Only those who know their origins can successfully master the future. We can proudly say that uvex is one of the major brands in Germany, and even the world, that has helped to write industrial history.
It was a long way from the modest beginnings in a suburb of Fürth to the international group of companies. Difficult phases, war years, economic depressions, but also dynamic years of reconstruction and very successful periods characterize our company history.
The frequently quoted motto “think global - act local” was already a guideline and program for our traditional company when buzzwords such as “globalization” or “global player” were still foreign words for many.
1926 – 1956
The beginnings
Philipp M. Winter, born on May 3, 1898 in Furth im Wald, attended grammar school in Fürth, Bavaria. After the First World War, he begins his professional career as an export salesman with a focus on Spain and Portugal.
After setting up a small company in Barcelona, he returns to Fürth, Bavaria, and founds the “Optische-Industrie-Anstalt Philipp M. Winter” with a manual production facility in Fürth/Poppenreuth.
uvex products at Olympia
Philipp M. Winter equipped various athletes with protective goggles at the 1936 Olympic Games.
After difficult years of development, the buildings became too small and the big move to the long-standing headquarters in Fürth Salzstraße was made possible.
The uvex brand is born
A consumer product needs a concise brand and brand management!
Rainer Winter develops the “uvex” brand - the short form of the quality attribute “UltraViolet EXcluded”. From now on, all sports and leisure products are marketed under the uvex brand.
Many top athletes rely on the uvex brand
3rd generation
Gabriele Grau, daughter of Rainer Winter, joins her father's company in 1981. Two generations are now active there.
3rd generation
Michael Winter, son of Rainer Winter, joins the company in 1987 as Junior Product Manager Motorsport of the uvex sports group.
In 1995, he took over the management of uvex sports in the motorcycle/cycling division.
Subsidiary brands: Diversity under one roof
Brand Filtral
Since 1967, the uvex group has been offering fashionable sunglasses for retailers under the Filtral brand.
ALPINA
In 1980, the subsidiary Alpina was founded in Derching.
Profas GmbH
Profas GmbH was founded in 1986 - today uvex safety gloves.
Laservision
Joint venture with laservision, 100% subsidiary of the uvex safety group since 2004. Successful worldwide with innovative laser safety eyewear.
1999 – today
Managing Partner
After 12 years at uvex sports, Michael Winter becomes Managing Partner of uvex Winter Holding.
He has overall responsibility for € 360 million turnover and 2200 employees worldwide.
Heckel acquisition
In 2001, uvex takes over the product specialist for industrial safety footwear “Heckel”, which is still managed as an independent brand today.
uvex academy
Founding of the uvex academy, the first private-sector training institution in the field of occupational safety and personal protective equipment (PPE).
New equestrian product group
uvex sports launches the new equestrian product group. Athletes like Ingrid Klimke and Isabell Werth are now wearing uvex.
Brand of the Century
uvex receives the “Brand of the Century” award for its intensive and consistent brand management of the ski goggles product.
It's raining medals in Sochi
The most successful Olympic Games in Sochi for uvex. 62 medals, 450 athletes at the start such as Felix Neureuther, Marlies Schild, Felix Loch and Anna Schaffelhuber for Alpina.
A round birthday for the uvex group
For 90 years, the family-run company from Fürth has stood for innovations that reliably protect people at work, during sport and in their leisure time, true to the company motto of protecting people.
Investment in HexArmor
The uvex safety group acquires a stake in the US company HexArmor®. This strategic investment marks uvex's return to the American market with occupational safety products after more than 20 years.
Olympic Games in Pyeongchang
3 ski helmets and goggles, specially developed for and worn by the crème de la crème of alpine ski racing at the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang. 277 international uvex athletes will be competing at the 23rd Winter Olympics, winning 11 gold, 10 silver and 12 bronze medals.
Rainer Winter Foundation
Founded in 1980, the Rainer Winter Foundation based in Fürth is celebrating its 40th anniversary today.
Rainer-Winter-Weg
In honor of Rainer Winter's 85th birthday, the city of Fürth is dedicating a street to him, the "Rainer-Winter-Weg".
Majority acquisition of HexArmor®
The uvex group acquires a majority stake in the US company HexArmor®.
Founding of Protecting People GmbH
Protecting People GmbH is founded as the fourth subgroup, which is responsible for the uvex group B2C brand store as a sales company.
Start of construction of the uvex group in Rednitzhembach
With a symbolic ground-breaking ceremony on September 27, 2021, the uvex group gave the starting signal for the new construction of the modern and sustainably planned new logistics and service center in Rednitzhembach.
30 years Filtral
Filtral's success story began exactly 30 years ago. With your products and services, you have not only conquered a wide variety of markets in recent years, but also continue to lead the way when it comes to quality, innovation or, currently, sustainability.
uvex brand store launch
The launch of the B2C store for private end customers marks another major step in the uvex group's development of digital business models.
uvex and the DSV celebrate 50 years of partnership
uvex has been equipping athletes from the German Ski Association with innovative helmets and goggles for 51 years. Whether junior or world elite - all athletes from the disciplines of alpine skiing, ski jumping, ski cross and Nordic combined rely on innovative uvex ski helmets and goggles on the slopes and ski jumps of this world.
Building inauguration Neukirchen
uvex sports Austria and ALPINA Austria have been united at one location through the conversion of the building in Neukirchen (Austria). In addition to modernization, the focus of the conversion was also on sustainability.
Founding of the UD2C group
Protecting People GmbH and Factor26 GmbH will be united under the umbrella of the uvex Direct-2-Consumer (UD2C) group in the future. With this reorganization, the uvex group is bundling its strengths in the digital D2C business - so that the existing resources and expertise can be used in an even more targeted manner to position the group and its brands for the future.
Exclusive collection for uvex athletes at the 2022 Olympics
An exclusive pro collection - consisting of 5 products - was created for 144 international uvex athletes.A total of 45 medals - 17 gold, 17 silver and 11 bronze medals - were won by uvex athletes at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.
uvex group outlet
The uvex group outlet for employees and customers is opened. The brands uvex, ALPINA, Hiplok and Filtral are offered.
Change of managing directors
Patrick Hebling and Patrick Angeletti are the new dual leadership of the uvex sports group.
Retirement
Stefan Wehner retires and ends his professional career at the uvex safety group.
Rainer Winter
The visionary and family entrepreneur passed away on 12.01.2025 at the age of 89. With a strong entrepreneurial spirit and enormous energy, Rainer Winter successfully drove the company and the uvex brand forward for over 60 years.