A New Direction for Ski Service Machines: First Machines, First ISPO, First Subsidiary
As early as 1968, Johann Wintersteiger developed a simple stone grinding machine for ski production at Fischer Ski, which was used to ground the ski base flat. It would be more than 10 years before the company actually entered the ski service market: It wasn’t until 1978 that WINTERSTEIGER decided to switch from ski production machines to ski service machines. The reason for this was consolidation in the ski production industry: By the end of the 1970s, the number of ski factories worldwide had dropped from 130 to 30—all within just two years: Many small companies in Austria, Switzerland, Finland, and Sweden could no longer keep pace with industrialization.
In 1978, WINTERSTEIGER made the forward-looking decision to begin producing ski service machines and first developed the MPS multipurpose surface grinding machine: 1M—with one abrasive belt, 2M with two abrasive belts, and finally 3M with two belts and a side edge-grinding belt. The MPS 3M was very successful: in 1980, WINTERSTEIGER became the first company to offer a side unit. It was developed by Johann Wintersteiger within just a few weeks for the company’s trade fair exhibit at the ISPO trade show.
In 1983, the company introduced the first stone-and-belt ski service grinding machine: the TSMS-A. This dual-grinding machine featured a grinding stone on one side and a belt on the other.
Next came the GTR 800—the first machine in the new green color! In 1985, the MCR, the best-selling stone grinding machine, and finally, in 1989, the Micro Series: These stone grinding machines were very space-saving and also had a modular design, ranging from the “Single Grinding Stone” module to the snowboard version with a 350 grinding stone and a 350 belt.
The “Branch Office”
In 1981, WINTERSTEIGER established its first subsidiary in Maisach-Gernlinden, Bavaria, Germany. Karl Steinmann served as branch manager, and Gerhard Scholl and Erwin Seiler were the first sales representatives. The subsidiary consisted of an office for seven people and a small storage room with a workshop area.
Before Germany joined the EU, the ski service machines for the German market were produced in Ried, cleared through customs, and delivered to the subsidiary as an intermediate station. From Maisach-Gernlinden, the machines were shipped to sports retailers. In 1987, the subsidiary moved to Jesenwang, where a larger showroom, complete with a warehouse and workshop, was set up. After Germany’s accession to the EU, the machines could be delivered directly to customers—an office, most recently in Buchloe, was therefore sufficient, and the subsidiary was closed.