At a glance
The story of HEAD
Since our launch in 1960, we've achieved a reputation for cutting-edge design, engineering excellence and a passion for championing all sport, everywhere.
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Head was so convinced that his future lay with ski design that in January 1948 he resigned from Martin to devote all his time to the development of a composite ski.
In 1939, Howard Head went to work as a riveter for aircraft manufacturer Glenn L. Martin Company before securing a position as an engineer.
Head worked at Martin during the war years, when he became known for his fondness for poker and parties. He was still with the company in 1946 when his penchant for socializing led him to try skiing during an outing to Stowe, Vermont, an event that marked a turning point in his life.
Despite being embarrassed by his efforts on the slopes, he was hooked on the sport and determined to improve his skill. Like many a beginner, he blamed the equipment for his poor performance, but unlike the vast majority of skiers, Head possessed the technical knowledge to make a convincing case. Skis at the time were long, heavy, and clumsy; they were also constructed of hickory wood, a material which easily lost its shape and created an unstable ride.
Rather than simply devote himself to mastering the use of the traditional ski, Head boasted he could make a better, lighter, more efficient ski using metal and aircraft manufacturing techniques.
Head bought a band saw for $250 and began designing skis in his spare time.
His concept was not to simply make a metal ski, at which others had tried and failed.
Rather, he looked to the metal-sandwich construction method of the aircraft industry, which developed during World War II when chemists created flexible, waterproof glues to bond aluminum and plywood.
In 1947, Head launched his “honeycomb” ski project, so called because he envisioned a ski that was constructed of two layers of aluminum bonded to plywood sidewalls that encased a core of honeycomb plastic.
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After Howard Head’s departure, one of the tennis players that HEAD sponsored, Arthur Ashe, won Wimbledon, defeating favoured Jimmy Connors in 1975.
In 1968, HEAD launched a tennis division at the company and a year later introduced the first metal tennis racket at the U.S. Open.
In 1969 Howard Head sold his company to AMF and retired shortly afterwards.
In retirement, he focused on his tennis game, which had shown little improvement even with a metal racket and numerous lessons. He went on to develop the first oversized metal tennis racket, and revolutionizing a second sport.
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In 1969, Head signed Olympic champion ski racer Jean-Claude Killy to endorse a new metal and fiberglass ski, the Killy 800. Head subsequently developed an entire product line of Killy skis.
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Minstar acquires HEAD through AMF takeover
Management buys out HEAD, Tyrolia, and Mares, forming HTM
HTM is sold to Austria Tabak
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Johan Eliasch who is an avid skier and was well aware of the HEAD brand, gained control of the HEAD Sports in 1995. Mr. Eliasch moved quickly to revitalize the fortunes of HTM. With the product lines more focused, he directed the company’s attention into three areas: winter sports, tennis, and scuba diving.
A fourth division, licensing, was subsequently added. As a result of these changes, in 1997 the company was able to post its first profit in years. In 1997, HTM introduced the first tennis racket made of titanium and graphite, which proved highly popular. It then developed the first computerized tennis racket, named HEAD Intelligence, which employed sensors to adjust the necessary power and in the process suppress about half of all vibrations, thus eliminating the cause of tennis elbow.
On the skiing side of the business, new hourglass-shaped skis, designed to make sharp turns, also found a ready market.
In addition, Mr. Eliasch looked to grow HTM through external means. In 1998, the company acquired Dacor, a diving industry pioneer, followed by the 1999 addition of Penn Tennis Balls and snowboard makers Blax and Generics.
HEAD today
THE MODERN ERA
Tennis,
Racquetball,
Squash, Padel,
Pickleball,
Footwear
Pro Athletes
Head Balls
Ski, Boots,
Protection
Pro Athletes
Head Balls
MEET THE HISTORY MAKERS
THE HIGH-PERFORMING ATHLETES OF TEAM HEAD
MAKING HISTORY IN RACQUET SPORT
What do hundreds of Grand Slams, ATP and WTA Tour wins all have in common? These incredible results were achieved by a unique roster of current and former World Number Ones. And when it comes to equipment, what high-performing brand do they rely on? Guess.
MAKING HISTORY IN ALPINE SPORTS
Our athletes have seized successive number 1 seasons on the slopes – for 12 years! What’s their secret? They don’t give up, ever. And they insist on the most successful brand of equipment in Alpine Ski racing and the Winter Olympics. We all know which brand that is.