Ruqayyah Snyder
Nordica is an Italian manufacturing company of winter sports products, specialising in skiing equipment. The company was founded in 1939 by brothers Adriano and Oddone Vaccari in Montebelluna, Italy, and initially made casual footwear. In the post-war years, Nordica focused on ski boots, and the company has since expanded its product range to include skis, poles, and accessories such as sportswear, gloves, and bags. In 2002, the Tecnica Group acquired Nordica and moved its ski production to Mittersill, Austria, in 2006. The Tecnica Group Ski Competence Center in Mittersill is the main production facility for Nordica and Blizzard skis and has produced a majority of top-selling skis in the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Mittersill, Austria |
| Factory | Tecnica Group Ski Competence Center |
| Employees | 300 |
| Production | 930 skis per day |
| Power Source | Green energy, mainly hydropower |
| Notable Models | Enforcer 104, Enforcer 100, Black Pearl 88, Enforcer 93, Black Pearl 98 |
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What You'll Learn
- Nordica skis are made in the Austrian town of Mittersill
- The Tecnica Group Ski Competence Center is the main production facility
- The factory produces 230,000 sandwich construction skis per year
- The company was founded in Italy in 1939 by Adriano and Oddone Vaccari
- The factory runs on green energy, including hydropower and solar panels
Nordica skis are made in the Austrian town of Mittersill
The factory in Mittersill is a well-oiled machine, operating 24 hours a day, 6 days a week. The employees, all of whom are skiers, take enormous pride in their work and the products they help bring to life. The passion and expertise of the local staff, many of whom have been longtime employees, are key to the success of the skis produced here. Mittersill is also an ideal location for ski research and development, as prototypes can be quickly tested and adjusted within a short timeframe and with very little travel.
The Tecnica Group purchased Blizzard and the Mittersill factory in 2006 and moved the production of Nordica skis to the site. The company implemented a business plan that reinvigorated the factory and built a foundation for a newfound level of community pride in the town. The ski presses are the most important tool in the factory, and rather than upgrading them every few years, the company invests in improving the existing ones. The factory also runs on green energy, mainly hydropower, and has solar panels installed on the roof.
The process of making Nordica skis involves many ingredients that require a lot of preparation. After the skis are pressed and finished, employees use digital sensors to ensure that flexes at critical points match on each board to make a pair. The skis are then subjected to extreme temperatures to test their durability. Nordica skis rarely have warranty issues, as the company ensures that each ski can survive being shipped overseas and can withstand extreme temperatures.
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The Tecnica Group Ski Competence Center is the main production facility
The Tecnica Group Ski Competence Center in Mittersill, Austria, is the main production facility for Nordica and Blizzard skis. It is the biggest employer in the town, producing some of the best-selling skis in the United States. The factory operates 24 hours a day, six days a week, and its employees are passionate skiers who take great pride in their work.
The Tecnica Group Ski Competence Center has been responsible for producing a majority of SKI Magazine's top-scoring all-mountain skis over the past decade. The Blizzard Black Pearl 88 and the Nordica Enforcer 100 were the two top-selling skis in the U.S. in 2019. Since 2012, Nordica and Blizzard have produced 29 SKI Magazine Best in Test models. In 2019, they were recognised as the best skis in seven out of eight categories at SKI Test.
The Tecnica Group invests heavily in the development of its employees and the factory. They invest a minimum of one million euros every year, focusing on the development of their employees and the maintenance and improvement of their equipment. The factory's General Manager, Helmut Exenberger, and Director of Ski Operations, Roland Stemper, have been instrumental in this process. Their first investments were in ski finishing equipment, ensuring that the skis are of the highest quality before they leave the factory.
The Tecnica Group Ski Competence Center has become a sought-after production facility for other ski brands. Black Diamond, for example, moved its production to Mittersill after experiencing issues in China. The factory's ability to implement stable processes for unique ideas has attracted other brands to consider relocating their production to Mittersill.
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The factory produces 230,000 sandwich construction skis per year
The Tecnica Group Ski Competence Center in Mittersill, Austria, is the main production facility for Nordica skis. The factory, located in a tiny mountain town, employs 300 people and operates 24 hours a day, 6 days a week. It is capable of pressing 1,000 pairs of skis a day, which amounts to 230,000 skis per year. This makes it one of the world's most renowned ski factories, producing some of the best-performing and best-selling skis of the past decade.
The Tecnica Group, an Italian manufacturing company of winter sports products, acquired Nordica in 2003. Nordica's factory in Mittersill is responsible for producing skis for the Nordica and Blizzard brands. The Blizzard brand has been based in Mittersill for over 75 years, driving innovation in the ski industry.
The Mittersill factory benefits from the local mountain economy, with many longtime employees bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the design and production processes. The location is ideal for ski research and development, as prototypes can be quickly tested within a short drive for most of the year. This enables the factory to develop and test multiple ideas simultaneously, contributing to its high production capacity.
The skis produced in Mittersill are sandwich construction skis, which involve assembling various ingredients and components in harmony before pressing them together. The factory's production process is a well-oiled machine, with passionate and skilled employees who take pride in their work. The commitment to craftsmanship, combined with the factory's capacity and efficient processes, ensures a consistent output of high-quality skis.
In addition to its production capabilities, the Mittersill factory also prioritizes sustainability. It is powered by green energy, mainly hydropower, and has solar panels installed on the roof. The Tecnica Group published its sustainability report in 2022, demonstrating its commitment to environmental initiatives, including the use of recycled materials in ski production.
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The company was founded in Italy in 1939 by Adriano and Oddone Vaccari
In 1939, brothers Adriano and Oddone Vaccari founded Nordica in Montebelluna, Italy. The pair had years of experience as traders in hides and initially made casual footwear. In the post-war years, the company specialised in ski boots, although it continued to supply the market with cross-country ski shoes and climbing boots.
The company's early work was seasonal and the equipment manual. In 1950, Italian skier Zeno Colò gave his name to a Nordica ski boot and a revolutionary lining designed by Colmar. Zeno became a World Champion with Nordica, winning gold medals in both the downhill and giant slalom at the 1950 World Championships in Aspen, Colorado.
In the 1960s, Nordica introduced the 'buckle'—a fastening system conceived in Austria and applied for the first time in Italy by the company. They also introduced the all-polyurethane ski boot, with specific moulds for the right and left foot, and injection presses. In 1966, Nordica launched the first high-speed injection-moulded plastic ski boot. In 1968, the leather upper of the traditional models was plastic-coated externally using polyurethane or PVC, and the cuff was raised.
In 1972, Nordica introduced the yellow Astral Slalom, which became known as the 'Nordica banana'. The company sold 400,000 pairs and established the template for the modern racing ski boot. In 1989, the Benetton Group purchased Nordica for $120 million. By the time of the acquisition, Nordica reported sales of $225 million (1.7 million pairs of boots). In 2003, the Nordica brand was purchased by the Tecnica Group, and the company's current range of products includes skis, boots, poles, and accessories such as sportswear, gloves, and bags.
The Tecnica Group Ski Competence Center in Mittersill, Austria, is the main production facility for Nordica and Blizzard skis. The factory operates 24 hours a day, six days a week, and its 300 employees take enormous pride in their work.
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The factory runs on green energy, including hydropower and solar panels
The Tecnica Group Ski Competence Center in Mittersill, Austria, is the main production facility for Nordica skis. The factory operates 24 hours a day, 6 days a week, and employs 300 local staff, many of whom are skiers themselves. The factory is committed to sustainability and runs on green energy, including hydropower and solar panels.
Hydropower is the primary energy source for the factory, utilizing the kinetic energy of water in motion to generate electricity. The surrounding Austrian landscape, characterized by mountains and rivers, provides an ideal setting for harnessing hydropower. This renewable energy source offers a clean and sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels, reducing the environmental impact of ski production.
In addition to hydropower, the factory has also installed solar panels on its roof. Solar energy harnesses the power of the sun to generate electricity, further contributing to the factory's green initiatives. By leveraging solar panels, the factory can take advantage of Austria's abundant sunlight, particularly in the mountainous regions. This not only reduces the factory's carbon footprint but also aligns with Nordica's commitment to environmental sustainability.
The use of green energy is just one aspect of Nordica's sustainability efforts. The company has implemented a range of initiatives to reduce their environmental impact, including recycled materials for their skis. For example, they use recycled tip inlays, sidewalls, bases, and steel edges. Additionally, they are working to move away from carbon as a material due to its high carbon usage.
By adopting sustainable practices and utilizing green energy sources, the Nordica factory in Mittersill, Austria, sets a precedent for environmentally conscious manufacturing. Their commitment to hydropower and solar energy showcases their dedication to reducing carbon emissions and preserving the natural environment that skiers cherish.
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Frequently asked questions
Nordica skis are made in the town of Mittersill, Austria. The Tecnica Group Ski Competence Center is the main production facility for Nordica and Blizzard skis.
The Mittersill factory is located in a village, which means it benefits directly from the local mountain economy. The staff are local and have a lot of experience and expertise in designing and building skis. The factory is also able to produce 1,000 pairs of skis a day.
Nordica was founded in 1939 by brothers Adriano and Oddone Vaccari in Montebelluna, Italy. The company initially made casual footwear but soon specialized in ski boots. In 2002, the Tecnica Group acquired Nordica and moved its production to Mittersill, Austria.
