Petzl’s mission is to create innovative tools and services that allow men and women to progress, position, and protect themselves in vertical environments, as well as to light their way in the dark.
Our history
It all began in the 1930s with one man: artisan and caver Fernand Petzl. Discover the key moments in the company’s evolution.
“My father was an artisan and a speleologist explorer. From early childhood on, I was immersed in the thrill of discovery. The pleasure of designing and then perfecting objects drove my father, Fernand Petzl. The company revolutionized activities connected with lighting and verticality.” Paul Petzl
The Petzl adventure began with Fernand Petzl’s passion for caving, a passion to which he dedicated his talents as a craftsman. Petzl expertise began to grow with the design and crafting of solutions for ascending, descending, belaying and moving about in the dark. In 1970, the first “Fernand Petzl” brand products were produced in a workshop in Saint-Nazaire-Les-Eymes, Isère, France. Since then, the Petzl company, established in 1975, has grown into an international enterprise, all the while preserving its personal feel and the passion that drove Fernand Petzl.
Petzl Solutions develops and deploys Petzl’s extensive expertise in the fields of training, experimentation and design of technical solutions, on an international scale. The department works to train people involved in verticality in the advising on, use and management of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Petzl Solutions also provides a space for discussion on usage techniques for our products. Our know-how allows us to provide technical responses to specific problems.
Our clients include the Petzl sales force, retailers, training centers, rescue and special response teams, and inter-professional groups.
Petzl Solutions’ expertise draws upon the following:
- in-depth knowledge of Petzl products and how to use them,
- Petzl technical know-how,
- extensive proficiency in risk analysis,
- availability of unique testing methods,
- a set of training modules,
- true training skills and a passion for sharing lessons based on field experience
Key figures
- Capital: 100 % family-owned
- Workforce: 750 employees around the world, including 500 in France
- Structure: 4 Petzl industrial facilities, of which 3 are in France and 1 in Malaysia