K2 Sports

K2
	File:K2 Sports logo.svg
Company type	Private
Industry	Sporting goods
Founded	1962; 64 years ago
Founder	Bill Kirschner ; Don Kirschner
Headquarters	Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Josee Larocque (CEO)
Products	Skis, Snowboards, Ski Boots, Ski Bindings, Snowboard Boots, Snowboard bindings, Apparel, Inline skates, Ice skates, Snowshoes, Backcountry Safety Accessories
Brands	K2 Skis, K2 Snowboards, K2 Skates, Backcountry Access, Ride Snowboards, Tubbs Snowshoes, Atlas Snow-Shoe Company, LINE Skis, Full Tilt Boots, Madshus
Parent	Kohlberg & Company
Website	k2snow.com k2skates.com

K2 Sports, LLC, commonly known as K2, is an American sporting goods enterprise headquartered in Seattle, Washington. The company specializes in equipment for winter sports and markets its products through brands like K2 Snow and K2 Skates. Its portfolio extends to subsidiaries such as Backcountry Access, Ride Snowboards, Tubbs Snowshoes, Atlas Snow-Shoe Company, LINE Skis, Full Tilt Boots, and Madshus. Prominent athletes who have endorsed K2 Skis include champions such as Spider Sabich along with Olympic medalists Phil and Steve Mahre.

Founding

In 1962, brothers Bill and Don Kirschner founded the company on Vashon Island, Washington. They were innovators in developing fiberglass ski technology that greatly decreased ski weight and enhanced performance. The brand name "K2," adopted in 1967, symbolizes both the second tallest mountain globally and the two founding brothers.

Growth and acquisitions

By 1969, K2 experienced swift growth that resulted in its acquisition by Cummins Engine Company. In 1976, a group of investors from the Northwest created Sitca to acquire K2 along with its subsidiary Jansport. Sitca's management completed a buyout in 1982 to concentrate solely on alpine ski manufacturing.

Anthony Industries purchased Sitca in 1985 and later renamed itself K2, Inc. in 1995 after selling off its pool business. Beginning in 2000 under board member Richard Heckmann’s leadership, the company embarked on an aggressive expansion strategy and shifted production to Guangdong, China by 2001 to maintain market competitiveness.

K2 broadened its product range through acquisitions including Rawlings Sporting Goods, Worth baseball bats, Brass Eagle paintball gear, Volkl skis, Marker bindings, and Marmot apparel. The company moved its corporate office from Vashon Island to Seattle’s Industrial District in 2006.

In 2007, Jarden Corporation purchased K2 at $15.50 per share; Jarden was subsequently integrated into Newell Brands. In 2017, Newell divested K2 to the private equity firm Kohlberg & Company.

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