Austrian ski apparel brand Eisbär is moving production to China and Poland, cutting 14 of its 50 jobs and closing its existing site in Feldkirchen an der Donau, Upper Austria, by the end of 2026, according to Austrian news. Eisbär, whose name means “polar bear” in German, is known for its knitted hats, scarves, and winter sports apparel and famously sponsors the Austrian national ski team.
Management has informed its workforce of the restructuring in person last week. Eisbär plans to relocate its headquarters to another location in Upper Austria, but has not disclosed where. The company has also not specified how production will be divided between China and Poland, but stresses that it aims to keep “essential parts of the value chain” in Austria.
Despite moving manufacturing abroad, Eisbär is not leaving Austria and the company remains in Austrian hands. The company plans to retain its headquarters in Upper Austria, with the new location still under negotiation. The Feldkirchen site is scheduled to close at the end of the year. The 14 employees whose jobs will be eliminated were personally informed of the cuts, according to Eisbär.
Managing Director Thorsten Grönlund, who took up the position at the end of June, stated that rising non-wage labor costs, higher infrastructure and energy expenses, and increasing global price and competitive pressure had driven the restructuring. The lease on the Feldkirchen property was also not renewed.
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The restructuring comes as Eisbär continues its longstanding relationship with Ski Austria, the Austrian ski federation (ÖSV). The company recently announced an expanded partnership that makes it the exclusive headwear supplier for the Austrian ski team, covering training, World Cup events, and major international competitions. The partnership dates back to 1975. Grönlund described its extension as “a strong sign of trust and continuity for us,” according to the company’s announcement.
Founded in Austria in the 1950s as a family business, Eisbär grew from a small knitting operation into an internationally recognized winter sports headwear brand. Its profile rose in the 1960s when Austrian ski racer Karl Schranz wore an Eisbär hat during World Cup competition, helping establish the brand’s connection to Alpine skiing.
Today, Eisbär is known for its knitted hats and headbands, combining traditional knitting expertise with performance-focused designs and everyday winter accessories. Its products are worn by recreational skiers and outdoor enthusiasts as well as elite athletes and can be found in ski shops from Kitzbühel, Austria, to Aspen, Colorado. “Eisbär ski hats are among the most recognizable ski hats you’ll find in our ski town,” Aspen’s premier ski shop Miller Sports wrote on its website.
The brand’s links to Austrian skiing remain central to its identity. Eisbär has worked with Ski Austria since 1975 and is continuing its role as the federation’s exclusive headwear supplier, including for Austrian athletes competing at major international events.
The planned production relocation marks a significant change for a brand whose identity is closely tied to Austrian craftsmanship. While manufacturing is expected to move to Poland and China, Eisbär intends to retain its headquarters in Upper Austria. It remains unclear whether moving production to China and Poland will affect the manufacturing arrangements for Ski Austria headwear or other official merchandise.
