Corporate Spotlight: SKS Germany

April 1, 2015

This post is part of a series spotlighting Adventure Cycling's Corporate Members. These companies support our mission and programs and do some cool stuff of their own. For this post, Corporate Member SKS Germany shares with us a bit about their company and why they support Adventure Cycling Association.

The history of SKS began in 1921 when founder Wilhelm Blome began a production company in Sundern Germany.  Now four generations later, SKS is owned by the same family and proudly produces most of our products in the small village of Sundern.  SKS is committed to German production, not because it’s cheaper, but because it’s better.  The SKS factory is very environmentally conscious and family friendly with over 300 employees.  Many of the staff from this rural region in Germany are life-long employees committed to quality, proud of the brand and a part of the SKS family.

In 1932, SKS began manufacturing metal bicycle frame pumps, and in 1956 switched some pumps to the “NEW” raw material, plastic.  In the late 1960’s, Europe experienced a cycling boom, and SKS developed the very first bicycle floor pump, the Rennkompressor, still an extremely popular pump today.  In 1983, SKS purchased the British fender brand “Bluemel” and began production of traditional bicycle fenders. In the 1980’s, SKS patented the first quick-release fender, the X-tra Dry. 

SKS continues to innovate products across all of our lines: fenders, pumps, bags, tools, chainguards, and bottle cages. Products are developed at SKS’ in-house research and development department (staffed by their own expert German engineers). Our passion for cycling and our commitment to people and quality products has led to growing success, innovative products, happy consumers and many industry awards. 

The staff of SKS USA in Olney, IL includes several avid cyclists. When you call the U.S. office, a real person will answer the phone. SKS prides themselves with excellent customer service from a staff of rural, Midwestern cyclists. SKS is excited and proud to partner with Adventure Cycling Association in 2015, and love what Adventure Cycling does for the bicycle travel community. 

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MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS is posted every other Wednesday by the membership team — Julie, Josh, and Brian — spotlighting the various benefits of membership, our accomplishments thanks to member support, and interviews with some of our most passionate and dedicated members, both individual and organizational.