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| {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}} | ||
| {{Infobox company | {{Infobox company | | ||
| name = Orca | | |||
| type = ] | | |||
| logo = ] | | |||
| foundation = 1995| | |||
| location = ], ] | | |||
| key_people = Scott Unsworth, Founder, CEO | | |||
| industry = Sports Apparel | | |||
| num_employees = 25 staff| | |||
| products = Wetsuits, Triathlon apparel, Cycling gear, General sports apparel | | |||
| homepage = }} | |||
| }} | |||
| '''Orca''' is |
'''Orca''' is a ] company that makes ]s and sports apparel, primarily for ]. | ||
| It is a company committed to protecting the environment, particularly in support of the oceans. | |||
| == History == | == History == | ||
| The company was founded in ] in 1995 by Scott Unsworth,<ref>{{cite web | title = Our Story| work = www.orca.com | date = 4 July 2010 | url = http://www.orca.com/our-story.html}}</ref> a former New Zealand age group triathlon champion. He decided to start manufacturing wetsuits after discovering that traditional wetsuits were not suitable for swimming. In Auckland Unsworth founded a company called Performance Speedsuits Ltd.,<ref>{{cite web | title = Our Story| work = www.orca.com | date = 4 July 2010 | url = http://www.orca.com/our-story.html}}</ref> that manufactured swimming-friendly speed suits, and these speed suits gained much popularity. It was eventually renamed "Orca". | |||
| Orca is an iconic brand in the world of triathlon and other water sports. It was founded in 1995 by Scott Unsworth, a professional triathlete from New Zealand who, after an injury, decided to revolutionize the wetsuit market. He began by designing "the fastest wetsuit on the market," giving birth to the Predator wetsuit in the early 1990s. | |||
| In 2008 the company agreed a global distribution deal with Spanish cycling giant ].<ref>{{cite web | title = The Triathlete Magazine blog: Orca Signs Global Distribution Partnership with Orbea for 2008| work = www.triathletemag.blogspot.com | date = 24 April 2008 | url = http://triathletemag.blogspot.com/2007/07/orca-signs-global-distribution.html}}</ref> | |||
| Buoyed by the initial success, Unsworth began selling his suits from the back of his car to friends and acquaintances in New Zealand, quickly gaining recognition in the athletic community. | |||
| By the late 1990s, Orca had established itself as a world leader in triathlon. At the 2000 Olympic Games, two-thirds of the competing triathletes wore Orca wetsuits, cementing its reputation as the brand of choice for elite athletes. In addition, in 2004, Orca was the official clothing supplier to the New Zealand Olympic team. | |||
| In 2008, the renowned bike brand Orbea acquired the distribution rights to Orca and moved its headquarters to the Basque Country, a region with deep roots in triathlon and water sports. | |||
| With more than 25 years as a market leader in triathlon wetsuits, Orca naturally evolved into other water sports such as open water swimming. In 2021, the brand added other disciplines such as freediving, and a year later, in 2022, with almost three decades of experience in the wetsuit and watersports industry, Orca entered the world of surfing. | |||
| == Sustainability == | |||
| For years, Orca has been dedicated to minimizing its environmental impact by adopting sustainable practices. The company's mission is clear: to eliminate plastics from the oceans and promote a future where marine life thrives. To achieve this, Orca focuses on innovation in materials and processes, using recycled and renewable resources and emphasizing the durability of its products. | |||
| The company has taken on a number of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact throughout the life of its products. These include eliminating all single-use plastics four years ago and replacing them with more sustainable options in its packaging, which is the first triathlon brand to do so. | |||
| Its connection to the ocean transcends a passion for water sports, and is reflected in a deep commitment to sustainability and marine conservation. | |||
| == Products == | == Products == | ||
| Orca specialises in high range wetsuits, with most wetsuits starting at around $250 up to $700<ref>{{cite web | title = Triathlon Wetsuits| work = www.orca.com | date = 4 July 2010 | url = http://www.orca.com/category/wetsuits?currency=usd}}</ref> with many of its products available worldwide. The company is recognised as a leader in introducing new technologies into triathlon. The Orca Apex 2 wetsuit uses AirLite - a world first ] technology. There are tiny air pockets trapped in the neoprene to provide increased buoyancy. The Orca 3.8 was the first wetsuit to feature an AirRelease panel. This is the world's first breathable neoprene, allowing heat and moisture to be transferred away from the wearer, while remaining water resistant. The all-purpose Sonar remains Orca's best selling triathlon wetsuit.<ref>{{cite web | title = The Bargain Corner| work = bargaincorner.store | url = https://bargaincorner.store/}}</ref> | |||
| Orca's first wetsuit, the Predator, has been one of the brand's most recognized products. Over the years, Orca has developed and launched high-performance wetsuits for various disciplines such as triathlon, open water, surfing, freediving, and swimrun. Although neoprene is the core of its business, it also designs clothing and accessories for these sports. | |||
| Orca has a research and development team dedicated to achieving the highest quality standards, which is evident in the durability of its products. | |||
| == Sponsorships == | == Sponsorships == | ||
| Orca sponsors a number of leading triathletes, including 2x 70.3 World Champion ], recently retired Olympic champion ], ] athletes including ], Courtney Atkinson, ] and Debbie Tanner, and ] competitors including Craig Alexander and Cameron Brown. Orca also sponsors a number of national bodies including Triathlon New Zealand, Bike NZ, and the ]. | |||
| Orca is committed to long-term sponsorships and relationships with athletes such as Sebastian Kienle, who has been professionally associated with the brand for many years and is still a part of the brand today. | |||
| In 2004 Orca was the official apparel supplier to the ].{{cn}} | |||
| In addition, Orca supports several elite triathletes, including New Zealand pro ], Australia's ], as well as ] and Eric Lagerstrom. It also has a partnership agreement with the . | |||
| ==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
Revision as of 11:17, 27 September 2024
.svg){kind=small} | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports Apparel |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Key people | Scott Unsworth, Founder, CEO |
| Products | Wetsuits, Triathlon apparel, Cycling gear, General sports apparel |
| Number of employees | 25 staff |
| Website | orca.com |
Orca is a New Zealand company that makes wetsuits and sports apparel, primarily for triathletes.
History
The company was founded in Auckland in 1995 by Scott Unsworth, a former New Zealand age group triathlon champion. He decided to start manufacturing wetsuits after discovering that traditional wetsuits were not suitable for swimming. In Auckland Unsworth founded a company called Performance Speedsuits Ltd., that manufactured swimming-friendly speed suits, and these speed suits gained much popularity. It was eventually renamed "Orca".
In 2008 the company agreed a global distribution deal with Spanish cycling giant Orbea.
Products
Orca specialises in high range wetsuits, with most wetsuits starting at around $250 up to $700 with many of its products available worldwide. The company is recognised as a leader in introducing new technologies into triathlon. The Orca Apex 2 wetsuit uses AirLite - a world first neoprene technology. There are tiny air pockets trapped in the neoprene to provide increased buoyancy. The Orca 3.8 was the first wetsuit to feature an AirRelease panel. This is the world's first breathable neoprene, allowing heat and moisture to be transferred away from the wearer, while remaining water resistant. The all-purpose Sonar remains Orca's best selling triathlon wetsuit.
Sponsorships
Orca sponsors a number of leading triathletes, including 2x 70.3 World Champion Sebastian Kienle, recently retired Olympic champion Hamish Carter, ITU athletes including Kris Gemmell, Courtney Atkinson, Tim Don and Debbie Tanner, and Ironman competitors including Craig Alexander and Cameron Brown. Orca also sponsors a number of national bodies including Triathlon New Zealand, Bike NZ, and the British Triathlon Federation.
In 2004 Orca was the official apparel supplier to the New Zealand Olympic team.
Notes
- "Our Story". www.orca.com. 4 July 2010.
- "Our Story". www.orca.com. 4 July 2010.
- "The Triathlete Magazine blog: Orca Signs Global Distribution Partnership with Orbea for 2008". www.triathletemag.blogspot.com. 24 April 2008.
- "Triathlon Wetsuits". www.orca.com. 4 July 2010.
- "The Bargain Corner". bargaincorner.store.
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