Elpex new distributor of Karhu XC products in Sweden and Norway
Elpex and Finnish ski factory KSF Sport Oy agreed (in Feb ‘16) that Elpex will begin as Karhu skis, poles and ski boots distributor in Sweden and Norway.

Elpex and KSF Sport Oy have already earlier had co-operation because KSF Sport uses Ski Selector equipment in Kitee ski factory.

Karhu is a traditional Finnish sports brand established 1916. Karhu skis were produced in Southern Finland until 1972 when new ski factory started in Kitee in Eastern Finland. Karhu skis were produced in Kitee 40 years until 2012. After some years absence KSF Sport Oy got Karhu ski products back to Kitee in December 2015.

Karhu ski and ski boot range cover all categories from top level racing to entry level products.

Kitee ski factory has yearly capacity of about 60.000 pairs and its labour has more than 600 man-year experience of ski production.

Factory is during its existence well-known of its product development which has in the last years brought to the market several own innovations like new carbon core construction racing skis and totally no-wax Optigrip skis.

For 2016-17 Karhu will introduce DP Carbon double pole skis that have been developed together with Elpex and also skin skis which factory actually has produced several thousand pairs yearly at 80’s.

Karhu Optigrip ski base will be treated by totally new, 4th generation Optigrip nano material. It makes skiing really easy for people who don’t want to waste time in waxing but enjoy of great grip and good enough glide. Just take it and ski!

“We have been really satisfied in co-operation with Elpex concerning Ski Selector. When we got Karhu back to Kitee I almost immediately had an idea that Elpex would be the best possible Karhu distributor in Sweden and Norway. I was really happy that Johan Öberg, CEO of Elpex, became at once exited of the idea”, says Harri Kirvesniemi, CEO of KSF Sport Oy, and continues:

“Elpex roller skis, Ski Selector and our ski products are all living in time. Both companies are flexible and able to develop and offer both top products as well as make skiing easy and enjoyable for sport and recreational level skiers”.

“Karhu has always been a really strong ski brand in Finland but we haven’t almost at all appeared in Sweden and Norway during last 20 years. Co-operation with professional partner having know-how will for sure help both parties. Good contacts which Elpex has with customers are important for Karhu’s comeback in our western neighbors,” finishes Kirvesniemi.

“When Harri asked us if we wanted to take the distribution for Karhu in Sweden and Norway it did not take much time to think before we said yes, partly because we already had good cooperation regarding SkiSelector and a lot of interesting discussions about Double Poling skis.

For us it is a perfect addition to our other products and we also like to work together with a partner that wants to develop their products at the highest level of performance.

I also see the big group of potential skiers that would benefit from the Optigrip skis that makes skiing extremely easy and affordable without having to bother with waxing.

An interesting journey has started together for Elpex and Karhu and we look forward to the coming season!