The history of the Ziener brand
ZIENER: SPECIALIST FOR SPORTS GLOVES AND SPORTSWEAR SINCE 1946
Upper Bavarian Oberammergau, famous for its woodcarvings and Passion Plays, is located in the beautiful Ammergau region of the Alps. Master glove maker Franz Ziener Senior, originally from the Erzgebirge mountain area, set up his glove making workshop here in 1946. What were once high-quality, hand-made gloves for everyday use are today technically innovative gloves for winter and bike sports. For some years now, the functional specialist’s product portfolio has also been supplemented by a wide-ranging functional clothing line. The long-established company is one of Europe’s market leaders in the winter sports glove segment. Together with managing director Frank Burig, the company is entering its fourth generation with Daniel Ziener.
1946
COMPANY FOUNDED
Master glove maker Franz Ziener Senior and his family move from the Erzgebirge mountain region in eastern Germany to Oberammergau, where Franz sets up a glove making workshop. Ziener and his three employees make high quality glacé kid gloves.
1952
FIRST SKI GLOVES
In 1952, the then still young glove manufactory began its development from a classic glove maker into a specialist for functional winter sports gloves.
1954–1984 & from 2010
GERMAN NATIONAL SKI TEAM
ZIENER is glove supplier to the German National Ski Team. After a break, ZIENER then becomes the DSV's glove supplier for alpine skiing and ski jumping.
1970
SECOND FAMILY GENERATION - THE SON ERNST ZIENER
Franz' son, Ernst Ziener, and his sister Gerda take over the running of the company. Ziener manufactures in Hungary, Yugoslavia and the Far East. The development, design and cutting of the collection are still based in Oberammergau today.
1980
THIRD FAMILY GENERATION - FRANZ ZIENER JUNIOR
With the handover to Franz Ziener Junior, the company passed into the third generation of the family. Under his leadership, ZIENER developed from a traditional glove manufacturer into an internationally established specialist for ski and sports gloves.
1992
SKI AND SNOWBOARD CLOTHING
With the development of ski and snowboard clothing, ZIENER expanded its range and transferred its many years of experience in glove development to functional clothing for winter sports. This laid another important foundation for its development into a complete winter sports brand.
2002
GERMAN SKI INSTRUCTORS
ZIENER is glove supplier to the coaching teams of the German Ski Instructors' Association (DSLV) and the German Ski Association (DSV) and, not least, now one of Europe's largest winter glove manufacturers.
2002
LAUNCH OF THE BIKE COLLECTION
ZIENER expands its range for the first time to include functional cycling gloves and cycling clothing. The new product line is very well received in its very first year and is successfully launched on the market.
2007
NORDIC TEAM ÖSV
ZIENER is the official glove supplier to the ÖSV Nordic Team. Ski jumpers, Nordic combined athletes, cross-country skiers and biathletes compete wearing custom-made gloves from Oberammergau.
2025
FOURTH FAMILY GENERATION - CONTINUITY AND PROGRESS
Tradition meets future: generational change in ZIENER's management
After more than 40 years, Franz Ziener is handing over the management to the fourth generation. Daniel Ziener, son of Franz Ziener, and Frank Burig now form the official management team, initiating the planned generational change in the family-run sporting goods company. A step that combines tradition and future in a special way.
2025
COOPERATION WITH THE LSV
With the start of the 2025/26 winter season, ZIENER becomes the official partner of the Liechtenstein Ski Association (LSV) and its squad teams in the alpine and Nordic disciplines. Both are thus sending a strong signal for quality, innovation and shared ambitions in international skiing.