History

History

  • 1965 Theo SOMMER founds the company with three employees in Munich.
  • 1966 The development of the patented, thermoplastic saddle tree made of synthetic material causes a revolution. It has found imitators all over the world.
  • 1970 A new production plant is erected in Pirmasens and the company leaves Munich.
  • 1971 A second production plant is erected for accessories and an economically priced range of saddles.
  • 1973 A new dressage saddle is developed in co-operation with Egon v. Neindorff.
  • 1974 Sommer provides the equipment for the Olympic champion Josef Neckermann.
  • 1975 Three people are employed as external sales force.
  • 1976 Sommer is awarded the "Staatspreis" of Germany for outstanding achievements.
  • 1977 A trail ride across the USA that last 6,000 kilometers makes Sommer saddles famous all over the world.
  • 1980 Extension of the company facilities in Pirmasens.
  • 1982 Member of the Bundesverband der Deutschen Sportartikelindustrie (BSI = the German federal sports-equipment trade association)
  • 1985 Efforts to increase the international market share.
  • 1990 Alexander René SOMMER wins the regional and the statewide saddle-craft contest.
  • 1991 SOMMER provides the equipment for the French national team.
  • 1993 A new mix of materials makes SOMMER saddles continuously adjustable.
  • 1994 Alexander René Sommer passes the exam for master craftsmen in the field of saddles in Bavaria.
  • 1995 The founder of the company, Theo Sommer, hands the company over to his son Alexander Renße Sommer.
  • 1995 Development of a specail saddle for trail rides ("Evolution").
  • 1996 "Staatspreis" fo Germany for arts and crafts.
  • 1998 Building a distribution network in the USA.
  • 2000 The facilities in Pirmasens are extended.
  • 2001 A new´saddle panel in sandwich construction is develped.
  • 2007 Serial production of the new leisure saddle "Spirit" starts.
  • 2009 Custom-made saddles are added to the product range.
  • 2010 Extension of production and increase in employees.
  • 2011 The newly developed saddle line "Remos" is launched successfully.