Polartec founder honoured at OutDoor
14/07/2014
In the 1960s, Mr Feuerstein took over the running of family business Malden Mills in Massachusetts and invested in the development of a fabric that launched in 1981.
Polarfleece was registered under the brand name Polartec Climate Control Fabrics. Time magazine listed Polartec as one of the 100 Most Important Inventions of the 20th Century. “The development of Polarfleece revolutionised the way that we dress to protect ourselves from the cold,” it said.
In 1995, shortly after investing heavily in research, development and production of recycled fleece, a fire destroyed the entire production site. Mr Feuerstein, who was 70 at the time, continued to pay salaries while the factory was rebuilt, reportedly costing $400 million dollars, of which the insurance only paid three quarters. Feuerstein became known as the “The Mensch of Malden Mills” for his commitment to his employees and the town of Lawrence.
Mr Feuerstein left the company in 2004. Polartec now offers more than 300 different technologies, designed to keep users warm, dry and most importantly comfortable, in a wide range of outdoor activities.
Aaron Feuerstein was chosen by an international panel of leading journalists and industry representatives: Arne Arens (The North Face, Switzerland), Laurent Belluard (Montagne, France), Dr. Bene Bendedikt (Alpin, Germany), Simon Baseley (OCC Outdoor, United Kingdom), Eugenio Di Maria (EDM Publications, Italy), Horst O. Frankl (SAZ, Germany), Sandro Parisotto (Scarpa, Italy), Andy Schimeck (Marmot, Germany), Jordi Vilagut (Diffusion Sport, Spain) and Antje von Dewitz (Vaude, Germany).
Share this story:
