History
German Quality with traditionThe history of our company began in 1921 when, Karl Scheffer-Klute, from the village of Sundern Germany began manufacturing curtain rods. The company was later taken over by his son-in-law, Wilhelm Blome who acquired a bicycle tyre inflator company in the same village in 1932 and began manufacturing metal pumps. The first model was very successful and Wilhelm quickly began mass production at the restored production site in the Hubertushalle, where the SKS Communication Centre »ORANGE WORLD« is located today. The decisive breakthrough came in the 1950’s when the manufacture of bicycle tyre inflators made of plastic was implemented. In 1959, his son, Wilhelm Blome Jr., joined the family business. The stage was set for further growth in 1983 with beginning production of mudguards. By the 1990’s, SKS was delivering original bicycle parts to 90 countries worldwide as the market leader, and even today, SKS is one of the leading manufacturers of quality accessories for the international competitive cycling segment. Willo Blome, fourth generation of the family, and his business partner Michael Beste have made their mark as CEOs of the company.
Founding of the company by Karl-Scheffer Klute. A few years later his son-in-law Wilhelm Blome took over the business.
Photo: Wilhelm Blome sen.
When the locally-based air pump factory goes bankrupt in 1932, Wilhelm Blome recruits the factory manager and starts up in the manufacture of metal bicycle pumps.
During the war years cap nuts for aircraft were manufactured compulsorily.
Photo top: metal air pump; Photo bottom: the old house 1932
After the war Wilhelm Blome successfully revived pump manufacturing. Soon after, football pumps would also belong to the SKS range.
Photo top: football pump; Photo bottom: the restart
To free the company from dependence on outsourced steel tubes, experiments are initially carried out with aluminum, but the decision is eventually taken to opt for the new raw material, plastic. up in the extended production halls. In 1956, SKS starts manufacture of plastic pumps.
Photo top: plastic pump; Photo bottom: production hall in the 50s.
At the end of the 60s, Europe experienced a cycling boom following the successes of Eddy Merckx.
Operations Manager and Chief Developer Walter Scheffer comes up with the cult product of cycle pumps – the »father« of all floor pumps.
Photo: The Rennkompressor
In the seventies, Didi Thurau and Gregor Braun trigger the first German cycle sporting boom. Wearing the yellow jersey, Thurau enthuses millions on television and in 1976, Gregor Braun is voted sportsman of the year.
Racing bikes are in demand – and SKS supplies the first racing-bike framefitting pumps. The Rennstar and SuperCorsa are well-known amongst seventies racing cyclists.
Photo top: SuperCorsa; Photo bottom: Gregor Braun
In the eighties and nineties, original equipment manufacturing – the supply of pumps to cycle factories – determines the orientation of the company.
SKS become a market leader and volume supplier of OEM air pumps, supplying ninety countries worldwide. As many as 50.000 pumps roll off the production line in the fully-automated Sundern plant every day.
By taking over the traditional British brand Bluemels in 1983, the entrance into the mudguard segment was made. In 1988 large-scale production of extruded mudguards began. Later on, after taking over the ESGE-production, these became –known as Chromoplastics- a worldwide reference for mudguards.
With the development of the first quick-release dirtboard-sets for mountain bikes (Shockboard and X-Tra Dry) in 1999, SKS became pioneer and market leader in this fast growing segment for accessories.
Photo: SKS Shockboard
In 2003, the production of compact bike tools was introduced as an additional product division for the aftermarket.
From 2009 innovative saddle bags broaden the SKS Portfolio.
Photo top: SKS bike tools; Photo bottom: SKS saddle bags
Start of dealers direct in Germany
Photo: SKS Germany Headquarter
Start of dealers direct in Austria
Completion of the new communications centre »ORANGE WORLD«
The SKS Diago mini pump was granted the reddot Design Award in 2011.
Photo top: SKS Germany ORANGE WORLD; Photo bottom: mini pump DIAGO
In addition to the coveted iF product design award, the new SKS hose pump SPAERO has also received the distinguished TAIPEI CYCLE d&i award 2012. In both competitions, the new hose pump was able to win through against a variety of other submissions and convinced the juries as a new development from SKS.
Photo: SKS hose pump SPAERO
Start of dealers direct in Netherland.