With the acquisition of the Slovakian rope manufacturer ŽILMONT s.r.o., EDELRID is expanding its production capacities in Central and Eastern Europe. The Slovakian rope manufacturer has been part of the EDELRID Group and operating under the name EDELRID Slovakia s.r.o. since October 1, 2023. The Slovakian company was established in 1990 and specializes in the production of ropes and textiles for both climbing and industrial uses. Both parties hope that the transition to the EDELRID Group will create a strong partnership in international markets.

“The addition of the skills and expertise offered by the EDELRID Slovakia team enables us to meet the rising levels of demand and differing requirements in the various markets”, comments Vitus Wuhrer, Managing Director of EDELRID GmbH & Co. KG. “Our new colleagues specialize in braiding and weaving, and we are looking forward to working together to further develop and expand our existing product ranges.”

Bronia Rumanová, Managing Director of EDELRID Slovakia s.r.o., has been with the company for over 20 years. She regards the merger of the two companies as offering major opportunities: “Customers will benefit greatly from the combination of our 25 years and EDELRID’s 160 years of experience. We want to offer the best protective equipment to everyone, whether recreational or industrial climbers, and can now combine our strengths to achieve this.”

EDELRID Slovakia will continue to primarily act as a developer and supplier of textile products for personal protection equipment (PPE). The company focuses on high-quality dynamic and static climbing ropes in line with the latest technology under the own brand name ‘Gilmonte’. EDELRID Slovakia s.r.o. is based in the city of Žilina in northern Slovakia. It employs 35 people on site in the areas of development, administration, and production.

From left to right: Markus Wanner (EDELRID Managing Director), Boris Ruman (EDELRID Slovakia Head of Development and Production), Vitus Wuhrer (EDELRID Managing Director), and Bronislava Rumanová (EDELRID Slovakia Managing Director)

 

The expansion of a rope manufacturer

The acquisition is EDELRID’s second within a year, following on from that of the avalanche equipment supplier ABS. “We are implementing a policy of expansion. Not necessarily with regard to the size of the company but, above all, with regard to our supply capacities. We want to be able to serve markets reliably and in line with their users’ wishes. To do this, we are expanding our expertise both at our head office site in Isny and on an international level,” explains Wuhrer.

Following on from EDELRID North America, EDELRID Slovakia is the EDELRID Group’s second company-owned international subsidiary. All other markets are served by a close-knit network of distributors and agencies.

Download press pictures

Company information

EDELRID Slovakia s.r.o. has been part of the EDELRID Group since October 1, 2023. The company was established in 1990 under the name ŽILMONT s.r.o. and manufactures ropes and textiles for recreational climbing and mountaineering as well as for industrial climbing. The company sells dynamic and static climbing ropes, slings, and accessory cords for personal protective equipment (PPE) under its own brand name Gilmonte. All development and production activities take place in the city of Žilina in northern Slovakia, where the company employs 35 people.

 

Since its establishment in 1863, EDELRID GmbH & Co.KG has developed into a leading production company for ropes, climbing equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Since its acquisition by Albrecht of Dewitz in 2006, the company has been particularly characterized by high levels of innovation and sustainability. EDELRID not only developed the first kernmantle rope but also brought the first bluesign® certified ropes to the market. All product development activities take place in the German town of Isny im Allgäu, where 60 percent of all products (including 100 percent of ropes) are produced. This guarantees not only the exceptional quality and functionality appreciated by EDELRID users worldwide, but also ongoing innovation. The renowned climbing shoe brand Red Chili has been part of EDELRID’s product portfolio since 2017.