SKS

What do curtain poles and air pumps have in common? At SKS, a whole quantity. The history of the company began in 1921 with the manufacture of curtain poles. The initiator was Karl Scheffer-Klute from Sunderland. Later, his son-in-law Wilhelm Blome joins the company and takes over the management. In 1932, Blome buys the local air pump factory and starts manufacturing metal pumps: the start of the SKS success story. He builds a production building at the Hubertushalle and the first successful model goes into series production a short time later.

The decisive breakthrough came in the 1950s: The company manufactures air pumps made of plastic. At the same time, Wilhelm Blome junior also joins the family business. And the joy of invention continues. Who doesn't know the legendary Eddy Merckx? He is still a household name for cycling enthusiasts today. At the end of the 1960s, Europe experienced a real cycling boom thanks to his successes. The plant manager and chief developer at SKS - Walter Scheffer - sits down at his drawing board and designs the cult product among air pumps, the father of all floor pumps: the racing compressor is born. The classic is still available to buy today, with a light modification.

In the 1970s, Didi Thurau and Gregor Braun triggered the first German cycling boom. Thurau thrilled millions in front of their screens in yellow and Gregor Braun was named Sportsman of the Year in 1976. Racing bikes are more in demand than ever and SKS supplies the first racing bike frame pumps. At the beginning of the 1990s, SKS is finally the market leader in bicycle original equipment. The German company delivers to up to 90 countries worldwide and is still one of the leading manufacturers of quality accessories in the international cycling industry. Today, Willo Blome (the fourth generation) runs the company together with his business partner Michael Beste.