an emergency, a different supplier-partner can jump in.

In the selection of a new supplier, the quality of the product is the decisive factor; price is never the first criterion for selection. If the product makes a good impression, it’s put through an extensive testing process. Many material tests can be done at the Jetzendorf headquarters in Germany in the company’s own facility, such as verifying waterproofness, assessing material flex and tear, as well as doing abrasion-resistance and scuff tests. For further testing, the company works together with three accredited laboratories.

There, it’s all about analysing compliance with standards as laid out by the Restricted Substances List (RSL). This list contains information about chemicals and substances that can have negative health effects.

Test results from partner laboratories are legally binding and essential in the participation in official tendering procedures, for example.

In addition to these laboratory tests, other practical application tests hold great importance too, such as how the materials hold up to the manufacturing process. Christian Ludy doesn’t miss the opportunity

too to get his own personal impression of a supplier’s operations.

Dirty production conditions can’t be disguised, for example. To the heritage brand, it’s key to get to know how its suppliers tick and that they pay close attention to sustainable handling of resources during the entire process. “It is essential to find partners who abide by the same philosophy and have the same high demands in their products.” One thing is for Ludy very clear: “Only when all components are good is too the quality of the final product.”

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Athlete Feedback Meeting

SUMMIT MEETING OF THE PROS IN Late November at the Jetzendorf headquarters: The crème de la crème of the German-speaking alpinist world meets with the entire development team at LOWA.

LOWA development specialists on department manager Alex Nicolai’s team head excited and full of anticipation to the meeting with the biggest names in the world of alpinism: Stefan Glowacz, David Göttler, Rudi Hauser, Hans Kammerlander, Alix von Melle, Ines Papert and Luis Stitzinger. The attendee list reads like a Who’s Who of the alpinist elite.

The event is facilitated by Arthur Kudelka, himself an experienced alpinist who has been on adventures to a number of big mountains. He oversees the athlete team and, as the director of the service department, knows the product inside and out. CEO Werner Riethmann is of course also there, and he knows all of the athletes personally. In the end, it is he of course who decides who the brand will support in their extraordinary undertakings and who will be a member of the PRO Team. Indeed, being part of the LOWA PRO Team doesn’t just mean support both financially and in terms of gear, but it also means a professional partnership. And this meeting is a big part of that.

In first order, Werner Riethmann and the LOWA development team want to be there to ask Particularly central are the questions and to listen. Of course, the CEO pro models, EXPEDITION 8000 also makes it clear at the start that not every and 6000, LATOK and ICE COMP. wish from athletes can be translated into product. In the end, it is always about bringing products to market that will also sell. That’s how the company survives and that’s how it can afford this “hobby” of extreme sport, he adds.

Then the meeting really gets underway. Alex Nicolai and the athletes get to the point quickly: product feedback. Particularly central are the pro models, EXPEDITION 8000 and 6000, LATOK and ICE COMP. The development team concentrates hard in listening to the statements by the athletes. Praise and suggestions for improvement are meticulously noted. The athletes have intensive discussions among themselves too. It becomes clear that the ice climbing hotshots in part have different priorities than the rock climbers and high-altitude mountaineers. “We can’t make something that is all things to all people”, says Arthur Kudelka, as facilitator. Alex Nicolai adds that he simply has limits regarding construction in terms of certain points.

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JETZENDORF Still, it is evident that the pros are really involved with the product, touching on the smallest details and offering reviews of them.

“The boots are The developers nod their heads time and again, making notes and really good.” commenting to among each other quietly about what they hear.

You can see that it is all being intensively analysed and thought out thoroughly. The feedback roundtable develops into a constructive discussion about the optimisation of individual features and models. But praise is handed out generously too. “The boots are really good”, Hans Kammerlander says several times in his thoughtful style. Still, The desire to reduce weight is the common thread through much of the discussion of all pro models. For the athletes, it is a key point “in which it’s also clear that there can be no trade-offs in quality, reliability and warmth”, as Rudi Hauser notes. The alpinists make a few suggestions for improvements and ask Alex Nicolai and his team what they see as possible. The discussion is a truly eye-to-eye since both sides recognise they are dealing with real professionals on the other side.

David Göttler reports to the group about the boot he used last summer that was built especially for him – a model built by hand and not in the range. He is totally enthusiastic, offers just a few suggestions for improvement, and shows the boot to the expert roundtable there. Collective head-nodding and enthusiastic commentary. “This is exactly the boot that is missing in the range”, says Ines Pappert and all of the PRO Team members agree. The features are discussed in great detail, including design recommendations.

Then Alex Nicolai and Werner Riethmann weigh in on the commercial sales potential. At the end of the day it is settled: a project group will be set up to develop this new boot. The ideas developed during the roundtable will be implemented, possibly even in two models: A very special PRO version with a lot of technically detailed craftsmanship, and a model designed for broader use for normal mountain sports enthusiasts that can be mass produced. Once again, it becomes very clear the advantages when a company can not only make quick decisions but also has its own model-makers, trained shoemakers and all of the needed machinery right on-site. This one new model is not the only concrete result on this day. The development team has a lot of homework to take back to its offices and workshops.

Specifically, the direction leans toward lowering weight and reinforcing materials at trouble spots that have been revealed in extreme use. In some areas, materials can even be trimmed back since it has been shown that certain details aren’t needed. That’s because use in even the toughest conditions has

“I found my joy in climbing”, says LOWA PRO Team member Ines Papert, born in Wittenberg in 1974, in the flatlands of Saxony. After the fall of the Wall, the newly graduated physiotherapist moved to Berchtesgaden – and suddenly the Alps were out her front door. She started by hiking on “normal tracks”. In 2001 she won the overall title in the ice climbing world cup for the first time. She repeated that feat four times before she bid adieu to competitive sports. Now it is big walls and exposed peak lines that have a magnetic attraction.

Expeditions take her to the farthest reaches of the world.

The pair has been among the most active German expedition-style mountaineering couples for years. “Alix von Melle is the most successful German high-altitude mountaineer with her successful summits of six eight-thousanders”, is what Wikipedia says.

The two LOWA PRO Team members have already taken on adventures together on nine 8,000ers; successfully standing on the summit of six together. The list in their tour book of six- and seven-thousanders is much much longer. In her “normal life”, Alix is the press spokeswoman for Globetrotter outdoor retailer in Munich. Luis is a professional mountain guide and expedition leader for the expedition outfitter Amical alpin. He counts among the most successful “Big Mountain Skiers”

HANS KAMMERLANDER The mountain guide and ski instructor counts among the most successful extreme mountaineers of our time. Born in Ahornach, South Tyrol, he climbed his first threethousander as an 8 year old. Since then, the LOWA PRO Team member has completed more than 2,500 climbing tours, approximately 50 first ascents, and 60 solo climbs of big alpine walls. He has climbed 12 of the 14 eight-thousanders. Seven of those alongside Reinhold Messner. He skied down from the summit of Everest and through the steep flanks of Nanga Parbat. Hans Kammerlander has successfully completed one of two versions of the Seven Second Summits.

DAVID GÖTTLER “Mountaineering is for me far more than a hobby. It is my life, my passion”, says David Göttler, born in 1978 and one of the best high-altitude mountaineers in German-speaking countries. The LOWA PRO Team member is a certified mountain and ski guide, and the German Alpine Club expedition team trainer and cameraman. Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner’s long-time expedition partner has already stood on the summits of five eight-thousanders. He loves ice, wind and snow, the exposure, being outdoors, the adventure. He values the bond of friendship whose essence he experiences when he is in direct proximity to the mountains.

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ALIX VON MELLE and LUIS STITZINGER

today with his ski descent of several eight-thousanders. Every year they take on several adventures together in mountains around the world. Each of the two has his or her own characteristics and ambitions, thus there are often several different projects on one single trip.

Look for a report about Alix von Melle in this issue (page 6).

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STEFAN GLOWACZ He is the pioneer of modern climbing and Germany’s biggest adventurer. Even when the terrain is different, the motivation always remains the same: up and out to confront a challenge. It is a mix of childlike passion for adventure, humility, and indescribable pride that today still pushes Glowacz, born in 1965, to the far reaches of the earth. As a member of the LOWA PRO Team, he is not only a climber, but also a self-made entrepreneur who recognised early on that his passion could not end with a rappel if he were to make a profession out of this. He followed his own path, as a competitive climber, adventurer, business founder and consultant.

RUDI HAUSER The joiner by training is a latecomer. Born in 1982, he sought out his first challenge when he was 19 on the alpine routes of the Northern Limestone Alps and alpine ice in the Gastein Valley in Austria. The exceptional climber also quickly discovered the walls near his home. In 2003, he began his training as a mountain and ski guide, which he successfully completed in Chamonix in 2003. An extraordinarily strong psyche and uncompromising behaviour enables him in particular to experience ice climbing at the edge of the possible. The motto of the LOWA PRO Team member is: “To live means to have no fear.”

made clear that these aren’t necessary since there hasn’t ever been any trace of wear and tear. And now it is time for the athletes to listen. Alex Nicolai introduces to the PRO Team a new project the company is working on. It involves the vision of a new alpine boot. Everything about it has been rethought: fit, sole construction, cushioning, protection, aesthetic, weight. What is not up for discussion is the LOWA DNA. The PRO Team indicates it is highly impressed. Considering this vision and being able to see the first prototype, the athletes can see many of their precise desires have been implemented.

Alex Nicolai challenges the pros to work with them on further development by articulating their ideas and concepts. The bright eyes of the alpinist stars reveal that they’re eager to do just that. This kind of meeting is to be a fixture in the future. LOWA wants to utilise the expertise of its PRO Team even more “We as athletes on the PRO down the road. And, speaking for all of the athletes, Team would also like in the Stefan Glowacz says: “We as athletes on the PRO future to offer more to LOWA, Team would also like in the future to offer more to LOWA, to represent LOWA even more as brand to represent LOWA even ambassadors.” They underscore their request to more as brand ambassadors.” give back more to the company and to Werner Riethmann, who makes it possible for them to live their dreams. Dreams that ultimately are reflected in the footwear from LOWA. That’s because what the pros need for their adventures later find their way into the models for all of those “normal” outdoor and alpine enthusiasts. That’s why a PRO Team simply makes sense.

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Athlete profile: Alix von Melle

NINE OF FOURTEEN When you think about high-altitude or extreme mountaineers, of course the immediate picture you conjure up is of types like Reinhold Messner – a derring-do type with a weathered face, somebody who loves adventure and has no fear. Alix von Melle simply doesn’t fit this stereotypical image, partly because she’s a woman. Count to that her degree in geography from Germany’s northern reaches. Plus, her petite frame and delicate facial features just don’t look like the image most have of an extreme athlete. Nevertheless, the Hamburg-born woman is now the most successful high-altitude mountaineer in Germany.

Together a part of the LOWA PRO Team with her husband Luis Stitzinger, she has already been on nine of 14 total eight-thousanders – they stood together at the summit of six. And all of that was without the use of supplemental oxygen. When Alix isn’t out adventuring on high mountains, she works as the media spokeswoman for the Munich branch of retailer Globetrotter. She lives with her husband in Füssen in East Allgäu, Bavaria.

Alix von Melle is a mountaineer of passion as well as an enthusiastic climber and mountain biker.

The desire to climb the highest mountains on earth didn’t come about till later in life. As a child, Alix frequently went skiing in the Alps and really enjoyed the true winter there they didn’t have in Northern Germany. Still, the inclination to try out climbing and ski touring didn’t happen until she was studying geography at the university in Munich. With the Alps just outside her door, Alix learned about mountaineering and started getting deeply involved. Slowly, the Northerner became an all-round alpinist. Her first 8,000er was Gasherbrum II in Pakistan (earlier called K4). With that, her enthusiasm for high-altitude mountaineering was fully ignited.

Alix didn’t come to the LOWA PRO Team until two years after her first eight-thousander – and on her own initiative. During her climb of Gasherbrum II, she was still using boots from another brand for her endeavours. But she just wasn’t happy with them, for one because they weren’t sturdy enough. When her next expedition to a eight-thousander (Nanga Parbat in 2008) was being planned, she searched out a boot that satisfied all of her demands.

She selected the expedition boot 8000 EVO RD from LOWA: “I totally was impressed with this boot.

When you’re on an expedition, the correct footwear is a matter of life or death to protect you from hypothermia and frostbite. The EVO just has everything that you need. It’s durable and has great workmanship, but “It was the without any unnecessary bells and whistles.

product that impressed me.”

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For the climb of Nanga Parbat I therefore asked LOWA if it would sponsor me with this boot.

The company immediately said, ‘Yes’. That was just so nice. I also was given boots for the approach.

And I was then outfitted perfectly.”

Expeditions are however only a part of Alix von Melle’s life.

So she really appreciates the diversity of the LOWA brand: “At my house, “That’s really just the greatest. Of course, there are other you only find footwear brands that make good products. But some just have LOWA footwear.” hiking or trekking footwear, but perhaps no expedition boots or lifestyle shoes. With LOWA, you are covered all around.

I don’t have any other footwear brands now.” And then she added as if confiding a secret: “What you really aren’t supposed to say is that I never break in my footwear. Not the expedition boots, nor the lifestyle shoes. I just simply know that LOWA products always fit me perfectly no matter how long I’m out and about. I’ve never had a single blister.”

For early 2016 there are by the way no summits on the schedule. This winter, Alix and Luis want to go ski touring, And for 2016 … ski mountaineering and – if the weather and the conditions play along – they want to do an Alpine crossing. “I really love ski touring. For me, that’s nearly as great as climbing eight-thousanders.” Then, in April, they are heading to Norway for more ski touring. A week in Lofoten and a week in Lyngenalpen.

“That’s been a long-held dream of mine”, Alix gushes. And of course at the same time these tours are outstanding training for high-alpine adventures. That’s where they’ll head in summer and autumn.

At this time, summer is planned for Pakistan and autumn in Nepal. “In Pakistan we want to do a first ascent of a 7,000er. If that’s a success and we’re still feeling fit and well, we will also try Gasherbrum I. That’s really in close proximity, and we’ve never been there.” After that, they’ll take a short breather in Germany until they head off to Manaslu after Nepal. In 2012, Alix and Luis had made an attempt there but just 163 meters below the summit they had to turn back because of a strong storm. But the plans aren’t chiselled in stone yet because they know from experience that something can always come up. That doesn’t worry Alix a bit though: “We have so many goals and ideas about where we want to go. When the planning for whatever reason doesn’t work out, we’ll figure out something else.”

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Passion for life: Together on the highest peaks in the world Alix and Luis have shared their love for each other and for the mountains for 17 years. Of course, that means they have a little something to tell about their passion. About the feeling of reaching a goal. Or perhaps not reaching it. Because you are not always rewarded with luck in a summit attempt. Alix and Luis have written about all of these feelings, experiences and impressions in a book. In it, they trade off in telling their stories – from their studies to their professional goals to getting to know each other and coming together. The pair describes all of this in a very detailed manner, yet also very clearly and even emotionally in parts about what it means to pass their leisure time together at 8,000 meters.

Leidenschaft fürs Leben – Gemeinsam auf die höchsten Berge der Welt* 352 pages Publisher: Piper Malik ISBN: 978-3-89029-442-1 22,99 € * available only in German

ALIX’S FAVOURITE SHOES AND BOOTS

PHOENIX GTX® MID Ws (Trekking)

PALERMO Ws (Travel)

8000 EVO RD (Alpine)

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Social Media

A LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES September 2015 marked the beginning of LOWA Germany’s social media presence. LOWA Germany is now on Facebook, Twitter and Google+, as well as on the video and image-based portals YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram, plus is represented on the storytelling platforms Medium and Tumblr.

The central focus of the brand’s digital communication is however still the website, which is the source of all social media content. This strategy positions LOWA as an industry leader in digital communication and demonstrates that it as an influencer and digital supporter. The focal point is direct communication with consumers and making valuable information available to the trade.

The editorial team supporting Michael Frank (Marketing) and ADVERMA (agency of record) consists of specialists brought together from various segments of the company: Ingmar Anderson (Corporate Responsibility) focuses on sustainability, and literature and film tips; Sina Dietze (Quality Control) and Christoph Hühnerbein (Testing) are responsible for topics regarding product development; Arthur Kudelka (Director, Service Department) oversees topics about the Demo Centers and athletes, and

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The communication strategy is already proving effective – in less than three months on Facebook alone, the brand had attracted 4,000 fans. Even more important than the actual fan number, however, is a person’s interaction with the website. LOWA Germany is experiencing a clear message of popularity in the form of contributions and “likes”, company reviews and numerous direct messages. In addition to questions about products and services, the social media team enjoys in particular all of the compliments from enthusiastic LOWA fans.

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LOWA employees plant 460 trees

Youth team upfront

An established tradition at LOWA, the company’s environmental partnership program allows the brand to support the reforestation of the protected forest areas in Bavarian State Forests. The Jetzendorfbased mountain and outdoor bootmaker this year has again set aside EUR 5,000 for the program.

Climbing shoes are by far the newest category at LOWA. And the young athletes sponsored by LOWA with its shoes are also pretty new – and LOWA says “thanks” for their engagement and their top placements. In the 2015 Bouldering Cup finals at Friedrichshafen, several of the young LOWA climbing guys and gals again stood on the podium.

But that’s not all: The employees are also fully engaged in the partnership. In mid-September, a 12-person team was busy on the south side of the Grosse Traithen mountain near the municipality of Bayerischzell to shore up the area’s steep slopes by planting young trees.

The group from Jetzendorf was assigned to two mountain hillsides by managing ranger Rudi Kornder. There, they planted a total of 460 trees including larch, pines and beech, all of which were made available through the LOWA sponsorship program. The LOWA “activists” were quickly and properly sweaty, not only due to the fantastic autumn weather with brilliant sunshine, but also by the rather intense physical labour performed on the steep slopes at 1,200 meters above sea level.

A LOWA partnership supports the reforestation of Bavarian protected forests – a program in which many LOWA employees personally take part. A 12-person team from Jetzendorf was on-site to plant 460 young trees.

But even that didn’t quash the super mood. The Jetzendorfer Dozen actually had quite a bit of fun doing the work in the fresh mountain air, knowing it was also serving a good purpose. With the addition of native young trees to the aging forest, the steep slopes are protected from erosion or landslides.

This helps maintain the old mountain forest, which also serves as an important contribution to protecting the environment. Of course, LOWA will be back next year when it comes time for the 2016 Tree Planting Campaign in the protected forests of the Bavarian Alps.

LOWA athlete Schneider, 15, from Radolfzell, was victorious at the Swiss Bouldering Championships in Klosters in the U16 category.

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Dennis Loskot (Trade Marketing) reports on events and current retail news. This is how we end up with a varied and informative mix of topics. The goal is to create a balanced triad of relevant, interactive and shareable content. Of course, to reach and attract new fans with an outdoor emotional connection is another focus aside from sharing information about the brand and its products.

Yannick Flohe took 1st place in the male Youth-A competition and Emilie Gerhardt grabbed a fantastic 2nd place in the same age group for the girls. Among the guys, Stefan Danker climbed to a bronze medal in the same event, whilst Junior Luis Gerhardt took a solid 4th place. All four by the way wore the LOWA X-BOULDER model in competition. Yannick repeated his victory from Friedrichshafen at the German Lead Championships in München-Freimann in the Youth-A category in the autumn. He was the sole climber to “top out” in two qualification rounds and in the finals (in other words, climb to the end of the route), a feat that only occurs rarely. He also was wearing the X-BOULDER for this competition.

Just as successful was the LOWA athlete Luca Schneider from Radolfzell at Lake Constance. He took the win at the Swiss Bouldering Championship in the U16 category in Klosters. Schneider, 15, has been climbing with the LOWA team for three years.

LOWA Austria

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP EXCITES WINNERS

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In a sales promotion campaign in partnership with Intersport, LOWA Austria raffled off a photography workshop with award-winning outdoor photographer Herbert Raffalt.

On a brilliantly sunny day, the lucky winners met with the acclaimed photographer in Schladming/Rohrmoos at idyllic Lake Duisitzkar. At the end of the day, cameras were nearly smoldering with sensational photos, plus the education received and of course the pure enthusiasm of all of the winners was huge.

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These fantastic photos came out of the LOWA photography workshop with top outdoor photographer Herbert Raffalt.

HIKING AT LAKE WOLFGANG – WOMEN ONLY

SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR LOWA has been selected “Supplier of the Year” by Sport 2000 Austria. Members of the buying group choose their top suppliers in addition to “retailers of the year” awards. “With the recognition of our Austrian distribution partner, the LOWA brand, a successful company that last year celebrated its 30th anniversary has been honoured. The company also stands for sustainability and durable quality product”, noted the cooperative’s members. Determining factors in the brand’s selection as the highest-placing supplier in particular were values such as retailer loyalty, good retailer consultation and high product availability.

LOWA Austria boss Josef Würtinger takes great pride in receiving the honour of “Supplier of the Year” from Sport 2000 Austria.

On Saturday, 26 September 2015, the Lake Wolfgang Women’s Hiking Club met up for a day of hiking on the high meadow. More than 100 enthusiastic women hikers took part. The great outdoors, friendly people, camaraderie and conviviality – that summed up the day of hiking on the meadows for the women’s group at Lake Wolfgang. Just women? Well, no.

LOWA Austria sales manager Stefan Brandl took a few moments to hang out with the women, among whom was the owner Gudrun Trutmann-Peter of Lake Wolfgang’s world-famous hotel, “Im Weissen Rössl”. The reason for the LOWA manager’s visit: Thanks to work by Michaela Lippert from area retailer JL Sports, all participants were outfitted with a pair of LOWA RENEGADE boots.

Uniform look: More than 100 women with the Lake Wolfgang hiking group were outfitted with a pair of LOWA RENEGADE boots.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL PROMOTION A fantastic back-to-school promotion boosted the sale of kid’s footwear this summer for LOWA Austria.

Kids and parents alike could hardly wait for it to start since LOWA Austria had thought of something pretty special for the little ones: When select styles of kid’s footwear were purchased, a gift of an original SIGG bottle with a cool LOWA design was included free of charge. The practical water bottle is just right for school kids. Now, kids not only have just the right footwear for their adventures and for school, they also have the suitable bottle to take along to quench their thirst, be that with hot or cold beverages. The promotion was advertised with cheeky ads and posters that both kids and retailers liked quite a bit.

The back-to-school promotion by LOWA Austria to boost sales of kid’s footwear included a special LOWA SIGG bottle as a gift with purchase. The campaign was well received by kids and retail.

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From six to 12 months. That’s how long it takes from the first idea for a kid’s shoe to the sales-ready product. In an interview with Alex Nicolai, director of the LOWA design department, learn more about the complex process behind the development of LOWA’s successful kids’ footwear collection.

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CREATIVE DESIGN MEETS

TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMAN What is special about the design of LOWA’s kids’ footwear?

When it comes to kids’ footwear, as well as in all of other segments of course, the product is very much focused on performance. As an outdoor brand, we offer products that allow people, especially kids, to experience the outdoors – in any weather and on all kinds of tracks, trails and various terrain.

Is that enough – this more technical criteria – for today’s “cool” kids?

No, not at all! The technology is essential of course. But performance alone isn’t enough in the outdoor segment any longer. Footwear in all cases should also look good and please the wearer. Our approach is a design philosophy with stylish simplicity, a focus on the essentials with the addition of a few details. That means, we often use classic cuts with clear lines, and we accentuate a clean look with small touches such as trim or a colour pop.

Are there new products in the kids’ collection from LOWA for the coming Autumn_ Winter 2016_17 season?

For the coming season, we are launching two new products with the LENA II GTX® and MIKA II GTX® models that are ideal for the change of seasons. Currently, the trend not only with kids but also with adults is to wear outdoor footwear suitable for everyday use on autumn days or warmer winter days. These products offer satisfactory protection, traction, insulation and waterproofness, thanks to GORE-TEX® membranes. That combines with classic cuts and an easy-going casual look.

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What is the concept behind them?

The LENA II GTX® and MIKA II GTX® models are specially designed for kids, where the highlight is an extremely practical quick-entry system. For this, we are using a combination of elastic laces and hook-and-loop closures. This construction enables quick and easy on-and-off and, at the same time, enough support for outdoor activities.

What else can we expect when it comes to additional technical details?

Besides the quick-entry system already mentioned, the LENA II GTX® and MIKA II GTX® models have a flexible, low-profile sole that is particularly important in the development of growing kids’ feet. The outsoles have a grippy tread for all sorts of uses. The uppers are equipped with a warm, insulating GORE-TEX® membrane and therefore ensure warm, dry feet. All of our models are specifically tuned to the needs of kids, from the necessary functionality to production using kids’ lasts for perfect fit. In addition, these shoes have comfortable, long-lasting cushioning.

With such an active design team, these are most certainly not the only new products for the coming season, right?

For this season, we also are launching another highlight, the LIAM QC. This is reminiscent in design of a classic Chelsea Boot, but has been newly interpreted with a casual leisurewear aesthetic. The LIAM QC offers a wonderful combination of canvas and split leather.

But it also has all of the expected small details such as strap closures and grip. And of course with its elastic side inserts, this

bootie also has practical and quick, easy on, easy off for kids. The LIAM QC is actually purely an Autumn_Winter product. We in fact these days do sell a lot of footwear during transitions between seasons. Thus, we decided to launch the LIAM QC this season. It adds to our very successful casual kids range. In the overall picture, these products align with the urban outdoor and travel trend. In general, the kids’ area right now is growing tremendously, and the current A_W models are performing very well at retail. So we’re freshening up the entire collection of A_W carry-over models with colour updates.

Regarding membrane suppliers, is there any news when it comes to the Autumn_ Winter 2016_17 collection?

When it comes to membranes and waterproofness, we exclusively use GORE-TEX® in all LOWA products. That of course also holds true in the kids’ segment where we also focus in this respect on the highest quality and performance. For the Autumn_ Winter 2016_17 season, we often use the warmest GORE-TEX® lining products, Panda and Partelana. With those, we can offer additional insulting warmth in addition to waterproofness.

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SHIP Where does LOWA put a strong focus in kids’ footwear regarding workmanship and footwear construction?

One of our primary technologies is LOWA MONOWRAP®. With it, the lateral components of the midsole frame wrap high onto the upper to help guide, support and protect the foot. This technology will again be used in a great number of our models for the Autumn_Winter 2016_17 season. Our kids’ products are thus specially equipped for physical activity outdoors. They offer protection and support for all kinds of leisure activities outdoors, even when the weather is cooler.

Is it difficult to bring together the demands for both style and outdoor performance? Are there compromises you possibly have to make as a designer?

For performance outdoor footwear you need outsoles with more tread compared to “normal” leisure footwear in order to ensure the necessary grip on different surfaces. Add to that a thicker midsole to add needed protection. Also, the uppers must offer a certain amount of stability to help guide and support the foot on tracks and trails. These basic requirements bring certain challenges to us in design in trying to make stylish, lightweight footwear, although this is not of course our primary goal. With our products, it’s much more about creating approachable outdoor footwear in its aesthetic, construction and choice of materials. In the process, we naturally find inspiration in current fashion trends, but we never lose our focus on performance.

To what extent does sustainability – also in the design process – play a role at LOWA? Do you think that this topic is becoming increasingly more important?

Absolutely! The topic of sustainability is more and more important in our work at LOWA too. That’s why we have added an expert to our team who will exclusively oversee these matters in the future (see report in this edition of LOWA News, page 12). In general, our company’s philosophy is to completely manufacture our footwear in Europe and to do that using the best possible premium components.

This has an effect on quality and thus also on the lifespan of our products. They can be used significantly longer, which also positively affects sustainability in great measure. And the design process also of course influences the sustainability of our products. In the end, for us, it is all about developing functional, long-lasting performance products and with that achieving a positive outcome. In this context, I should also mention that all of our trekking and alpine footwear in the adult collection with cemented construction can be resoled. We have also succeeded in being able to replace the heels of ATC models.

Resoling naturally also has a positive effect on sustainability.

The idea of making special kids’ footwear is of course not new. What has changed over the years with the use of new technology and materials? Where are the innovations?

The potential design of the footwear is directly correlated with the available technology and materials in the footwear industry.

In recent years, a few developments have happened in this area.

Uppers can be made lighter and more functional with synthetic materials. Fabrics are now more performance oriented. They offer for example better ventilation, more protection, and are perceptibly more water resistant as earlier. When it comes to outsoles, we are now in the position with special modelling to better support and protect kids’ feet.

So all kinds of things have happened in recent years! Are we about to achieve something in the kids’ footwear segment that can do everything?

Every product can be targeted precisely to a particular use. They can be specially constructed depending on the terrain and where it will be worn. There is no real product that can truly do it all. But there are of course optimal solutions for many uses based on the versatility of today. All told, that means for us as a manufacturer that we can make even lighter and more multifunctional kids’ footwear.

Where do you get the idea for all of these perfect LOWA kid’s products?

Generally, we gather input and inspiration from various arenas.

Sometimes from those close to the market such as distributors or sometimes from sales. Sometimes from users, that is, from the kids and their parents themselves. We gather ideas not only at trade fairs, but also in our daily lives with friends and family when we’re outdoors. It is here that it is essential to see the world with the eyes of a child, to remain curious, and to leave open a little room for creativity.

And then the work begins? Is it a one-man show by a production specialist or more like a team project?

After the concept is set and we know for example which demands the product should fulfil and what demographic it should be for, the so-called “sketch phase” starts. This is where the first designs are developed. Our team discusses various ideas, designs, sketches and concepts. It is precisely during this phase where the exchange of ideas is very vital. You must scrutinise and critique the designs, reflect upon the concepts together, and find solutions. The entire LOWA team contributes its strengths during this process. To accomplish that, a solid, open, team environment is key.

When your idea for a new product is ready, what is the next step on its way to a final product?

The implementation and footwear development is the task of our modellers. They translate the drawings into a first prototype. This is the point where ideas, trends and innovations blend with tried-andtrusted expertise, tradition and craftsmanship. Teamwork is essential here too. The short distance between design, development and production as well as the idea exchange on site makes it easier for us to try out new things and find good solutions. We work on fine-tuning the prototypes and samples for a long time so they meet our demands. Along the way, there could be several rounds of prototyping.

How long does the process from product idea to a salesready product take?

Fit tests and wear tests are integrated into the development process, which also includes gathering feedback from kids about the design.

All told, the process takes between six to 12 months, depending on the complexity of the model and the concept. In the end, the new product is presented at our sales meeting and, after that, shown to our customers in presentations.

Development director Alex Nicolai (far left), surrounded by the LOWA Design Team, says he is proud of the new Autumn_Winter collection.

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Ingmar Anderson

SUSTAINABILITY AT LOWA NOW HAS A FACE

JUST THE FACTS

Name: Ingmar Anderson Age: 46

Birthplace: Frankfurt am Main Residence: Petershausen

ree, Professional education: Biology deg al tion upa occ post-degree specialisation in ageenvironment and environmental man nce, ment systems, 16 years of experie k most recently as CR manager at Jac Wolfskin Position at LOWA: CR Manager

rature

Hobbies: Film scores, outdoors, lite ® Favourite shoe: VANTAGE GTX

Sustainability is an important topic in the sports industry and in particular in outdoor. Environmentally sound manufacturing as well as fair employee standards has long been a part of the company philosophy at LOWA. Indeed, sustainability involves much more and is gaining increasing importance.

Out of ethical reasons, LOWA uses no merino wool, no down, no fibres made from milk or other foodstuffs, no nanotechnology, no antiperspirants and no biocides. In addition, the entire All Terrain Sport collection is vegan, including glues that are free of animal components.

To that end, LOWA has created a new position. As of 1 April 2015, Ingmar Anderson, 46, will oversee LOWA’s engagement with sustainability issues. Anderson, with a degree in biology, specialised after graduation in the environment and environmental management systems. He has comprehensive professional experience in the area of Corporate Responsibility (CR).

Environmentally sound and sustainable products are durable products. That holds true to a high degree for LOWA footwear. They win you over with their top quality and durability. Add to that a comprehensive repair service, in particular the extensively used opportunity for resoling.

With the establishment of this new position, LOWA has bundled all of its CR measures in order to develop the most extensive strategy – a long-term process indeed. After the company identifies its CR spheres of activity (see illustration), new concrete goals and standards will be gradually implemented. The goal is to slowly integrate CR aspects into all fields of activity. company

employees

concept of sustainability

customers

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society

environment

LOWA is already well prepared. Already, a long-term supplier management system has been established. It guarantees fair and environmental manufacturing conditions as it does also products free of or low in hazardous materials. A good example for that is in our selection of leathers. LOWA leather comes exclusively from European hides. Our primary supplier is the German company Heinen (www.heinen-leather.de), which has a company philosophy of environmentally sound and socially responsible production that crosses over with that of LOWA’s.

A further important aspect is that all materials used are free of hazardous materials. LOWA has created a list of all prohibited materials or those that can only be used in limited quantities in its products – a list that is in compliance with the CADS guidelines (www.cads-shoes.com). The brand thus ensures that only chromefree tanned leathers are used. In addition, only C8-free treatments and shoe crèmes are applied.

HANSI SCHMID HUGE LOSS

As the industry leader in this age of globalisation, LOWA has focused consciously on its “Made in Europe” philosophy. That also promises fair production. And the Bavarian brand also demands this from its suppliers and production partners. They must sign LOWA’s Code of Conduct (CoC), which is based on international guidelines such as the principles of the UN Global Compact and the ILO Convention guidelines. Regular internal evaluations – so-called audits – ensure compliance. The CoC governs working hours and wages, including overtime and special pay for example for holidays or other time off; benefits or even the complete assumption of meals and transportation costs; and overtime allowances. Of course, issues such as protection against dismissal, continued payment of wages during illness, maternity leave, freedom to unionise, or the prohibition of child labour are regulated by law and also covered in the Code of Conduct.

And lest we forget the topic of energy efficiency: The company headquarters in Jetzendorf which houses management and production has successfully passed the energy audit DIN 16247 required by law. In addition, the company parking lot was roofed over with a large photovoltaic system this summer. And, if you want to know how vital the topic of sustainability is at LOWA, consider that Ingmar Anderson reports directly to CEO Werner Riethmann.

Hansi Schmid was fatally injured in a tragic accident at the age of 42. He was buried on 18 August in Jetzendorf, Germany, at a funeral attended by his family, numerous friends and the LOWA staff. Hansi Schmid worked at LOWA for 27 years, with the last 19 as a model maker in the development department. With his expertise and ability, he had a lasting impact on the company. His joyous nature, straightforward and hands-on style, and sincere character were contagious. LOWA has not only lost a valued employee with the loss of Hansi Schmid, but many have also lost a great friend.

He was still in the prime of his life. He generously took on responsibility, tackled something whenever it was needed, and always shared his comprehensive knowledge with other colleagues. Hansi Schmid leaves behind a wife and a daughter, and our deepest sympathies go out to them after this terrible loss.

The tragic and unexpected death of Hansi Schmid leaves a huge hole in the LOWA family.

Professionally and personally. Many have such unforgettable experiences and great memories tied to him. We will always hold him in our thoughts.

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LOWA Mitarbeiter

Name: Sibylle Bischler Age: 43 Birthplace/Residence: Interlaken Professional education: Child care professional, travel planning professional Position at LOWA: Marketing director at LOWA Schuhe AG, Switzerland Hobbies: Travel, sport climbing, hiking, cycling, swimming, ski touring, Nordic skiing … and, if there is any time left, also playing the guitar.

Favourite shoe: LAURIN GTX® LO

Kristin Meic-Sidic

Welcome to the team!

LOWA Switzerland is excited about the addition to its team: Sibylle Bischler has been working with René Urfer and his team as marketing director since August 2015. The enthusiastic athlete, 43, completed her education as a travel planning professional at Globetrotter and most recently was employed at Icebreaker in outside sales and marketing. Now, she is responsible for the marketing for all of LOWA Schuhe AG’s brands: LOWA, LEKI, Blizzard, Tecnica, Moonboots, Glorify and Holmenkol. Her spectrum of duties is broad, ranging from budgeting to trade marketing, including working with the media, media planning and sponsorships/partnerships, as well as overseeing the Swiss website. Sibylle is thrilled about the new professional challenges: “It’s important to me to work with a company with products and a philosophy I can also stand behind 100%. It is also motivating to me to work in marketing with a heritage brand that has become a market leader through consistency, the power of innovation, and quality. At LOWA Switzerland, I have also joined a very motivated team that is truly supportive and fully committed.”

Our very own graphic designer LOWA now has its own creative graphic specialist in Kristin Meic-Sidic, 36. She will work with the ad agency ADVERMA in the creation of advertisements, flyers, catalogues, printed materials, etc. The graduate of the German Master Academy for Fashion in Munich has a degree as a fashion and communication designer. She will develop design templates, for example for new packaging, catalogues, POS materials, etc. With this newly created position, LOWA now has the possibility to be highly flexible in implementing graphic designs and services, even at short notice.

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Meic-Sidic knows LOWA very well since she worked as a freelancer for two years for LOWA’s long-time agency FWA that worked with the Jetzendorf company until the agency’s owner retired. With hobbies that include hiking, climbing, traveling and being outdoors, she fits the LOWA team perfectly. Her artistic tastes gravitate toward painting and playing the piano, which both serve as additional sources of inspiration for her work at LOWA. The mother of two children also has a long relationship with LOWA. She told LOWA NEWS: “As a child, I went hiking and climbing a lot with my parents. When I was 12, my father bought me my first pair of LOWA outdoor boots. These carried me for a long time to the top of many summits comfortably and without blisters.”

JUST THE FACTS

Name: Dennis Loskot Age: 23 Birthplace: Munich

Residence: Markt Indersdorf of Professional education: Bachelor Arts, Sport Management

Position at LOWA: Trade marketing and distribution Hobbies: Football, skiing, handball, mountains, footwear Favourite shoe: PALERMO

Dennis Loskot Trade marketing’s new team member Dennis Loskot is the newest member of the marketing department at LOWA in Jetzendorf. Loskot, 23, studied Sport Management at Erding college in Bavaria, and is now responsible for trade marketing at LOWA. In addition, he’ll also function as coordinator for the distribution team at Sixtus. He will be the contact for LOWA outside sales reps and for the Bavarian personal care products company with its natural athletic care products that the LOWA team will distribute in Germany and Austria.

Loskot is not only professionally well suited for hit duties. He is also an athlete with diverse sports interests, including football, handball, ski and mountain sports. He thus has a great personal affinity for what LOWA does. What he finds particularly attractive about his new duties in Jetzendorf are the new challenges every day in working with trade partners and the personal contacts. He especially likes the casual interactions among team members, the super team spirit, and the chance to have a vocation that is fun for him.

JUST THE FACTS Name: Kristin Meic-Sidic Age: 36 Birthplace: Dresden Residence: Munich Professional education: Fashion and Communication Design Position at LOWA: Graphic Designer Hobbies: Hiking, climbing, playing the piano, painting Favourite shoe: LAURIN GTX® LO

Moritz Pietraß JUST THE FACTS Name: Moritz Pietraß Age: 39

Birthplace/Residence: Berlin Professional education: Master of Arts, Sports Science and Business Administration r& Position at LOWA: Project manage t Outside Sales Rep North/Eas Hobbies: Sport (tennis, running, ding football, kiteboarding), music, rea Favourite shoe: INNOX EVO GTX®

Versatility in the northeast Responsible for a range of duties, Moritz Pietraß is one of the newest members of the LOWA team. For one, he takes care of the northeastern sales region in Germany as outside sales rep. At the same time, he is in charge of a list of various jobs in sales and marketing. After graduating with a degree in business administration and sport science, Pietraß, 40, started out as a team leader at Runners Point and moved on to act as a department manager at Decathlon as he gathered professional experience. He then moved to a position as an outside management consultant for Sport 2000. There, he accumulated extensive and diverse industry and segment-specific expertise.

Most recently, he was a buyer for brands4friends.

He brings to LOWA not only comprehensive industry experience but also extensive and diverse knowledge. He will be responsible for working with retail partners in the northeast, for example, also doing technical trainings, and working on-site with retail promotions and consumer communication. He is excited about working for LOWA, a heritage brand shoe with regional roots he also appreciates. Pietraß also says he values the “honest, premium, durable products that are 100% Made in Europe”, he told LOWA News. The flatlander from Tyrol didn’t start hiking until he was 32. That’s when a couple of enthusiastic, older Swiss men initiated him by chased him up several 3,000-metre peaks and infected him with a love for the mountains.

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LOWA MOLVENO GTX® MID, TORTONA GTX® MID Ws So much more than an interim solution.

The best choice in changeable weather.

Weather during the change in seasons from autumn to winter can be wet, cold and unpleasant. It is still too warm for winter boots and those stylish leisure shoes? Don't even dare go out in the icy cold. It's a good thing when an interim solution such as the MOLVENO GTX® MID or the TORTONA GTX® MID Ws can be worn for a longer period of time. And also excellent that they are impressive both aesthetically and functionally – no matter what the weather. For the season between autumn and winter, we warmly recommend both mid-cut boots with a sneaker aesthetic. Why? Because with the GTX® Panda lining, feet can still breathe easily on sunny autumn days. Yet they always stay warm and dry even when it's wet and cold out thanks to a robust upper made of either durable smooth or nubuck leather. These performance boots can also be totally fashionable. Fine detailing such as embossing and decorative stitching underscores the stylish yet casual look. And to ensure nothing gets in the way of your big appearance, even on slippery surfaces, these boots have a grippy Winter Sneaker Sole from LOWA that gives you perfect traction.

LOWA WENDELSTEIN WARM GTX®, LOWA WENDELSTEIN WARM GTX® Ws Classic retro look for modern trendsetters.

Yesterday’s look with today’s trends.

When traditional craftsmanship and innovative technology walk the same path, then the result can only be a fashionable performance leisure shoe with “pfiff”. And thus a real head-turner with a classic retro look that always keeps feet warm and dry. Introduced for Summer 2015, the WENDELSTEIN MID GTX® is now available in an insulated winter version. Just like its predecessors, this stylish winter boot picks up the clean and clear retro design of traditional outdoor boots, and then adds to them with performance detailing, a stylishly vintage look and the time-honoured LOWA logo. To be sure the alpine design doesn't just look good, you get a grippy Vibram® sole for needed traction when the surface is slippery underfoot.

LOWA VALLOIRE GTX® MID Ws Retro, yes, but far ahead of its time.

Timeless and beautiful for long winter days.

Gone are the days of clunky winter boots – boots that indeed keep women's feet warm, but are unbearably heavy. These days, lighter and aesthetically more pleasing is also possible. That's proved by the stylish winter sneaker by LOWA. Femininity is the new function. And that goes with the stylish combination of a classic retro look and innovative detailing. It starts with the embossed vintage logo and continues all the way to the tips of your toes. Whilst the premium smooth leather with a lightly waxed finish on the forefoot protects reliably in wet conditions, the functional GTX® Partelana lining ensures warm feet even on icy cold days. And when a short shopping errand turns into a true shopping marathon, the flexible LOWA Sneaker Winter Sole prevents fatigue of any sort.

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LOWA MIKA II GTX®, LENA II GTX®

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Gang way for a flexible winter boot.

Small sneakers for big winter fun.

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It is not a question of age to know what you want and precisely what you don't want. Cold feet, for example. With the casual wear sneakers MIKA II GTX® and LENA II GTX®, even the youngest of trendsetters mustn't make compromises anymore during the cold, wet change of seasons. And when it comes to winter fun they are front and centre. The winter version of these cool sneakers, however, isn't just something to satisfy the fashion demands of trendy kids. Feet too love the warm GTX® Panda lining and the weatherproof outer materials. Plus, both the robust split loden wool in the boy's model and the stylish split tweed in the girl's model give you reliable weather protection on the worst days. And because the youth of today basically wants everything to move as fast as possible, stretch laces make for easy-on, easy-off of these hip kicks: Simply slip in, pop down the hook-and-loop band, and off they go. Now only the direct-injected Sneaker Soles from LOWA can stop the little varmints.

LOWA LIAM QC As flexible as a kid's expectations.

Children can hardly wait sometimes to finally be all grown up. With the new slip-on boots LIAM QC

by LOWA, the long wait will be just a little bit shorter by a few seconds. With these trendy leisure boots with the look of canvas, kids can be smack in the middle of life in the shortest time. Those little grown-ups can step into their role models' shoes and run straight into their next adventure with giant leaps and bounds faster than ever imagined. Where the journey heads is, of course, totally no matter. Be it for everyday wear or playing outside, these mid-calf boots are ready to go anywhere you do with their second-hand canvas look combined with waxed smooth leather. Even the kid-specific Sneaker Summer soles flexibly accommodate the constantly changing demands of kids. And they give the best grip on any surface all year round.

Made for children, but not childish!

RENEGADE GTX® LO A successor that goes its own way.

Low cut with high performance.

Making something good even better is one of the biggest challenges of all time. Proving this is truly possible is the RENEGADE GTX® LO by LOWA. One super comfortable low-cut hiker that doesn't fall short of its predecessor a.k.a. its role model. The reengineered low-cut version of the RENEGADE GTX® is equipped with the highest expectations in its quest to also become a classic. The comfort and cushioning of the now slightly wider-cut fit has also been re-optimised. The firm support of the grippy LOWA Vibram® Renovo sole is certainly impressive. But so too is how it reliably resists big impacts with two PU heel inserts of different degrees of firmness. The combination of durable nubuck leather and a breathable GORE-TEX® membrane ensures the best weather protection and feet that always stay dry.

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INNOX EVO GTX® QC, INNOX EVO GTX® QC Ws Sets new standards on any terrain.

Uniquely multifunctional.

When spontaneity and multifunctional footwear come together, then one thing is certain: an unexpected adventure! And that's a good thing because if you want to do more than just one lap around the block, the super lightweight LOWA INNOX EVO GTX® QC is ready to strike out on its own with nary a thought. Anything is possible with this extremely light and comfortable all-rounder. In any weather. The upper of this athletic quarter-cut model is clearly higher compared to traditional lower-cut hiking footwear. That adds extra support for demanding off-road treks.

SEATTLE GTX® QC, MAINE GTX® QC Ws, BOSTON GTX® LO, MAINE GTX® LO Ws No need to chase after fashion trends.

Impressive in any high street district.

What wins you over on the hiking trail must also perform when you head out shopping. Look no further for the best proof of that than the sneaker models SEATTLE GTX® QC, MAINE GTX® QC Ws, BOSTON GTX® LO and MAINE GTX® LO Ws. That's why LOWA knowingly relies on its longtime expertise in the outdoor sports segment even with these cool

leisurewear sneakers. Indeed, whilst the naturally rugged outdoor look can be taken as a homage to its own roots, the classic Derby shoe design is in step with today's fashion trends. Be it the low-cut shoe or the higher-cut quarter cut version, a functional material blend of lightly waxed canvas, denim, and full-grain leather ensures the best weather protection in all models.

LOWA Radio Campaign

ONCE AGAIN, THE MOUNTAINS BECKON Once the carousing and drinking Oktoberfest is renown for is over, it’s time again to head off into the outdoors and to the mountains. That’s what was behind the joint promotion, “Herold’s Awesome Hiking Day”, by the Munich Radio Station Charivari 95.5 in partnership with LOWA on 11 October. The broad regional sales promotion encompassed retailers in the greater Munich metropolitan area all the way out to Lake Tegernsee valley. It pushed a lot of people into action the weekend after Oktoberfest, promoting outdoor activity and, even more importantly, the topic of sensible hiking footwear.

For two weeks prior, popular disc jockey Jan Herold and his colleague Jenna Deppner promoted the Hiking Day supported by LOWA to be held just outside of Munich. Morning after morning, he talked it up with super enthusiasm and creativity during The Herold Show. The only requirement on LOWA’s part for the announcements was to make reference explicitly to sport and footwear speciality retail. Success was huge. LOWA sales director Matthias Wanner and his team greeted enthusiastic participants in high spirits

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even in the misty autumn weather. Everybody hiked together to 1,200-meter-high Neureuth alpine meadows.

“Our concept once again is a resounding success”, said Wanner, enthusiastic about the second edition of the promotion. “With this campaign, we wanted to get as many people as possible moving in the outdoors.

We put out a call-to-action to listeners to spend a day outdoors with their families, neighbours and friends.”

It was important to the organisers that the meeting point for those coming from the city could be reached quickly and easily. Visitors eagerly took part in the testing opportunity to demo LOWA boots. “Many who came wearing sneakers were converted after the steep ascent”, said satisfied LOWA employees who were peppered all day long with questions and requests for advice. Answers and tips provided by on-site staff directly supported regional speciality retailers from Munich to Lake Tegernsee. Of course, there was also eager interest in the massage booth from Sixtus. LOWA has distributed the personal care products by Sixtus since September. And that brand had a bit of a home field advantage since it is headquartered in the next valley over at Lake Schliersee.

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At one time, Taiwan counted among low wage countries. But that was decades ago.

The economy of the country is now highly developed. Many Taiwanese companies have their manufacturing done in “Mainland China”, which is how the Taiwanese often refer to their neighbour since it was created after Mao’s Communist Revolution. Economically speaking, Taiwan is a strong country with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita of approximately USD 23,000. When it comes to the outdoor industry, however, one can still refer to it as a developing country. The Taiwanese only now are slowly discovering the outdoors. In particular, young people are taking the lead, taking camping vacations and picnic outings, which are of course gateway activities. Outdoor sports are not usually among the typical leisure time activities for residents of the island, where three-quarters of the area is covered by mountains with almost 300 three-thousanders among them. Perhaps that’s not so surprising when you consider the tropical climate where the annual average temperatures is nearly 23° C with extremely high humidity.

Nevertheless, LOWA is well represented in Taiwan. And the brand has had demonstrable

success. The firm Free Time Gears (FTG) took over as LOWA’s Taiwanese distributor in 2010 and since then it has doubled the market there.

Company managing director Judith Lin, who has other internationally known outdoor brands in the portfolio besides LOWA, knows the industry very well. FTG works with several hundred independent dealers, a few shop-in-shops in department stories, as well as dozen or so of its own stores. The Taiwanese sports and outdoor market landscape is strongly characterised by brand stores of international companies and stores run by distributorships. To that, add a handful of domestic outdoor brands, also with their own stores. Still, FTG has been successful in opening a large number of doors.

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Taiwan, which is also called the Republic of China, is an island that is situated off the coast of Mainland China. In area, the country is somewhat smaller than Belgium, but with 23 million inhabitants, it has nearly as large a population as Belgium and The Netherlands combined. Certainly quite an interesting market.

And that includes for LOWA.

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TAIWAN AND ITS DEVELOPING OUTDOOR INDUSTRY

Since Taiwan does not have a long tradition of hiking or outdoor sports, the focus for LOWA in this island nation is on products in the ATC line.

There, of course, the brand based in Jetzendorf wins points with its superior fit and premium quality just as it does in the second area it emphasises there: travel footwear. With this foundation, FTG wants to slowly introduce more trekking footwear into stores in Taiwan.

One real challenge: Up to this point, many Taiwanese have relied on rubber boots when they take part in any outdoor activities, FTG notes.

The population finds dry feet and protecting its pocketbook vital, says Yu-Yi Chang, brand director and contact for LOWA’s export manager Matthias Preussel. This one small example demonstrates that FTG and LOWA have a lot of work to do there – and of course the market thus offers much potential.

LOWA’s image in Taiwan is very high. The Taiwanese value “Made in Europe” and the manufacturing of products in a company’s own facilities, particularly in Germany. In Taiwan, LOWA stands for the highest quality, superior fit and outstanding comfort. With regular, intensive retail trainings, FTG ensures that store employees are in the know about LOWA and its products. Sales personnel in their (small) spaces have a huge influence in Taiwan on products sold. There, it’s traditional that each product is only on the shelf in the store in one size. Therefore, it’s up to the salesperson to a large degree to determine which product he or she fetches from the warehouse in the size needed.

With LOWA, it’s of course a given that, as a rule, the salesperson only has to go to the warehouse once since the shoes and boots fit and customers feel comfortable in them.

CHILE

PROFILE

Distributor name: Diseño Tatoo Ltda. go, Runs its own stores under the name Tatoo, with two in Santia one in Concepión and one in Temuco LOWA Distributor: since 2013

The three best-selling LOWA models in Chile are the MOUNTAIN EXPERT, CATALAN and RENEGADE. For Tatoo, taking over the LOWA distributorship in Chile and came down to two decisive points: top quality of the product a prestigious brand image.

Today, the LOWA brand counts among the most respected se brands in Chile. For one, because of the quality, but also becau of the design and performance.

Compared to 10 years ago, outdoor plays a big role in Chile. they Now, people go to the mountains and parks more often where hike or ride bikes frequently. And the idea of the outdoors is lives still growing as it develops into an even more vital part of the of the people in Chile.

Fernado Fainberg, Tatoo buyer, prefers the LOWA MOUNTAIN EXPERT when he heads outdoors.

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OUTDOOR AGAINST CANCER With the “Outdoor against Cancer” initiative, journalist and alpinist Petra Thaller has created a unique project. And LOWA came on-board as an initial sponsor of the concept of the outdoor industry working together to take action against the cancer.

Hearing a diagnoses of cancer is a major turning point in your life that cannot be totally understood by anyone who has not experienced it.

Not even a doctor who has not him- or herself had such a diagnosis can comprehend such an event. Nor can family, friends and others.

As a cancer patient, Petra Thaller recognises this. Every person reacts differently: First, the phase of self-questioning – Why me? Then the phase of uncertainty – Which direction to take? And, even worse, the phase of apprehensive indecision – Am I doing the right thing?

The greatest portion of patients withdraws, even feels ashamed that this “disease of the people” (more than 500,000 people are diagnosed annually with cancer in Germany alone) has struck them.

Founder of “Outdoor against Cancer” Petra Thaller was on an expedition in Papua New Guinea to the Carstensz Pyramid (4,884 m) and had succeeded in her summit of the second-highest peak on the Australian continent, Ngga Pulu (4,862 m). Just a few weeks later she received

The grim diagnosis

the diagnosis: breast cancer. A tumour? No, in fact, six malignant tumours in her right breast. Still, Thaller somewhat found the ability to see the positive side and not just the negative. She kept thinking about how these six mean scoundrels were along with her on the three-week expedition and then ran with her at quick tempos on her daily loop in Munich’s English Garden park. Felt great out skiing, just like before the diagnosis, and that they had found these guys in good time. After several regular medical visits – including a whole body screening (no additional metastases), removal of sentinel lymph nodes (two of eight were affected), and inserting a port in the chest area to make chemo treatments easier – Petra Thaller started her own personal Chemo Challenge in early March 2015. Six months later and scores of trail runs along the Isar River in Munich, plus skiing and mountain adventures, road cycles and hikes, it was time: The first public appearance of “Outdoor Against Cancer” (OaC) at the 2015 OutDoor trade fair in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The appearance drew an enthusiastic response from people, the media and the medical world.

In order to get the project up and running, Petra Thaller sought LOWA, there support from the industry. LOWA from the start CEO Werner Riethmann was on-board in support of the project from the beginning: “Professional pressures and everyday stress – it’s important to think more often about your health. Get outdoors, heal yourself, enjoy nature – That is what we want to support and promote with the initiative “stay fit – get healthy”,

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Riethmann says. Meanwhile, there is now a detailed project plan. Still in its development phase, the umbrella organisation operates the OaC organisation when it comes to cancer topics in the outdoor sector.

The goal is to offer help to those who need it beyond the classic undertakings of the standard medical support system. As a unique selling point in contrast to other cancer organisations, all activities will be held outdoors.

Some projects envisioned: an OaC hut in the mountains, direct support of both those affected and their loved ones, outdoor movement programs in urban areas, and a programme of tours offered in the mountains and in nature that are specially designed for cancer patients. “I don’t tend to think small, but instead think big, big. Over the long term, I imagine an initiative more the size of ‘Menschen für Menschen’ (People for People)”, Thaller says with a laugh. “Some think I’m totally crazy. But only with something like that can you truly offer help and you can truly communicate the importance of outdoor activities, being outdoors, movement in nature as prevention and rehabilitation. The time is now.”

More information is available by visiting www.outdooragainstcancer.de and www.petrathaller.de.

Earthquake catastrophe in Nepal

LOWA SWITZERLAND INCREASES ON-SITE AID After the earthquake catastrophe in Nepal the end of April and in mid-May, LOWA Switzerland immediately increased its on-site aid. The company quickly offered additional aid to select aid projects and projects LOWA Switzerland is familiar with.

Plus, current projects received continued focus.

health in danger.” That’s why LOWA CEO René Urfer started the “Shoes for Nepal” project two years ago with travel agent Globotrek and outdoor retailer Transa. All project participants are convinced that the project will remain vital in building the tourist infrastructure, even after the earthquake.

“We feel as one with Nepal and its people”, explained René Urfer, CEO of LOWA Switzerland. Spontaneously and without bureaucratic ado, long-time partners in Nepal were given extra support after the devastating earthquake. That includes the home for homeless children “Nawa Asha Griha NAG”, founded and run by Swiss woman Nicole Thakuri-Wick in Kathmandu.

The non-governmental organisation “KEEP” “Take on a little bit (Kathmandu Environmental of accountability” – Education Project) is even with footwear grateful for the footwear delivery from Switzerland.

“KEEP offers porters and sherpas in the capital city of Nepal a ‘porters clothing bank’.” There, local travel outfitters can loan their employees going into the mountains outdoor-appropriate gear and trekking and hiking footwear. According to KEEP employee Arjun Limbu, boots are some of the highest wear items. The non-profit institution works on protecting the safety and expanding the education of sherpas, porters and other support crew. After the earthquake, it continues to provide maintenance and repair of gear in its own workshop.

Urfer also noted his pleasure that the “Shoes for Nepal” project, kicked off in spring 2015 with Globotrek and Trans, could celebrate its first long-term success. Shortly before the earthquake, 400 pairs of outdoor boots were delivered to a local aid organisation in Kathmandu for sherpas and porters. This footwear should allow top-outfitted mountaineers and trekking enthusiasts to not be supported by sherpas, porters and other workers with poor footwear.

Good footwear is essential in Nepal, particularly after the earth shook and thousands of homes and transportation networks were destroyed.

The image of sherpas and porters in worn-out sneakers or sandals carrying heavy loads into the Himalayas for little money burned itself into the memory of René Urfer years ago. “Because the porters and support crew didn’t usually have appropriate footwear, they often put their own

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“Thanks to generous footwear donations from the Swiss people, Long-term and we have been able to ship sustainable aid high-quality outdoor footwear from many brands to Kathmandu, thus covering a huge need”, says Dani Jacot, Globotrek product manager, satisfied. The aid of the three Swiss project partner is not however limited to the delivery of footwear. With an annually recurring financial donation that was augmented after the earthquake, the three Swiss project partners ensure long-term and sustainable development of the KEEP Nepalese project to help people help themselves.

LOWA, Globotrek and Transa also want to support the reconstruction of the country and shepherd the way “back to normalcy” in Kathmandu. “We as representatives for the many thousands of those traveling to Nepal from Switzerland would like to take on a little bit of accountability vis-à-vis our partners in the Himalayan nation, as well as offer help and to help ourselves so the important economic Himalayan tourist business picks up more steam again.

For many Nepalese, this is the economic foundation of their livelihood. Too, thanks to our engagement, the international porter organisation IPPG (International Porter Protection Group) should be able to increasingly meet its target gear standards in the future for the protection of porters in Himalaya”, adds René Urfer.

The 360° LOWA App earned a gold medal in the category “Enterprise” at the “Best of Swiss Apps” Awards, achieving a top placement among 203 entries. All total, seven different apps split among them 12 different gold awards – with the LOWA 360° App right there.

The app unifies both on- and offline retail utilising innovative methods.

This is the second top award earned by the app in its debut year

At the awards gala, the judges in particular praised how LOWA not only was reacting to fundamental changes, but also was creating added value for customers and retailers using new avenues: “In order to deal with the fundamental transformation in the speciality retail industry, footwear brand LOWA changed its strategy and made the customer experience the focal point of a new business model with the ‘360° App’: With this app and the corresponding business processes and services, every retailer has the ability to offer the full product range. The jury was impressed by the resulting increase in turnover and the optimised processes.” LOWA is proud of this honour. René Urfer, CEO of LOWA Switzerland, where the concept was developed, noted: “I’m thrilled that the application not only was greeted positively by consumers and retailers, but also that the independent jury recognised the added value for consumers and retailers.”

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GOLD FOR THE 360° LOWA APP

after winning the “Mobile Best Practice” award in 2015 from HSG. The app was developed in partnership with JLS Digital and Swisscom.

Fundamental consumer behaviour has significantly changed with more frequent use of smartphones, increasing the pressure on brick-and-mortar sports and footwear speciality retail. Using the 360° App, LOWA moves the consumer experience directly to the forefront and strengthens the retailer’s position in a slick combination of both on- and offline retailing. The 360° LOWA App assists customer consultation at POS, recommends the appropriate footwear, and enables the retailer to access the total available inventory at a glance at any time using premium logistics. If a shoe for example is only on hand in brown, an order can be placed directly at the central warehouse for the preferred colour, for example, red. The customer can choose to have the shoes delivered by the next morning either to his or her home or at the store. The 360° App can be used at the store either as a built-in consultation area or as a mobile station.

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LOWA Footscan 360°

NEXT GENERATION READY TO GO LOWA Footscan is a success story. Year after year, Footscan retail promotions are booked out. No wonder. On the one hand, with this tool, LOWA speciality retail partners can emphasis a long-lasting speciality and consulting expertise with their customers. On the other hand, LOWA Footscan promotions at POS provide a perceptible increase in turnover with long-term effects.

As of spring 2016, the next generation of the LOWA Footscanner will be ready to go.

Digital signage experts at Stuttgart, Germany-based Netvico GmbH have developed new software for the foot measurement stations. This upgrade will further pump up the performance of these mobile units with a consultation station. This award-winning software will take over the control and management of the multi-media contents for a whole range of connected digital media systems. This complete, web-based solution's operation is simple and intuitive, and it is compatible with many current IT Infrastructures. This allows the LOWA Footscan 360° to be operated easily and quickly on-site on the retail floor by speciality retailers. Prior to events, LOWA products carried by each individual retailer are input into the databank. Using a mobile device, the available inventory of a retailer is registered over a mobile phone.

On the day of the event, the LOWA Footscan 360° is itself the centre of attention. Customers slip on special socks for measuring their feet. Then they stand on the scanning surface. The system then computes foot length, width, metatarsal girth, and shoe size.

Results appear as a 3D model directly on the pivoting 22" touchscreen.

Next, the customer receives a comprehensive consultation. At the

digital consultation station, the retailer’s employee or LOWA representative calls up on the monitor the customer’s data from the event’s databank. The system then shows a selection of LOWA footwear models that are suitable for the foot measured. The system also links LOWA’s standard fit models with the 3D results. The customer nearly slips on the shoes virtually. A 360° view points out potential problem areas and displays graphically differences in the fits.

If appropriate footwear is found, the customer can try it on and purchase it straight out.

In addition, the footwear is associated with the customer using a mobile device. The foot measurements and the associated customer data are stored in an event databank for further consultation and any after-sales service. Thus, the retailer can also get in contact with the customer after a sale. Furthermore, the consultation station is also used to show information all about LOWA. Additionally, an interface enables direct access to the LOWA website. Even keeping the little ones entertained is taken care of. On the 22" touchscreen of the consultation station, kids can navigate around a digital outdoor handbook.

Retailers interested in scheduling a Footscan appointment in their store can be in contact with their sales representative.

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OF ADVENTURE Even if he isn’t as well known as some of the extreme alpinists on the LOWA PRO Team, about every mountain enthusiast has at some point seen his photographic work – even without knowing it. The Swiss is the photographer-of-choice for numerous outdoor brands. Certainly one of his most recognised career highlights is his report about the ascent of the Eiger’s north face using historical gear. The adventure was subsequently transformed into a real page-turner of a book as well as a made-for-TV movie.

researchers Fridtjof Nansen and Hjalmar Johansen. Ulrich and Ousland started at the North Pole with the ambitious goal of reaching Francis Joseph’s Land. Like their role models, the two took a small sailboat for their return trip to Norway. Even though the modern version of this mammoth tour didn’t require an involuntary overwintering, the 1,500 kilometres over 113 days of forward motion were still an unbelievable feat.

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guides only rarely, he says. And, when he does, the trips head toward the North Pole, the so-called “Last Degree” Trips, which he offers as a member of the International Polar Guides Association.

Otherwise, he applies his mountaineering knowledge and expertise more as a “means to an end” to be able to take perfect photos and movies. How perfect? That is revealed by the success of his photo agency “Visual Impact” (www.visualimpact.ch), where together with colleagues he sells his photos globally. But even when others are behind the camera, Thomas Ulrich has his hands full! Whether he’s on location for the making of the James Bond movie “Golden Eye” in Switzerland or at the filming in Greenland of “Smilla’s Sense of Snow” – as a safety guide for the crew there is always something to do.

For all of these undertakings in alpine or cold territory, the choice of the perfect gear is a kind of life insurance. This holds true of course when it comes to footwear too. “Lowa was always for me been THE boot company”, Ulrich says. “They fit me well, the quality is superb, and that creates trust that you need in critical situations – what more do you want?” In practical terms, the Swiss subsidiary of the Jetzendorf brand from Upper Bavaria has its tent pitched in Interlaken – basically in Thomas Ulrich’s backyard. So it was just a matter of time until the exceptional alpinist and versatile photographic all-rounder found his way onto the LOWA team. “Since LOWA still manufactures a lot on-site at its Jetzendorf headquarters, special individualised wishes can be met quickly and without complications”, he says in praising the speciality brand. That this fact is essential for such extreme undertakings is of course obvious. Anyone who is interested in LOWA athlete Thomas Ulrich can of course visit his website wich – it couldn’t be any different – has many amazing photos: www.thomasulrich.com. There too can be found numerous expedition reports as well as an exciting look into the professional life of the amiable Swiss alpinist.

Photo: visualimpact.ch | Uli Wiesmeier

Thomas Ulrich wouldn’t however be Thomas Ulrich if he hadn’t come out of it Ulrich stays busy more and more these He is one of the very special with a stupendous photo story despite days by exploring the cold world of the protagonists on the Swiss such a huge ordeal and risks that only Patagonian ice fields and the arctic, team of LOWA athletes: started with the likes of brittle ice and often with Norwegian polar icon Boerge numerous polar bears. And that story too Ousland as his partner. In 2003, the two Professional photographer appeared in the prestigious National were the first to cross the southern and mountain guide Thomas Geographic magazine. One of his most Patagonian ice field without outside Ulrich from Interlaken. important adventures however took support or gear depots, in other words, place in 1999: the first winter ascent of they were totally on their own! Team Ulrich/Ousland needed 54 tough days for the 526 kilometres, which the west face of the Cerro Torre! Touch on this project and even today Thomas Ulrich gets effusive. That was such a perfect adventure, then led to a spectacular article in National Geographic magazine. he says, not only the camaraderie among his colleagues Stephan This was a huge feat during which they successfully combined numerous types of alpine activities. The approach and the final stages Siegrist, David Fasel and Greg Crouch, but also the alpinist feat.

Patagonia even in the summer is not particularly reputed to be a were done in a kayak, which was then transformed into a gear sled for the crossing on skis of the icecap. On the great expanse of the cosy little climbing retreat. In the winter, though, the merciless storms and icy cold make nearly any alpine undertaking impossible. ice plateau, small kites were used to best utilise the omnipresent wind. For steep passages of course Thomas Ulrich’s technical expertise To successfully climb one of the most difficult mountains In these conditions while also taking grand photos during the climbing – as an alpinist was invaluable. that is of course the stamp the Swiss Nikon Ambassador puts on his For the “retro” climb of the Eiger north face in 2002, Thomas Ulrich extreme adventures. In addition, Ulrich notes that this story was his skilfully led us into the past following the steps of Anderl Heckmaier. break-through. National Geographic magazine used a thick 20-page Five years later, yet another historically inspired master performance section for the then-newcomer – no wonder with photos like these!

With all of these adventures, the question naturally arises whether of the tried-and-true team came together with Boerge Ousland. This time, the two followed in the tracks of the famous Norwegian Polar Thomas Ulrich is more mountain guide or photographer. In fact, he

Photo: visualimpact.ch | Børge Ousland

Photo: visualimpact.ch | Thomas Ulrich

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IMPRINT Publisher: LOWA Sportschuhe GmbH, Hauptstr. 19, 85305 Jetzendorf www.lowa.de Editing: Michael Frank (responsible), Rainer Bommas, Nora Kammerl, Mareike Maier

Layout and Prepress: ADVERMA GmbH, Lilienthalstr. 17, 85296 Rohrbach www.adverma.de Print: Druckhaus Fritz König GmbH, Stahlgruberring 24, 81829 München

Photography: Hermann Dörre, Børge Ousland, Kerstin Rysuvy, Thomas Ulrich, Uli Wiesmeier, ©DavidArts / fotolia.com, Archiv LOWA