Thule Pack ‘n Pedal
Thule Lightning
Thule Adventure Team
First Thule Concept Store – Berlin
Thule Combibox
From left: A Pike Trap, Headlamp Grilles
Erik Thulin
In 1942, the Thule Group was founded by the Thulin family, when Erik Thulin, a true lover of the outdoors, put the Thule name on a Pike Trap that he designed and began to sell to the fisherman of Scandinavia. It wasn’t long before he added other practical things to his company’s portfolio. Business boomed, gaining profitably year after year.
By the 1960s, the company began to concentrate its business on car-related products, and before long the first roof rack was born. New product categories were added in the 70’s and new markets all over the world (e.g. US, Japan) were opened.
The Thulin family sold the company in 1979, but the entrepreneurship and drive has remained and the Thule Group continued to grow both organically and through acquisitions ever since. Today the Thule Group is a world leader in products and brands that make it easy for people to transport their equipment securely, safely, and in style. We are an outdoor company, continuing the tradition of the Thule Group by developing smart solutions that are safe and easy to use.
Below you find some milestones in our history.
Thule launches Thule Pack ‘n Pedal, a new, smart and stylish bike bag and carrier system. The Thule Group awarded Action Sports Vendor of the Year by American sports retailer REI (one of the worlds leading retailers for outdoor gear and sporting goods).
Thule opens its first Thule Concept Store in Sweden - Thule Concept Store Malmö. Thule Lightning – The World’s First Hyper Roof Box – is launched in cooperation with the hyper car manufacturer Koenigsegg.
The Thule Crossover bags collection is introduced. Divestment of the integrated roof rail business. The start of Thule Adventure Team – world leading multisport team.
New consumer-oriented strategy with a new global retail concept. Divestment of the North American towbar business. Thule EuroPower bike carrier is the first bike carrier for e-bikes.
Towbars First Thule Concept store opens. The Thule Group acquires Sportrack and Case Logic in North America as well as towbar business in the Netherlands as well as North America.
The Thule Group acquires horse trailers business and business linked to the recreational vehicle industry.
The bestseller Thule 591 ProRide bike carrier is launched. The Thule Group acquires König snowchains in Italy.
The Thule Hull-a-Port kayak carrier is launched. The product will become the most sold Thule product in the US.
Launch of the first towbar-mounted bike carrier.
The iconic Thule Combi-box 250 is launched.
Thule introduces surfboard carriers to the outdoor market in the US. World famous surfer Robby Naish, Hawaii, becomes a brand ambassador.
The first Thule’s ski box is launched. World famous alpine skier Ingemar Stenmark becomes the figurehead of Thule.
Thule introduces Classic 68 roof rack – an innovation with its quick fastener making the mounting easier and simpler.
The first ski rack is introduced.
The first car product is introduced: the headlamp grilles to protect the car lamps when driving on dumpy roads.
The pike trap is the first Thule products that sees the daylight.
Founded 1942.