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The 1980s, a transitional period
Snowshoes date back to prehistoric times. Up until recently they were only a tool for travelling and hunting. In the early 1980s, new materials appeared and snowshoes presented themselves as a sport and leisure activity product. So naturally the TSL (Thônes Sport Loisir) company was set up in 1981 in the Aravis valley, birthplace of the French Alps, with the launching of plastic snowshoes, the JCB. The snowshoe leisure activity was still little known, so TSL developed the activity in France by promoting snowshoe events and joining forces with instructors such as mountain guides.
The 1990s, birth of the snowshoe technique
It was only in 1995 that TSL really took off and became the snowshoe leader and reference brand. The 225 Rando was thought up and sold during the same year. It was an immediate success and sold in many countries. It is to date the biggest selling model in the world. What are the reasons for such a success? It is the first snowshoe with an articulated binding combining comfort, technical skill and design. Its wasp shape offers a natural walking comfort and is a recognizable mark on all the plastic snowshoes of the TSL brand.
The 2000s, A small company became a big one
TSL continued its expansion. In 2000, the company diversified and launched a range of winter products linked to snowshoes such as trekking shoes and poles. Other innovative snowshoe models appeared and reinforced TSL’s world leading position. In 2005 TSL launched its first summer products by bringing major innovations into the Nordic Walking market. TSL became a recognized and legitimate brand in outdoor sports. 2006 : its main world competitor relocated its American production to Asia. TSL opened a subsidiary and a production plant in the United States (Williston, Vermont) by recruiting the competitor’s displaced former employees. TSL SNOWSHOES was created. A range of aluminium snowshoes was developed and produced on American soil. In 2009, the company congratulated itself for its sustainable development policy by being one of the last enterprises of the sport world to keep its snowshoe manufacturing in France for the European and Asian markets and in the United States for the North American continent. With a view of sustainable development, TSL OUTDOOR, snowshoe pioneer and world leader had to go even further: develop and produce the first snowshoe in the world made from recycled material. They’ve done it! The 325 Nature is born!
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