66 Years of Held

2012 saw Held celebrate its 66th anniversary. It all started in 1946 with the production of fashion and driving gloves. Due to a declining market in these an alternative market had to be found. In 1975 production was switched to motorcycle gloves, which in the years since has also been expanded to include the production of motorcycle garments, boots, helmets and accessories.

In the meantime the enterprise, now operated by the third generation of Held's, has developed into an internationally known and renowned supplier of motorcycle clothing and accessories. In November 2012 the German motorcycle trade magazine "Bike und Business" elected Held "Best Brand 2012 for motorcycle garments.

Since 2006 Europe's biggest bike magazine MOTORRAD has surveyed it's readers opinions for the best brands in biking. Held has now been elected "Best Brand for gloves and tank bags" seven times in a row. A further 25 product tests wins in various motorcycle magazines in recent years emphasise the outstanding quality of Held products.

Held employs over 100 staff at its office, production and warehousing facility in Burgberg, Southern Germany and a further 250 people in Hungary at its joint venture glove and luggage production facility.

Held's pioneering useage of carbon fibre in 2001, kangaroo and stingray hides in 2005 has led to some of the best gloves available with MOTORRAD readers giving Held gloves a massive lead over both Dainese and Alpinestars in second and third places.