Finding out more from Karolin Volke and Friederike Schulz
Sports Compression Wear: from the initial idea to market launch
The beginning of the month saw Bauerfeind compression clothing launched for the first time with Sports Compression Wear. We asked Product Manager Karolin Volke and Marketing Manager Friederike Schulz, Bauerfeind Sports, how the new products were developed and what characterizes them.
Where did the idea come from to develop compression clothing for sports?
Friederike: Athletes have requested compression wear for a long time – leggings in particular. So, with our expertise in circular knitting, it made sense to develop a product that’s suitable for exactly this target group. Globally, the demand for compression pants is very high. We’ve had requests primarily from the American and Australian sports markets. Particularly in team sports, it’s standard to wear leggings with compression during exertion and recovery.
After the decision was made: how did you proceed from the start of the project to developing the first samples?
Karolin: We analyzed the national and international market for compression wear and examined products from competitors. We then worked out what our products needed to bring to the table, and which materials and technologies would offer added value to customers. Compression is what makes Bauerfeind stand out. That’s why it’s our mission to implement our compression quality in clothing as well. The products were then developed with our partner in Italy. Experts from our BIC were also involved in the process: quality inspections of material and compression by Julia Fabrowsky’s team and Gerti Stegmann for general challenges relating to the product. Jörg Mildner’s team then supported us with numerous wearing tests and tests concerning fit.
How come the Compression Wear is being knitted in Italy and not in Zeulenroda?
Karolin:The development and manufacture of such a product at Bauerfeind requires innovative machine technology in Production and in the BIC, which would call for big investments and time to build up know-how. That’s why we were looking for a partner with many years of experience and expertise in specific large cylinder machines. Italy, Lombardy in particular, is the knitting center of Europe, similar to Zeulenroda in Germany in the past. But as with our Sports Socks, we don’t pass on all our expertise to our partner. Rather, colleagues in Italy are instructed to knit the Compression Wear in such a way that it meets the same exacting standards as products made in Zeulenroda. We created a shared understanding of our quality requirements.
If we look at the finished product, what characterizes the new Compression Wear?
Karolin: When we develop new products, innovations that help us stand out from the competition are key. That’s why, in addition to the compression zones, we wanted to incorporate zones that stimulate the muscles and promote proprioception. It’s an effect we already know from our supports. We then had the idea for the 3D Power Dots which stimulate the muscles with their three-dimensional knitted fabric structure around the arms and legs, thus promoting sensorimotor function. In shirts, we included 3D Power Dots Air around the shoulder, back, and chest muscles which still guarantee enough breathability despite their three-dimensional structure. To provide maximum wearing comfort for the upper body, we’re using a different kind of elastane than around the arms to offer only moderate compression. This means the arms get the full power and the body plenty of freedom of movement.
Friederike: We didn’t just develop individual items but a complete portfolio. It consists of short and long tights as well as short and long shirts for men and women, adapted to the relevant anatomy to ensure the perfect fit and compression. Our Sports products are also usually allocated to a specific type of sport. But we’re actually positioning the Sports Compression Wear universally as a whole new product category. It’s not just clothing but a training tool with a physiological function for every type of sport!
And lastly, a question that will be of interest in particular to our employees: when can staff get their hands on Compression Wear?
Friederike:The Sport Compression Shirts and Tights are a whole new product division for Bauerfeind Sports. There’s already been quite a demand from our focus markets in the DACH area, Australia, Asia, and the USA as well as our online shop. To fully meet this demand first of all, we decided to start selling to staff in November. There will be an internal communication about this. It’s looking good that the products will be available in time to be an excellent Christmas present.