Every year, thousands of hockey players rely on equipment from the Bauer brand, such as helmets, gloves and jackets, to give them an edge on the ice. While the brand is most famous for making gear specific to the NHL game, its products can be found all over the world. Here’s a look at where you can find Bauer equipment.
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Australia
Since its inception, Bauer has always been synonymous with hockey. Founded by Walter Bauer in 1895, the company first made skates and then evolved to encompass all aspects of the game including clothing, protective gear and accessories. In 2016, Bauer celebrated its 100th anniversary and launched a new logo and slogan – “We Are More Than Just A Hockey Brand” – to mark the milestone. The brand is still represented in Australia by Bauer Australia, which was purchased by Hockey India Limited in 2017.
Bauer has provided hockey sticks for Australia for more than a century thanks to its close connection with the sport. While the brand makes a variety of sticks, including some unique to Australia, most people know it for its creation of the hockey stick, which was first sold in Australia in 1921. Since then, the country has been a vital market for the brand.
Canada
Bauer Hockey Equipment Inc. is Canada’s most trusted source for all hockey equipment needs. Established in 1917 and located in the heart of Canada’s hockey country, the company took over the operations of the former Bauer’s Can Am Hockey Company, which was founded by Walter Bauer back in 1895. The brand remains family-owned and continues to operate from its original headquarters in Vancouver, British Columbia. Bauer also has a smaller office in Toronto, Ontario, where it holds royal warrants as the authorized seller of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Bauer is a brand known for its quality products and customer care, which continues even now, nearly a century after it was first established. The company still makes most of its products in Canada as it did back then, keeping up with the trends but also ensuring it can provide the best possible experience for its customers. According to the company, more than 10% of its products are exported around the world.
Bauer started making helmets for the Canadian military in the early 20th century. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s that the company began focusing on the hockey market, with the initial product being a mesh shield for skaters. Since then, the brand has enjoyed considerable success in Canada, with annual sales reaching nearly $30 million in 2016.
USA
Even with so much success in other markets, it’s safe to say that Bauer has found its niche in the United States, where it currently operates out of a 30,000-square-foot distribution center in Dallas, Texas. The company began selling hockey equipment in this market back in 1909, with the sale of protective headwear for baseball players. Later on, it expanded into the hockey world, creating the first-ever composite stick in the 1910s. The brand currently offers products for baseball, hockey and soccer, as well as a line of bike helmets and protective headwear.
As mentioned, Bauer has a large distribution center in Texas, which serves as the heart of its operations in the United States. The brand also has a smaller operation in Pennsylvania, where it focuses on the delivery of products to customers in the region.
Another important market for the company is California, the home of a number of extremely devoted hockey fans. The state is a vital part of Bauer’s operations, representing about 10% of the company’s revenue. The brand launched a new line of street hockey products there in 2016 in collaboration with local entrepreneurs.
Scandinavia
Bauer has been around for more than a century and has always been synonymous with hockey. The company is most famous for making products specific to the game including socks, gloves and helmets. However, it has recently begun to branch out into new markets such as street hockey and bike helmets. The brand currently has offices in Norway, Sweden and Finland, where it distributes its products and offers after-sales service. The company was purchased by the South Korean group LG back in 2015.
Although Bauer started out as a manufacturer of sporting goods, it has evolved into a bit of a fashion brand, with many people still associating it with hockey. It is currently one of the most popular sporting goods brands globally.
Rest Of World
Bauer has operations in nearly a dozen other countries, catering to all of the major continents. However, the brand still plays a big role in the sport it promotes, with many top players wearing Bauer products. The company has also seen considerable growth in emerging markets such as China and India, where it now operates more than 40 offices. In 2016, the company reported that more than half of its products were purchased in international markets.
Bauer is most well-known for its flagship product, the hockey stick. However, it also makes products for golf, tennis, motocross, boxing, volleyball and basketball. The brand will continue offering new products and introducing them to existing customers in international markets. According to the company, more about 10% of its products are exported around the world.
Bauer has always been committed to providing safe and comfortable products for all athletes. The brand also offers services for clubs, associations and schools, so they can provide their members with the best possible experience.
That’s a look at where you can find Bauer hockey equipment. While the brand started with skate blades, it continues to evolve with the times, catering to all sports and evolving with new products to stay fresh.