Quechua (brand)
Encyclopedia
Quechua is a mountain sports brand founded in 1997 in Domancy
, France
, producing Hiking
, Trail running
, Adventure racing
, Climbing
and Mountaineering
apparel and equipment and is sold in every store of Decathlon Group
and sportswear shops. It currently employs about 150 persons. The name comes from the Quechua
language, an indigenous language of South America
. The products are mainly manufactured in China, although with French quality control.
Domancy
Domancy is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.-References:*...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, producing Hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, Trail running
Trail running
Trail running is a variant on running that differs markedly from road running and track running. Trail running generally takes place on hiking trails, most commonly single track trails, although fire roads are not uncommon. A distinguishing characteristic of the trails is that they are often...
, Adventure racing
Adventure racing
Adventure racing is a combination of two or more endurance disciplines, including orienteering and/or navigation , cross-country running, mountain biking, paddling and climbing and related rope skills...
, Climbing
Climbing
Climbing is the activity of using one's hands and feet to ascend a steep object. It is done both for recreation and professionally, as part of activities such as maintenance of a structure, or military operations.Climbing activities include:* Bouldering: Ascending boulders or small...
and Mountaineering
Mountaineering
Mountaineering or mountain climbing is the sport, hobby or profession of hiking, skiing, and climbing mountains. While mountaineering began as attempts to reach the highest point of unclimbed mountains it has branched into specialisations that address different aspects of the mountain and consists...
apparel and equipment and is sold in every store of Decathlon Group
Decathlon Group
Decathlon is a major French sporting good chain store, with stores located throughout the world. It started with a shop near Lille, France in 1976. It expanded to Germany in 1986, Spain in 1992 and the United Kingdom in 1999. It entered the American market by purchasing the New England 20-store...
and sportswear shops. It currently employs about 150 persons. The name comes from the Quechua
Quechua languages
Quechua is a Native South American language family and dialect cluster spoken primarily in the Andes of South America, derived from an original common ancestor language, Proto-Quechua. It is the most widely spoken language family of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, with a total of probably...
language, an indigenous language of South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. The products are mainly manufactured in China, although with French quality control.
History
- 1997 : The Quechua company starts in a three room flat in Sallanches (74700) with the formulation of the brand's development. The trademark is made official worldwide, following recruitment products development.
- 1999 : Opening of the International Headquarters in Domancy, very close to the Mont Blanc, nearest of users.
- 2002 : The first Technical Partnership contracts are signed. Some big names disciplines flagship Quechua, lending their expertise in developing high-quality products. The brand passes field testing.
- 2003 : The 6 year old Quechua company joins the Top 10 largest global brands in mountain gear with comparable scope of activity. The brand fabric its teams of designers, as well as engineering and prototyping. Publication of the first consumer magazine, covering every mountain topic. At that time its name is Chullanka (snowed summit in Quechua language). The name changes to Quechua Magazine for the seventh issue.
- 2005 : The 2 seconds tents release puts Quechua in the innovation spotlight.
- 2006 : Quechua wins two IF Design Award. The 2 seconds Tent wins the Industrial Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) for the innovation of instant tent..
- 2007 : At the 10 year mark the company employs 100 persons at its premises Domancy, the brand itself. 80% of employees are involved in the design, development, supply or marketing of products ... Quechua wins 3 IF Design Awards for the Forclaz 900 jacket, Arpenaz 700 lady shoes and the 2seconds Air tent;
- 2008 : Quechua wins 3 IF Design Awards for the "All in One Sleeping Bag", the SSV Forclaz and the Bionassay 500 jacket.