Leki consolidates: One brother buys out the other

The familial feud and years of consumer confusion between Leki trekking poles and Lekisport poles is over.

As of January, Klaus Lenhart, owner and president of Germany-based Leki, has acquired Lekisport AG of Switzerland, owned by his brother.

Lenhart says he’s glad the two companies are now in one hand: “Because of the similar company names there was often confusion as well as legal uncertainties about the trademark,” he said. The Swiss Lekisport will continue to have its headquarters in that country and will continue to produce its own products for that market. Products may be tweaked for different countries, as needed, a company statement said.

Greg Wozer, vice president and head of the Leki USA division, said the sale should have no effect on North American sales or his business. In addition, Leki USA will not be involved with sales, distribution or servicing of Leki Lenhart product from Switzerland, he said.

SNEWS View: We have heard torrid tales of nasty feuding that originally caused the companies and the brotherd to part. We hope that years of consumer confusion as a result will now be over. And for the SNEWS trivia question of the day, where does the name “Leki” come from? It’s a combination of “Le” from the last name of Lenhart and “Ki” from the German village of Kirchheim where the company was founded. Ergo, Leki.