Founded in 1912, the Upper Austrian family business Eska supplies armies all over the world with high-quality gloves produced in Austria. Fourth-generation managing director Paul Loos Jr. on disappointments, the Arctic and Covid-19.
Mr. Loos, what is Eska’s current situation in the military sector? Which countries does it currently supply, and are there any new customers in this area?
We supply our gloves to the military in Australia, Germany, Austria, France, England, Norway and a few other countries where we are not quite as well represented. Acquiring new customers is not possible at all at the moment due to the Covid situation.
What percentage of your total production is made up of military gloves?
It’s difficult to say, as it’s not a continuous business, but is tender-related. But as a rough estimate, I would say it’s around 30 percent. We also supply the police and fire department, which is where we equip Austria on a large scale.
Do you still supply the combat gloves for the armed forces?
No, we produced the combat glove for many years and supplied around 10,000 to 12,000 pairs to the army, but they have now opted for a different product. Our Arktis model is new, and the army is buying several hundred pairs of it. This glove is a really great product, with which we won the ISPO Award and the Red Dot Design Award. It is waterproof, consists of 160 individual parts and is actually two pairs of gloves in one: finger glove and mitten. It has a very high tactile sensitivity and can be used with any touchscreen-operated device.
How did it come about that your company produces for the military?
This has built up over the years. Most of our products are developed specifically for the user – so it started with development orders. We then contacted the respective countries and proposed solutions. It can take up to four or five years of development before you get an order like this. Generally speaking, you have to say that the glove is a product that is overlooked and underestimated. Yet it is so important, because soldiers use it to equip their hands, which they use for everything.
You mentioned the coronavirus pandemic earlier – to what extent has this changed the business?
Of course, business has got worse. You can no longer talk to people, nothing is moving, people are trying to save money everywhere. Unfortunately, it has definitely become more difficult, and you can’t make up for what you don’t have today. Fortunately, we have a broad base and are doing everything we can to keep our employees. I wish everyone out there all the best – let’s make sure we get through the crisis safely. Don’t hang your head and keep fighting!
Click here to the other articles in our series “5 questions to” and here for more articles about Eska.
