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For 80 years, the unmistakable yellow octagon has been the symbol of a company synonymous with quality,
performance, safety, innovation and design. From the moment we created the first rubber sole for mountaineering,
Vibram has become a benchmark in the footwear market. Vibram soles derived from a desire to boost safety and
protection are known all over the world, and are the result of a constant commitment to research and development.
Behind every Vibram sole lies in-depth study of the specific performance characteristics required of each particular
application, with a view to meeting a three-fold quality objective and guaranteeing maximum performance, comfort
and durability. To ensure this, tough static and dynamic tests are conducted both in the laboratory and in action by
the Vibram Tester Team.
A STORY OF INNOVATION
The Vibram story began in 1936, when Vitale Bramani (an Academic of the Italian Alpine Club), on his return from a
mountaineering ascent that ended in tragedy, came up with the idea of making footwear soles using the same
technique employed for making vehicle tyres. This stroke of genius led to the dbut of the first soles branded Vibram
a combination of the inventors first name and surname and the famous Carrarmato sole that revolutionised both
mountaineering and the world of footwear, allowing for unprecedented performance in terms of abrasion resistance,
traction and grip.
Over the years, important new developments, product launches and technology patents have shaped the history of
Vibram, a company that has shown an impressive ability to innovate and keep pace with change. The launch on the
market of Vibram FiveFingers, in 2006, marked a major turning point for the business, bringing it closer to the end
customer and consolidating its leading position on markets worldwide.
The Vibram headquarters, which remains the powerhouse of the business, is in Albizzate, in the province of Varese. It is
here that most of the companys industrial design and development activities are carried out, in order to guarantee
reliable, consistent quality standards for customers, wherever they are. Vibram operates in more than 120 countries
worldwide, with commercial and industrial facilities in the USA, Brazil and Japan, as well as in China, which in 2009 saw
the inauguration of the Vibram Technological Center, a futuristic research centre for the testing and development of new
products. The two Vibram flagship stores, on the other hand, can be found in Milan and in Boston.
TIMELINE
1935 Six mountaineers lost their lives during an ascent in which Vitale Bramani also took part. The tragedy was
partly due to the lack of adequate footwear to tackle mixed surfaces, the extreme cold, the ice and the large amount
of snow.
1936 This tragic event prompted Vitale Bramani to engineer a sole able to provide excellent traction on mixed
surfaces, using vulcanized rubber technology and developing the now famous Carrarmato design that remains one of
the most popular soles with mountain enthusiasts to this day.
1937 The dbut of Vibram Carrarmato, destined to revolutionise mountain climbing and the world of footwear.
1947 Vitale Bramani opened his first factory, called Gomma Tecnica. Located in Gallarate, it initially employed 40
people.
1957 Vitale Bramani moved the factory from Gallarate to Albizzate, and changed the name to VIBRAM (an acronym
derived from VItale BRAMani).
1965 Vibrams arrival in North America. "Quabaug Rubber Co., a long-established rubber company, acquired the
exclusive license to manufacture Vibram soles for the North American market. During this period, the company had 11
dealers worldwide.
2004 The dbut of Vibram FiveFingers, an authentic second skin glove for the foot that has revolutionised the
concept of walking barefoot.
2006 Vibram FiveFingers was launched on the international market, where it has become an icon of minimalist
footwear.
2013 Worldwide launch of the Vibram Megagrip mix, which has revolutionised grip standards on wet surfaces
outdoors.
VIBRAM IN FIGURES
Over 40 million soles produced by the company every year
Over 150 sole models developed every season
About 120 countries worldwide where the brand is present
Over 1,000 Vibram partners worldwide
Over 800 people employed worldwide (250 in the headquarters in Albizzate, 200 in China and 350 in the US).
VIBRAM WORLDWIDE
Vibrams industrial design, strategic and top management activities, as well as the development of new technologies and
products, are concentrated in the companys headquarters in Albizzate, in the province of Varese, in order to guarantee
all partners the same level of quality and reliability. In the USA, Vibram has sales, R&D and product testing facilities. The
company has a license holder in Brazil, while China is home to the futuristic Vibram Technological Center.
Vibram SPA: Headquarters / Albizzate (Varese, Italy) (R&D Production- Marketing Sales -Test Center - Design)
Vibram USA: Branch / Concord (USA near Boston) - (Marketing Sales -Test Center - Design)
Vibram USA: North Brookfield (Massachusetts): Production
Vibram China: GuangZhou (Vibram Technological Center)
Vibram Japan: Marketing & Sales
Vibram Brazil (license holder): Production - sales