The love and enthusiasm for boxing and martial arts as athletes, trainers and coaches is the story behind the history of PAFFEN SPORT. And it began long before the company was founded in 1988.
Peter Paffen founds the company named after him out of his passion for boxing in Cologne.
As a former active boxer with more than 250 fights and thanks to his work as a trainer and coach in boxing, he knows exactly what martial artists need.
Friendships and relationships that have grown over decades in the amateur and professional world ensure that Paffen Sport equipment is enthusiastically received right from the start.
In the aftermath of reunification, the transfer of East German flagship athletes such as Henry Maske, Sven Ottke and Markus Beyer to the professional ranks triggers an unprecedented boxing boom. Paffen Sport supplies the professional equipment of choice.
Universum Boxpromotion also wants to equip its up-and-coming talents such as Dariusz Michalczewski, the Klitschkos and Regina Halmich in the best possible way. Paffen Sport becomes the exclusive supplier.
The close relationship with the German (Amateur) Boxing Association pays off in the following years: Paffen Sport becomes the official supplier of the then DABV (now DBV) and the 1996 German Olympic boxing team from 1993.
The company continues to grow and makes a name for itself as a professional outfitter. In addition to world champions such as Dariusz Michalczewski, it is the meteoric rise of the brothers Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko and the first German women's boxing world champion Regina Halmich that help to make the name Paffen Sport known in Europe and the world.
The company is now also expanding its business into other European countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, France and even Russia.
The rapid growth makes it necessary to expand. The premises in Cologne-Porz-Wahn are bursting at the seams. Fortunately, suitable premises were found nearby on a large former factory site in Cologne-Porz.
Paffen Sport recognises the opportunities of the internet early on and launches its first online shop.
After decades as an active player, trainer and outfitter in boxing, Peter Paffen prepares for his well-deserved retirement and holds initial talks with interested parties for an orderly handover. Paffen Sport has made a name for itself in Germany as one of the leading manufacturers of boxing equipment and so it is clear that the company will continue to operate under the same name.
In 2008, the search for a suitable successor came to an end: With the sale of Paffen Sport to the son of the well-known trainer and cutman Walter Knieps, exactly 20 years after it was founded, the next generation and a breath of fresh air came into the company.
The arrival of Oliver, who is supported by Walter and his brother Thomas in the early days, ensures that the company will not only continue to be run with a forward-looking approach and business expertise, but also by real boxing experts.
With the takeover, it is clear that Paffen Sport must reposition itself in a rapidly changing market environment. The focus is on increasing product quality, strengthening the brand, concentrating on strategic partnerships with other companies and martial artists, as well as a more central, larger and more representative location.
In order to improve product quality in terms of workmanship as well as ergonomic and anatomical aspects, detailed instructions for production and manufacturing are being drawn up. In addition, clear guidelines for product design and marketing are drawn up and a new and modern online shop is set up.
In 2010, a new location is found in Cologne-Rodenkirchen, which also offers better opportunities for growth.
The successes of the reorientation quickly become apparent. Not only is the brand able to assert itself in a competitive environment, the company continues to grow.
The company's ever-present presence on social media and major marketplaces also contributes to this.
Wladimir Klitschko, an old acquaintance and good friend, returns to Paffen Sport. The high product quality is ultimately the deciding factor in sourcing all the competition equipment and equipment for the Klitschko Training Camp from Paffen Sport.
New supply and equipment contracts are concluded with well-known companies, including FitnessFirst and Robinson, due to the ongoing boxing boom in hobby and leisure sports.
An in-house merchandise management system is introduced to digitalise purchasing, sales and warehousing and make them more efficient. At the same time, the warehouse outlet is expanded into a modern shopping experience.
A new generation of up-and-coming boxing talent is getting ready to win titles. As always, Paffen Sport is one of the first to be involved and enters into strategic partnerships with fighters such as Filip Hrgovic and Christina Hammer.
With the unexpected defeat of Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, a new, unorthodox star rises in the heavyweight sky: Tyson Fury. And after this fight, he is so enthusiastic about the brand that he only fights in Paffen Sport gloves. He also has his training camp completely fitted out by Paffen Sport.
Tyson Fury's enthusiasm is soon shared by other boxers from the island and the Commonwealth: Joseph Parker, John Hedges and Scott Forrest subsequently become brand ambassadors for Paffen Sport.
Internationally, the young German Sophie Alisch causes a stir in the boxing scene and on social media. She also decides - naturally - in favour of Paffen Sport as exclusive supplier.
The seriousness and exceptional quality of the brand becomes an interesting partner for more and more companies from the luxury sector: in addition to the Stanglwirt in Austria and other luxury hotels, Karl Lagerfeld also decides to work with Paffen Sport.
