Image: Luigi, Francesco and Antonio Parisotto
Scarpa’s history is an interesting one which began way back in 1938. Lord Guinness (of well-known Guinness beer) was a businessman and created this fine brand which was born of his desire to give work and a future to skilled craftsmen. Lord Guinness owned land in Asolo where leather processing was a traditional handicraft.
In 1956 fate brought together Scarpa and the Parisotto family. Luigi, Francesco and Antonio Parisotto were to take over the Asolo Business. The brothers had already founded the “San Giorgio” factory producing mountaineering shoes from a stable. 19 hour days and working 7 days a week they rode many miles on bicycles carrying rucksacks full of boots to sell.
As the business grew the stable was no longer able to house the demand for increased orders. It was then suggested that the Parisotto brothers take over Scarpa. Soon after production went from 10,000 to 120,000 pairs a year and the workforce increased from 17 to 50. Products were now exported to the USA, Canada, England, Germany and Australia. The 40 models included mountain shoes, ski boots, both cross-country and free heel skiing.
One key element in Scarpa’s early success has to be the work ethic of the Parisotto brothers. None had a personal office, each worked from a bench amongst the workers. They were there to aid and answer questions but above all to teach by example a pride in things done well.
In the 1970′s the Grinta was born, followed by the Vega, both produced from Pebax (then used only for tennis rackets). The Grinta was the first high-altitude boot of plastic material. The 1980′s saw added designs for a variety of users: high-altitude, mountain, trekking, hiking, outdoor, climbing and free heel skiing. It was at this time Scarpa created their first basic outdoor shoe. Gore-Tex was also introduced. Within the 1990′s the collection grew to over 100 models. 1993 saw the Denali introduced, a ski mountaineering boot which was developed with mountaineering friend Romolo Nottris who was also a distributor of Scarpa. The company’s success continues to grow and 1996 saw inauguration of a new plant. More steps forward were made in the 2000′s. 145 models produced, 80% export, a new approach line along with a new line of products for climbing with the input of Heinz Mariacher. The lifestyle line was born with design focusing on everyday comfort, shoes for work as well as walking.
Scarpa’s success seems to boil down to their obsession with quality and working with people who are out there in the field using the products in extreme environments giving them the opportunity to suggest ways in which to ensure “no place is too far”.
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