Our history
It all began in the 1930s with one man: artisan and caver Fernand Petzl. Discover the key moments in the company's evolution.
Fernand Petzl, a pioneer
"My father was an artisan and a speleologist explorer. From early childhood on, I was immersed in the thrill of discovery. The pleasure of designing and then perfecting objects drove my father, Fernand Petzl. The company revolutionized activities connected with lighting and verticality." Paul Petzl
Beginnings
The Petzl adventure began with Fernand Petzl's passion for caving, a passion to which he dedicated his talents as a craftsman. Petzl expertise began to grow with the design and crafting of solutions for ascending, descending, belaying and moving about in the dark. In 1970, the first "Fernand Petzl" brand products were produced in a workshop in Saint-Nazaire-Les-Eymes, Isère, France. Since then, the Petzl company, established in 1975, has grown into an international enterprise, all the while preserving its personal feel and the passion that drove Fernand Petzl.
Timeline
1936: Fernand Petzl starts exploring the Dent de Crolles in France
1950: Fernand Petzl and others explore the Gouffre Berger in France, the first 1000-meter cave descent
1968: Our first rope ascenders and descenders (BASIC, SIMPLE) are brought to market under the name Fernand Petzl
1973: The first Petzl mountaineering headlamp is invented
1975: Founding of the Petzl company in Crolles, France
1977: The first Petzl harnesses are produced
1990: The first products are designed specifically for the professional market
1991: The GRIGRI, the first self-braking belay device, is invented
1998: The TIBLOC, an ultra-compact rope ascender, is introduced
1999: Our US subsidiary is founded in Salt Lake City
2000: The first Petzl LED headlamp, the TIKKA, is introduced. Acquisition of ice axe and crampon manufacturer Charlet Moser
2004: ASAP mobile fall arrester
2006: The Petzl Foundation is created. Introduction of the EXO personal escape system for New York City firefighters
2008: Creation of Petzl Solutions for training and experimentation
2010: Opening of Petzl Manufacturing in Malaysia
2012: The NAO headlamp with REACTIVE LIGHTING technology
2013: ZIGZAG mechanical Prusik for tree care
2014: Petzl's subsidiaries in Spain and Germany are founded
2016: New GRIGRI + belay device
Want to know more?
Download the From the Deep: the Petzl Adventure book by Sophie Cuenot and Hervé Bodeau
Digital format (PDF) 59 Mo - French and English versions