At Skinfit, we are an Austrian family business based in Koblach in Vorarlberg. Werner Battisti founded Skinfit in 1997. Since 2026, his son Tobias Battisti has been gradually taking over responsibility as the second generation and has served as Managing Director since 2026. In doing so, we are combining our heritage and experience with a new phase of corporate development.
Our beginnings: born from sports
Our history began in 1997 in Vorarlberg. Werner Battisti was a passionate triathlete himself and developed functional apparel out of a concrete athletic necessity. The products were intended to perform during intensive physical activity, regulate moisture, and be combinable for various disciplines.
What began in an attic gradually developed into an independent Austrian sportswear brand. Endurance sports were not just a market, but the starting point for our product concept and our daily work.
The second generation begins in 2026
Since 2026, Tobias Battisti, the son of our founder Werner Battisti, has been increasingly taking on responsibility for the future of Skinfit. Tobias has been Managing Director since 2026 and continues to lead the company together with the existing management team.
For us, this generational change is not an abrupt break. Knowledge, experience, and the core concept of the brand are being preserved. At the same time, the second generation is contributing new perspectives in brand management, e-commerce, communication, sales, and the further development of our product range.
What being family-run means to us
Being family-run is more than just a statement about our origins for us. The family is actively involved in the company's operations and bears responsibility for long-term decisions. The product, brand, and economic development are not viewed solely from a short-term seasonal perspective.
However, that does not mean that every decision is automatically correct or only made within the family. Skinfit is supported by an experienced team. Expertise from product development, procurement, sales, marketing, logistics, customer service, and our shops flows into our decisions.
Our responsibility to the original idea
The core of Skinfit remains intact in the second generation: We develop functional clothing for people who enjoy moving and doing so intensively. Our products should be easy to combine and suitable for use in multiple sports.
At the same time, we are further developing this approach. The new Skinfit Layering System replaces the previous system logic and organizes our range into Base Layer, Mid Layer, Insulation Layer, Top Layer, and Pants. This makes it clearer which role a product plays in an outfit and how it interacts with other layers.
Rooted in Koblach and open to new paths
Our corporate headquarters in Koblach remains the center of our work. This is where concepts, patterns, samples, and prototypes are created. This is where we develop designs, check fits, and test new products. Final series production is carried out in collaboration with specialized production partners, depending on the product.
Our Vorarlberg heritage shapes us, but it is not intended to limit us. We want to strengthen our position in Austria while reaching more people in Germany, Switzerland, and other markets. The second generation therefore stands for both continuity and further development.
A family business thrives on people
Skinfit does not just consist of the Battisti family. Many employees, shop teams, partners, and athletes have been with us for years. Their knowledge and their closeness to our customers are an essential part of the brand.
When we speak of the Skinfit Family, we therefore do not only mean family ownership or management structures. We also mean the community of people who develop, test, provide advice on, sell, and use our products to achieve their own athletic goals.
Conclusion
We are a family-run Austrian sportswear brand from Vorarlberg. Founded in 1997 by Werner Battisti, Skinfit has been continued by the second generation since 2026, with Tobias Battisti as Managing Director. Our goal is to preserve the athletic and regional identity of the brand while consistently developing it further for the future.
Frequently asked questions
Is Skinfit a family business?
Yes. We are a family-run company based in Koblach in Vorarlberg.
Who founded Skinfit?
Werner Battisti founded Skinfit in 1997. His experiences as a triathlete shaped the original product concept.
Who is leading Skinfit in the second generation?
Since 2026, Tobias Battisti, the son of the founder, has been taking on responsibility as the second generation. He has been Managing Director since 2026.
What is Werner Battisti's role today?
Werner Battisti remains connected to Skinfit as its founder, entrepreneur, and an important source of knowledge, while operational responsibility is gradually transitioning to the second generation.
Is all of our clothing produced in Austria?
No. Development, pattern creation, samples, and prototypes are produced in Koblach. For series production, we work with specialized production partners depending on the product.
