Industry sports and medical Area served Worldwide Founded 1998 | Founder Gary Hammerslag Website Official page Type of business Private | |
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Boa Technology is a closure system manufacturer for the sports and medical industry. The company is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.
Contents
Inside boa technology hd
Company history
In 1998 Boa Technology was founded by Gary Hammerslag in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Hammerslag was the CEO of the company until 2012. Hammerslag used stainless steels wires running through low friction lace guides and terminating in a reel to replace the regular laces in boots, at first specifically for snowboard boots and hockey skates. As the technology matured, it became available for use in additional sports. In 2012 Glenbrook Consumer Partner bought a majority stake in Boa. By the Spring of 2012 the Boa closure systems was used in more than 100 companies, and more than 8 million products. In 2012 it was named by the Denver Post as one of the state's top places to work, employing more than 50 people. The company was also named the #4 place to work by Outside Magazine. In 2012 the company moved its offices to the Taxi commercial development region in Denver.
Sports technology
Gary Hammerslag's initial inspiration for the company was the creation of laces for footwear that would stay tied and not come undone during physical activity. In 2001 the first boot-systems featuring the Boa laces were produced by Vans and K2's snowboard divisions. In 2002 DC implemented the laces into its boot-systems for snowboard boots as well. By 2004 the company moved into the cycling industry, and next into the golf industry in 2005. The lace closure systems were also integrated into other products, including trail running shoes and more general outdoor footwear. This included winter boots, hiking boots, hunting boots, and work boots. Boa has also been used by endorsed athletes in both the Olympic Games and the X-Games.
In 2011 Boa Technology changed the name of its patented closure system from the "Boa Lacing System" to the "Boa Closure System", in reaction to the use of Boa Technology on non-footwear items such as helmets, motorcycle gloves, hydration packs, medical braces, and other apparel. By 2012 Boa Technology was used in one third of all the snowboard boots produced globally, and more than 70 riders in the Tour de France used the Boa Closure System.
Medical technology
The Medical Business Unit of Boa was founded in 2011, and led by Jimmy Capra. The unit was opened in order to facilitate additional partnerships in the orthopedic and prosthesis device marketplace, in addition to providing use for additional medical technologies. The Boa Closure System has also been used in spinal bracing, created for individuals with medical problems with their back or neck. The closure system allows physicians or patients to custom fit the braces more precisely.
People
The CEO of Boa was Gary Hammerslag until 2012, when President Mark Soderberg became CEO during the funding deal with Glenbrook Consumer Partners. Gary Hammerslag remains Chairman of the company.