The company was founded by Hans Deuter in Augsburg-Oberhausen. At the turn of the century, the company supplied the Bavarian Royal Mail with mailbags and post sacks.
Expansion - The "mechanised sailcloth and linen weaving, sackcloth, freight, car and horse blanket manufacturing firm" was expanded to include a tent rental department.
First major client - Satchels, backpacks, knapsacks, belts, mess tents and store tents were in increasing demand, especially for the military.
A horse of the army with Deuter saddle bags.
Hans Deuter starts manufacturing suitcases, backpacks, tents and truck canopies. The bag production division becomes a joint-stock company. The tent rental section reaches its space limit of 10.000 sq metres. "Deuter-Zelthallen" exhibit for the first time at Oktoberfest.
The company is now named Hans Deuter. Luggage and leather goods are added to the product range of backpacks, tents and tarpaulins.
Explorer Willi Rickmer leads an expedition to the remotest corners of Pamir - Deuter provides backpacks, bags, canvas and tents. From early on, Deuter's product development is strongly influenced by the experience and the feedback of alpinists and mountaineers. Up to the 1970s the company equips more or less all major German expeditions.
Deuter TAUERN - The first real test for Deuter TAUERN backpacks on the Nanga Parbat Expedition. Even then, Deuter's TAUERN set high standards and became a household name for the next 30 years. The following years see Deuter equip several expeditions.
The first ascent of the North Face of the Eiger from July 22 - 24 with a Deuter backpack. Ludwig Vörg, Firtz Kasparek and Heinrich Harrer were his team mates.
All equipment and tent production was taken over for the armed forces.
By developing new products, the aim was to use the existing capacity to its best and to expand.
Hermann Buhl's first ascent of the Nange Parbat (8.125 m) - Deuter equips the expedition with backpacks, bags and tents. Some of the Tauern backpacks were manufactured from perlon, an alternative to nylon. In the following years, Deuter equips numerous expeditions. The feedback strongly influences the development of new, innovative products.
Hermann Buhl during his first ascent of the Nanga Parbat with Deuter tents.
The family business is changed to a joint-stock company. The company is now called "Deuter Industriewerke AG-Augsburg".
The Hallenbau branch became an independent branch: "Deuter Hallenbau GmbH, Augsburg". One of the many Deuter-equipped expeditions reaches the summit of Nanga Parbat by way of the extremely difficult Diamir Flank.
A step into the future - Deuter produce the first range of Nylon backpacks. It soon becomes the new fabric norm.
Deuter is recognised as the leading manufacturer of backpacks, suitcases and bags in Germany.
Production and warehousing space for the suitcase factory doubles to 40,600 sq m. For the fourth time, Deuter supplies the German Olympic team with sports and travel bags.
The very first 'aircomfort' is born and patented. The mesh carry system is completely revolutionary and redefines the rucksack market.
A new era begins - Mountaineers, mountain guides and bikers join the development team and have a direct influence on the collection.
World famous mountaineer, enroles as a partner and technical advisor at Deuter. He tests on his expeditions new developments in the most extreme conditions up until 1991.
01.01.1989 Separation of the two product sectors, travel and backpacks, from the main company "Deuter AG" into "Deuter Sport & Leder GmbH".
Mountain biking becomes more and more popular at the beginning of the nineties. Together with Andi Heckmair, Deuter develop a totally new kind of backpack - the bike backpack. The first model, BIKE I with the new AIRSTRIPES-back, is launched.
To ensure the quality, functionality and longevity of its sewn products at a competitive price level, Deuter has to move its production from Germany. In 1994 Deuter joins forces with Korean production partner Duke. What starts out with 35 sewing machines in Vietnam turns into a highly specialised backpack production line that spans three locations in Vietnam with a total of 3.500 employees. Duke exclusively manufacturers all Deuter backpacks and accessories.
Deuter introduces a new essential outdoor-line: the sleeping bag.
A close partnership begins with the German Association of ski- and mountain guides. Kitted out with Deuter backpacks and sleeping bags, their advice on improvements is invaluable.
An all-time classic is born - Later to become incredibly popular, the AIRCOMFORT-FUTURA range emerges.
Once again, Deuter is confirmed as the market leader in Germany. Concentration on the important issues, a long history of tradition and the collective experience of an expert team are the key success factors.
Deuter sets up "Deuter USA" subsidiary.
The multifunctional AC-LITE series with the AIRCOMFORT carry system wins everyone over with its light weight. More specifically it sets a new trend with its innovative design.
Sleeping bags become more and more important. The range includes kid's models and 4-season down sleeping bags.
Deuter developed a new backpack concept with their SHIELD System. The integrated and TÜV/GS-approved back protector offers bikers and winter sports fans more safety. The ATTACK bike model wins the Eurobike Gold Award for innovation.
The Schwan Stabilo Group purchases Deuter. After 20 years with the brand, Bernd Kullmann becomes CEO.
SL WOMEN'S FIT - The design of the SL models is perfectly trimmed and optimised for the women's anatomy by a team of passionate (female) athletes. One of the team was mountain sports pro Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner, who brought her knowledge of climbing 8000 m peaks to the table.
Deuter is a founding member of the European Outdoor Conservation Association. EOCA is a non-profit organization of the European outdoor industry, which supports nature conservation projects around the world.
Deuter becomes a bluesign® system partner, the world's strictest standard for environmental protection, occupational safety and consumer protection. Together we are working on improving our manufacturing processes.
Tall people can enjoy a perfect fit with the Extra Long EL-models: Favourite Deuter backpack models are available to suit taller people with extended back lengths by 6-9 cm.
SPECTRO - Deuter presents a new lightweight range equipped with a new Aircomfort back system: the AIRCOMFORT FLEXLITE SYSTEM.
The sleeping bags Exosphere and Neosphere are introduced to the market. The stretchable sleeping bags make a huge impact with their innovative construction and high comfort.
Deuter becomes a member of the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF). As a member of the independent initiative, which is committed to high working and social standards, we are systematically reviewing the working conditions at our production partners in Asia and our company headquarters in Gersthofen.
Deuter develops the school backpack Ypsilon, which is specifically designed for the anatomy and requirements of children.
Since its move to Gersthofen in 1997 Deuter has grown by 800 %. Committed to continuously guarantee the highest quality and to handly the growing workload efficiently, Deuter builds new headquarters. The new building utilizes state-of-the-art engineering and resource efficient technologies such as geothermal energy to lower the environmental impact.
Martin Riebel becomes Managing Director of Deuter Sport GmbH.
Deuter offers its first BLUESIGN® products: the KIKKI (bluesign® approved fabric) children‘s backpack and the DREAMLAND children‘s sleeping bag (bluesign® product).
In April, Deuter receives the "Best Practice Award" from the Fair Wear Foundation for the "brave investments in the production plants and the company center" to reduce overtime. Deuter again achieves top scores with 90 of 98 possible points, and thus the "leader status" in the annual control of the independent organizations.
The "Textilbündnis" is a initiative started by the German Federal Government. Its goal are social, ecological and economic improvements along the textile supply chain.
The Gravity Series embraces many years of experience and the highest professional competence: developed by competition climbers, passionate boulders, mountain guides, expedition leaders and other top athletes, the Deuter climbing collection fulfils the special requirements of both use in the hall and in the alpine environment.
The Attack – prime father of the protector backpack – gets a modern facelift and a lot of new features. Equipped with SAS-Tec's lightest and most advanced protector, protector holders, a new helmet holder, goggle & smartphone pocket as well as a brand-new departure-oriented carrier system, the attack is ready for the future.
With the Attack, Deuter introduces the Smartphone Pocket which allows quick access to the phone without removing the backpack.
Down does not slip when kicking thanks to the innovative PowerBox construction with a waffle structure, which results from the combination of longitudinal chambers and transverse stretch seams on the sleeping bag’s upper side from the knee down.
The new VariFit-Slide adaptation guarantees perfect fit of the support system for different back lengths.
Tall people can enjoy a perfect fit with the Extra Long EL-models: Favourite Deuter backpack models are available to suit taller people with extended back lengths by 6-9 cm.
SPECTRO - Deuter presents a new lightweight range equipped with a new Aircomfort back system: the AIRCOMFORT FLEXLITE SYSTEM.
Since its move to Gersthofen in 1997 Deuter has grown by 800 %. Committed to continuously guarantee the highest quality and to handly the growing workload efficiently, Deuter builds new headquarters. The new building utilizes state-of-the-art engineering and resource efficient technologies such as geothermal energy to lower the environmental impact.
The "Textilbündnis" is a initiative started by the German Federal Government. Its goal are social, ecological and economic improvements along the textile supply chain.