the company

Press release
October 2011
Background information on the company
Roeckl - the company
"Gloves can do more than just provide warmth - they can spark a fire," says Roeckl Managing Director Annette Roeckl. No
other item of clothing makes such a powerful statement and is so complex to manufacture as a glove. In the past gloves
were often regarded as symbols of power, being worn by kings, emperors, tsars and popes. Today, gloves stand for luxury
and a distinctive lifestyle. They embody a love of detail and act as a styling and fashion accessory, highlighting the personal
style of the wearer.
Since its foundation in 1839, the family enterprise Roeckl has consistently cultivated the art of glovemaking at the highest
level and is regarded internationally as being synonymous with the very finest craftsmanship: the models are assembled from
as many as 24 individual parts, some requiring over 2,000 hand stitches. A Roeckl glove fits like a second skin, providing
complete freedom of movement, fingertip sensitivity and optimum protection from the cold.
This craft tradition began six generations ago in Munich when Jakob Roeckl opened a small craft establishment and shop in
1839. A dedicated tannery and dyeworks were added later. In 1870 his son Christian built a large factory facility for 1,000
staff at what was then the southern periphery of the city of Munich. These entrepreneurial efforts were soon to bear fruit: in
1873 Roeckl was awarded the much sought-after title "Supplier to the Royal Court of Bavaria". The most famous customers
during this era include Bavaria's Kind Ludwig II and the Austrian Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria, better known by her
nickname Sissi.
After his father died in an accident at an early age in 1890, son Heinrich took over the company aged 24 and continued to
pursue the course set by his father with great success. Dr. Heinrich Franz Roeckl took charge of business operations in 1948
and rebuilt the company after the Second World War. His son Stefan took over in 1966, representing the family's fifth
generation. He revolutionized the area of sports gloves, thereby laying the foundation for world market leadership in the
field of riding and cycling. He also pursued a policy of stringent diversification in new product areas: Roeckl knitwear
accessories went on the market in the 1980s, and a high-quality range of foulards was added at the turn of the century. In
2003 it was the turn of the sixth generation to take over the company. Annette Roeckl is the first woman in this long family
tradition to take on full responsibility for the company as managing partner, just like her ancestors before her. Her vision is
to consistently combine the traditional and the modern. The result is a range of much-loved articles characterised by a
perfect fit, consummate workmanship and suppleness as well as a sophisticated, timeless design.
Annette Roeckl's philosophy reflects the passion behind the products: "Tradition is not about worshipping the ashes - it's
about carrying forward the glowing embers." As a European market leader, the successful company seeks to maintain and
extend its position on an ongoing basis. In order to do this, Annette Roeckl pursues a policy of internationalization and
expansion of the product portfolio. The last addition was Roeckl's own line of bags which perfectly complements the
company's product range. Roeckl is thus a driving force in the world of accessories - every day, all over the world.
Roeckl Handschuhe & Accessoires GmbH & Co. KG · Isartalstraße 49 · Am Roecklplatz · 80469 München · Germany
Katharina Naehr · Tel: +49 89 72969-26 · Fax: 49 89 72969-87 · E-Mail: [email protected] · www.roeckl.com
Roeckl still has its headquarters in Munich and employs some 300 staff in Germany and the rest of Europe. As the European
market leader, Roeckl seeks to maintain and extend its position on an ongoing basis. In order to achieve this, Annette
Roeckl pursues a policy of internationalization and maintains an extensive product portfolio consisting of leather gloves, silk
foulards and scarves as well as knitwear accessories and the company's own line of bags. With international sales partners
and 23 of its own stores and shop-in-shop spaces, the company is growing continuously, currently generating annual sales
of some 24 million euros.
Roeckl Handschuhe & Accessoires GmbH & Co. KG · Isartalstraße 49 · Am Roecklplatz · 80469 München · Germany
Katharina Naehr · Tel: +49 89 72969-26 · Fax: 49 89 72969-87 · E-Mail: [email protected] · www.roeckl.com
Chronology
1839
Jacob Roeckl opens a small trade establishment in Munich, laying the foundation for the family enterprise.
1870
Christian Roeckl builds a large factory facility for 1,000 staff at what was then the southern periphery of the city of Munich,
also establishing his Roeckl branch network.
1873
Roeckl is awarded the much sought-after title "Supplier to the Royal Court of Bavaria".
1890
Heinrich Roeckl pushes ahead with national and international expansion and extends the company to the USA.
1948
After the Second World War, Dr. Heinrich Franz Roeckl rebuilds the destroyed leather and glove production facilities and reestablishes the branch network
1970
Stefan Roeckl takes over the company and sets milestones with new product developments and patents
1972
The classic range is expanded with the addition of innovative sports gloves and knitwear accessories
2000
High-quality silk foulards are added to the collection
2003
Annette Roeckl is the first woman in the company's history to take over management and consolidates the company's
position as market leader
2009
The company introduces its own bag collection to complete the product portfolio
Facts and figures
Owner family
The Roeckl family
Founder
Jacob Roeckl (1808-1874)
Family influence
Owner-managed in the family's sixth generation by Annette Roeckl as managing partner
Family share in the company
100%
Market position of the company
European market leader
Roeckl Handschuhe & Accessoires GmbH & Co. KG · Isartalstraße 49 · Am Roecklplatz · 80469 München · Germany
Katharina Naehr · Tel: +49 89 72969-26 · Fax: 49 89 72969-87 · E-Mail: [email protected] · www.roeckl.com
Sector
Leather goods and textiles
Products
High-quality leather gloves, leather bags and accessories
Sales
Worldwide through sales partners and Roeckl's own stores
Location
Headquarters in Munich
Staff
Some 300 staff worldwide (as of 2011)
Roeckl Handschuhe & Accessoires GmbH & Co. KG · Isartalstraße 49 · Am Roecklplatz · 80469 München · Germany
Katharina Naehr · Tel: +49 89 72969-26 · Fax: 49 89 72969-87 · E-Mail: [email protected] · www.roeckl.com