Jump to content

Sole Technology

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sole Technology, Inc.
Industry
Founded1996
Headquarters
Lake Forest, California
,
United States
Products
Brands
  • Etnies
  • éS Skateboarding
  • Emerica
  • ThirtyTwo
  • Altamont Apparel
  • STI Lab
OwnerPierre-André Senizergues
Websitesoletechnology

Sole Technology, Inc.,known informally asSole Tech,is an Americanfootwearand apparel company, specializing inskate shoedesign, production and distribution. The company is owned and operated by Pierre-André Senizergues, a former professionalfreestyle skateboarder.The company's headquarters are inLake Forest,California,United States.

History

[edit]

Sole Technology was founded in 1996 to be the parent company of the etnies, éS, Emerica and ThirtyTwo brands.[1]

The Sole Technology Institute (STI) was established in 2003. STI Lab is a first-of-its-kindresearch and developmentfacility that conductsbiomechanicalskate shoe research.[1][2][3]

In May 2024, etnies, éS, Emerica and ThirtyTwo were acquired byNidecker Group,a Swiss action sports equipment conglomerate.[4]Following the acquisition, a new company was created to operate the four brands under Nidecker, with Pierre-André assuming the role of CEO for each of them. The Sole Technology name will gradually be phased out.[5]

Brands

[edit]

Etnies

[edit]
Main article:Etnies

The company's first and largest brand isetnies.Established in 1986, etnies produces footwear and apparel for skateboarding,BMX,motocross,surfingandsnowboarding—the brand also sponsors teams in all of these "action sports."[2]From 2005 to 2011, the company also operated etnies plus, a sub-brand which specialized in limited-run footwear.[citation needed]

Etnies sponsored athletes includeRyan Sheckler,Willow, Nick Garcia, Jose Rojo, Chris Joslin and David Reyes.[6]

éS Skateboarding

[edit]

Founded in 1995, éS produces skateboarding footwear and apparel.[7]The brand subsequently sponsored a team that included professional skateboardersJohn Rattray,PJ Ladd,Eric Koston,Paul Rodriguez,Ronnie Creager, Chad Muska, Justin Eldridge, Rodrigo Teixeira (TX),Bob Burnquist,Arto Saari,Nyjah Huston,Tom Penny,andRick McCrank.[8]

After announcing a hiatus in mid-2012, the brand returned in 2014 with special edition runs of their shoes distributed to select skateboard shops.[citation needed]

Emerica

[edit]

Emerica was launched in 1996, and, in addition to selling apparel,[2]has produced a number of skateboarding-themed videos.[9][10]Their 2013 video,MADE: Chapter One,was offered to consumers at a price of their choosing, with a minimum price of US$1.00 established.[11]

In July 2013, the brand released its "Workwear" line, a collaboration with skateboarderAndrew Reynolds.[12]

Emerica sponsors a skateboard team which includes Collin Provost,Ed Templeton,Justin "Figgy" Figueroa, Kevin "Spanky" Long, Leo Romero,[13]Jeremy Leabres,[14]Jon Dickson, Eric Winkowski, Rob Maatman, Dakota Servold, Kevin Baekkel, Victor Aceves and Chris Wimer.

ThirtyTwo

[edit]

ThirtyTwo, a snowboarding boots, apparel, and outerwear brand, was launched in 1995 by snowboarders and has been privately held since that time.[2]As of September 2013, the brand sponsors a team of snowboarders.[15]

ThirtyTwo's Global Pro team includesJ. P. Walker,Jeremy Jones,Scott Stevens, Chris Grenier, Chris Bradshaw, Halldór Helgason, Jordan Small, Johnny O'Connor, Joe Sexton, Corey Smith, Dylan Alito, Toni Kerkela, Desiree Melancon,Zeb Powell,Pat Fava and Phil Hansen.

Its Global Am team includes Brandon Hobush, Spencer Schubert, Chris Brewster, Toni Kerkela, Benny Urban, Dylan Alito and Johnny O'Connor.[16]

Altamont Apparel

[edit]

Altamont Apparel was launched in October 2006[2]as a concept of Justin Regan and Reynolds, who enlisted UK artist Mark "Fos" Foster as the head designer.[17]Over time, the brand has expanded beyond skateboarding to involve musicians[18]and artists.[19]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ab"Sole Technology Timeline".Sole Technology, Inc.Archivedfrom the original on March 2, 2024.RetrievedJune 7,2024.
  2. ^abcde"Our Brands".Sole Technology.Archived fromthe originalon 22 October 2021.Retrieved15 October2021.
  3. ^Davis, James (2004).Skateboarding is not a Crime: 50 years of Street Culture.Firefly Books. pp.67.ISBN978-1-55407-001-5.
  4. ^Douglass, Rachel (May 30, 2024)."Nidecker Group acquires Etnies, éS, Emerica and ThirtyTwo".FashionUnited.RetrievedJune 7,2024.{{cite news}}:CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^"Sole Technology Founder Pierre-André Senizergues On Sale To Nidecker Group".Boardsport Source.May 2024.RetrievedJune 7,2024.{{cite news}}:CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^"Team – Skate".etnies.Sole Technology, Inc. Archived fromthe originalon 12 September 2013.Retrieved18 September2013.
  7. ^"eS Shoes".Skately.Skately LLC. September 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 28 September 2013.Retrieved18 September2013.
  8. ^Complex Mag (12 June 2009)."A History of Eric Koston's Signature Shoes".Complex Sneakers.Complex Media.Archivedfrom the original on 4 November 2013.Retrieved18 September2013.
  9. ^"Emerica's 'Stay Gold' DVD review".Trashfilter.Archivedfrom the original on 2010-09-09.Retrieved2010-09-07.
  10. ^"Emerica skate videos".Skatevideosite.2005–2013.Archivedfrom the original on 21 September 2013.Retrieved18 September2013.
  11. ^TWS (16 September 2013)."Get 'MADE' Pay What You Want".TransWorld Skateboarding.GrindMedia.Archivedfrom the original on 15 October 2021.Retrieved18 September2013.
  12. ^"Emerica Reynolds Workwear".Thrasher Magazine.High Speed Production, Inc. 25 July 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 20 September 2013.Retrieved18 September2013.
  13. ^"Team".Emerica.Sole Technology, Inc. September 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 6 October 2013.Retrieved18 September2013.
  14. ^"Emerica Made – Chapter One".Thrasher Magazine.High Speed Productions, Inc. 13 September 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 21 September 2013.Retrieved20 September2013.
  15. ^The development of the ThirtyTwo brand and the ski shoe product
  16. ^"Team".ThirtyTwo.Sole Technology, Inc. September 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 30 August 2013.Retrieved18 September2013.
  17. ^Benson (20 August 2013)."Back To School Style Guide: Altamont".Tactics The Grind (A Blog).Tactics.Archivedfrom the original on 7 October 2013.Retrieved5 October2013.
  18. ^"Contributors – Music".Altamont Apparel.Sole Technology, Inc. October 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 7 October 2013.Retrieved5 October2013.
  19. ^"Contributors – Art".Altamont Apparel.Sole Technology, Inc. October 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 7 October 2013.Retrieved5 October2013.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sole_Technology&oldid=1254312604"