HistoryIn 1958, the Victor Industrial Racket Cooperation was registered by president Den Li Chen.Within a short time Den Li Chen was able to build up a factory in Taipei which, even today, remains one of the biggest factories for shuttles and rackets in the Far East. It was VICTOR’S natural shuttlecock “Champion”, which gave the fame to the world brand VICTOR and even today it is probably still the best shuttle in the world. In these countries people play badminton with the same enthusiasm we play football here. In most Eastern Asian countries VICTOR has always been No.1 whilst the main competitor, Yonex, was marketed many years later. In the 70’s, Den Li Chen, the leader of several production, spread brand and distribution rights worldwide. In Germany Guido Schmidt founded the company, VICTOR-SPORT Vertriebs GmbH, with the brand rights in 1978 and started to build up a distribution organisation. Den Li Chen increased his production line continuously with all kinds of shuttlecocks, bags, shoes and textiles. The natural shuttlecock and racket production factory is still one of the biggest worldwide with an output of around 70,000 dozen per month and employs about 1000 employees. At the end of the 90’s a new factory in Nanjing, Central China, was founded and is also, using methods of the Western World, well organised and directed and is ISO certified.
Following the death of Guido Schmidt in 1991, VICTOR SPORT was sold to the external manager: Jan Beutler, who has Far East experience and a firm knowledge of directing companies as Executive Director, and Rolf Aurin, who is well known on the badminton scene, a player in the National team and with good customer contacts, became a partner and Head of Sales. The whole company was reconstructed with a refreshed Corporate Identity and Design and a young and ambitious new team was built up. After 20 years of exponential growth the market situation became more challenging due to decreasing sport participation and increased competition structure (in contrast to the 80’s and 90’s there were now around 30 competitors). Nevertheless, VICTOR was able to increase turnover year upon year. This was only made possible by being the consistent market leader. In 2001/2002 an important commercial arrangement was achieved through buying most of the European market rights. From Russia to Spain, the expansion of the market leader in Badminton and indoor sports could now go ahead. All over the Far East VICTOR (Victor Rackets Ltd) also held its leading position. Now VICTOR-SPORT was able to establish ranges in squash and tennis, and also expand the product line for textiles.
More than 100 top players all over Europe are sponsored by VICTOR. VICTOR has the biggest indoor catalogue and significant internet presence with more than 1000 visits per week further demonstrating our the leading market position. VICTOR SPORT cooperates with many large consumer companies, sales associations, sports retailers, mail-order companies, clubs and individuals. |
VICTOR-SPORT, Germany, has developed positively with the support of the Far East parent company and today has the sale rights to most of Europe. A big success of the 80's was when they collaborated with Ashaway USA, the no.1 string producer worldwide. This 175 year old company (one of the oldest companies in the USA) produces probably the best tennis strings worldwide.
In October 2006 VICTOR SPORT was introduced to the U.K. under the directorship of Steven Chappell, a European languages graduate from Loughborough University. He is an accomplished badminton player and currently plays for Cumbria County and Club Luckau that play in the German leagues. Previously Steven trained for 18 months at the International Badminton Academy in Copenhagen. Under his leadership we believe that VICTOR SPORT will become as successful in the U.K. as in the Far East and Europe.