Karl and Gertrud Lenhart founded the Karl Lenhart Plastik + Metall wood lathing company in 1948. This company laid the foundations for LEKI Lenhart GmbH. The founder's personal dissatisfaction was the beginning of LEKI's unique development. Karl Lenhart, and avid skier, was dissatisfied with the quality and functionality of the ski poles which were available at that time. So, he started using his machinery to manufacture his own grips and baskets for ski poles.
Because Karl Lenhart also had experience in aircraft construction, he knew how to process aluminum and composites. He used these raw materials to manufacture his first ski poles and launched them on the market in 1970 under the name LEKI, which stands for the owner and the company headquarters - Lenhart in Kirchheim.
In 2013, another LEKI innovation changed the market. With the smallest packing size, minimum weight and simple handling – the folding pole was invented. Because of its versatility, the LEKI folding pole soon became extremely popular. Since then, poles have become essential for hiking and trail running.
Now in its third generation, LEKI remains a true family business with Friederike and Markus Lenhart as sole owners. They stand behind LEKI's core values: innovation, quality, enthusiasm, excellence, partnership and responsibility. 
