Sustainability
From shoe bag to inflatable boats world market leader
Anniversary - 50 years Grabner
Since 1975, the Grabner company has developed from a simple sewing manufacturer for sporting goods accessories to the world market leader for sustainable inflatable boats. Continuous innovation, close cooperation with specialists and a strong commitment to sustainability have played a key role in the company's success over the past five decades.
The early years - rapid growth with sewing articles
A company that has existed for half a century is no longer a matter of course. A look back shows that Grabner has also had its ups and downs.
After his apprenticeship and years of practical experience, Wolfgang Grabner started producing sewn sporting goods accessories in 1975. Until the company's own premises were built in 1979, the company was based at various locations in Haag. In addition to ski and outdoor accessories such as ski bags, bags, rucksacks and water sports products, Grabner soon focussed on the manufacture of life jackets.
By working closely with world-class water sports athletes, Grabner quickly built up an international reputation and became known as the "most successful sports life jacket brand in the world". State champions, European champions and world champions in paddling, surfing, sailing and motorboat racing have all used Grabner products. Many things that are state of the art today were invented at Grabner back then.
Between 1980 and 1985, the company focussed on the booming windsurfing market. Surf harnesses and surf life jackets were in particularly high demand. However, the slump in this sector combined with high customer defaults posed a major challenge in the mid-1980s.
A new chapter - SEMPERIT boats
In 1986, the acquisition of the Austrian inflatable boat factory Semperit in Kirchberg ob der Donau marked the company's entry into boat production.
This factory made it possible to manufacture durable, environmentally friendly boats from renewable rubber.
Thanks to its market leadership in life jackets, Grabner had a good reputation and trust, so the decision was made to use the GRABNER brand for inflatable boats from then on.
And so the SEMPERIT boats became GRABNER boats.
Re-orientation - water hiking, white water, sailing
In the 1980s, mainly smaller and larger motorboats were produced alongside paddleboats. The entire intellectual capacity was focussed on ever better and faster motorboats. People were already beginning to think about environmental protection and the climate at this time.
By chance, Wolfgang Grabner heard about a study on leisure behaviour after the year 2000, i.e. 20 years in the future. In short, he realised that there would be a trend towards environmentally friendly activities and sustainable products. This was the starting signal for a major development offensive.
The new OUTSIDE model became a global hit. Rafting emerged and became a boom. The sailing catamaran developed by Eduard Heuzonter for SEMPERIT was decisively further developed and became a bestseller. Other innovative travel boats for paddling, white water rafting and small boats for electric propulsion followed. These included the ADVENTURE canoe, which is still very popular today.
METZELER production plant, BIG PACK models, Continental material
In 1989, Grabner took over the modern rubber boat production facilities of METZELER from Germany, its largest competitor up to that point. From then on, Metzeler produced the rubber boat skin for Grabner. When Metzeler was taken over by Pirelli, the boat skin manufacturer was switched to Continental in Germany.
In 1998 Grabner took over the boat programme of the German manufacturer BIG PACK. From then on, their models were produced by Grabner. At the same time, the demand for expedition and rafting boats grew.
Worldwide sale
Sales were greatly expanded and turnover developed rapidly. Dealer training and service courses were held annually at the boat factory. The dealers were given an insight into hot vulcanisation technology and learned why this makes the seams stable and the boat skin particularly hard-wearing. The highlight was boat tests on lakes, rivers and in white water. As a result, the dealer network grew and Grabner boats were exported to over 60 countries on all continents.
The Internet also became increasingly important. The first worldwide Grabner online shop was launched in 2002 in two languages - a step ahead of its time.
The "Boat World" in Haag: Experience instead of just looking at it
Buying a boat is often more complicated than buying a car, which is why Grabner opened the "Boat World" in Haag in 2000. Visitors can view the entire product range over 1000 square metres.
To further improve customer service, the company built a 1000 square metre boat test lake directly on the company premises in Haag in 2013. During opening hours, interested parties can test all models with the whole family, children and dogs every day.
Successful and "award-winning" innovations
In addition to boats, accessories have also been continuously improved. Particularly noteworthy is the SWIMY buoyancy aid, which makes swimming easier for children in a playful way. From 2005, Grabner increasingly focussed on the inflatable sailing catamaran HAPPY CAT. The previously used heavy wooden frame was replaced by lightweight aluminium profiles. In cooperation with the Vienna Shipbuilding Research Institute, the hull shape was optimised in towing tank tests. This resulted in the EVOLUTION and HURRICANE models, which set new standards for inflatable sailing catamarans.
In the following years, Grabner launched further innovations on the market, including the HYPE whitewater short kayak, the particularly light and stable TRAMPER and the RIVERSTAR, the flagship of the Grabner kayak fleet, which is still in great demand today.
There were significant changes in the motorboat sector. Due to stricter navigation regulations, there has been a trend away from heavy petrol engines towards lightweight, environmentally friendly electric motors. This led to the introduction of the MUSTANG motorboat models in 2018, which were specially designed for electric motors with a particularly stable and efficient design.
Grabner products have received multiple awards for innovation and environmental friendliness at international nominations in Europe and the USA.
Meeting of sailors and boat owners
The first international HAPPY CAT sailors' meeting took place on Lake Traunsee in 2013. This event quickly developed into a highlight for HAPPY CAT sailors. Around 70 catamarans from all over Europe take part in the meeting every year.
This was followed in 2015 by the first Grabner boat owners' meeting on Lake Traunsee, where around 80 Grabner boats paddled together on Lake Traunsee and the River Traun. These meetings now take place alternately every other year in Ebensee on Lake Traunsee and are very popular.
World first for the anniversary: First "full carbon" sailing catamaran
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the company is presenting an absolute world first: the HAPPY CAT STAR CARBON, the first series-produced, small-packable inflatable sailing catamaran made entirely of carbon fibre. It is particularly light and easy to transport and offers fantastic sailing characteristics.
A company lives through its customers and employees
Grabner looks back on 50 years with great gratitude. Thousands of customers worldwide have relied on Grabner products for their leisure activities and expeditions, and their feedback has contributed to the continuous improvement of the boats. This trust forms the foundation of the company's many years of existence - for which the company would like to express its sincere thanks.
Another key factor in the company's success is the loyalty and commitment of its employees. Many of them have been part of the company for decades, have built up extensive expertise and contribute to the high quality of the products with their experience. It has been shown that many ambitious competitors have entered the market but left it again after a few years. This confirms the importance of a down-to-earth approach and realistic company management. Ultimately, it is the people behind the products who make first-class quality and outstanding customer service possible.
Future with tradition, innovation and quality
Ewald Grabner has been continuing the family tradition since 2020. The product range includes a wide range of boats and accessories, while the company remains true to its values: producing high-quality, sustainable and durable leisure boats. With regional added value - from the rubber boat skin from Germany to production in Austria - Grabner ensures that quality and sustainability always come first.
With five decades of expertise, the company is doing everything in its power to remain the global market leader for sustainable inflatable boats in the future.
