The Simond family business, which has been a member of the Decathlon group since 2008, is a real institution in the valley. Chamonix Sotheby’s International Realty looks at its history, rich in achievements and innovations.

The Simond company in Chamonix: from forging to mountaineering equipment

To find the origins of the company Simond, which is still flourishing today, we have to go back to the beginning of the 1820s!

As blacksmiths and crystal specialists, the Simond brothers manufactured agricultural equipment, bells and tools related to crystal hunting in their forge located on the banks of the Arve in Chamonix. It was only natural for the first adventurers to turn to them to make the tools necessary to explore the Mont-Blanc massif.

Around the 1860s, expeditions were developing and among the brothers, it was François Simond who took the responsibility of making mountain equipment in the dedicated factory, located at the foot of the Bossons’ glacier.

Simond then designed different equipment, namely:

• Sledges
• Crampons
• Skis
• Ice axes

Technical skills and innovation at the service of mountaineers

Attentive to climbers and with a strong skill set inherited from his family, François’ son Claudius Simond, who arrived in the company in 1925, made the brand the world leader in high-mountain equipment.

Under his leadership, in 1948 the company developed and marketed the first model of a lightweight carabiner, which paved a new road in the history of mountaineering.

In 1960, mountain activities gained momentum among the French and international public in the heart of the world’s mountaineering capital. Simond maintained its spot as a leader in the market thanks to several innovations, such as:

• The first ergonomic carabiner (“Cliff”)
• The first ‘banana blade’ (“Chacal”)
• The first rigid crampons (“Makalu”)
• The first drop handle ice axe ("Scud")

In 1988, under Ludger Simond’s leadership (Claudius’ grandson), the company set up its new headquarters at the foot of Mont Blanc.

Simond joins the Decathlon

In 2004, the company was sold for the first time to Wichard, a French forging group specialising in boat equipment. Four years later, Simond joined the Decathlon network, which became its sole shareholder. This acquisition allowed Simond establishments to diversify their catalogue by manufacturing – still in Chamonix – other products dedicated to mountaineering and climbing, such as:

• Ropes
• Harnesses
• Climbing shoes
• Clothing

Used daily by climbers around the world, Simond products are designed and manufactured in the valley by about sixty employees. They are also tested in the field by many partner athletes, who honour the centuries-old values of the brand summarised by the company as follows: "Simond, the equipment of great exploits!"

Whether you want to sell or buy a prestigious property, trust the Chamonix Sotheby’s International Realty team to carry out your luxury real estate project in the valley… or elsewhere!

Sources: Simond company website