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Running and ski brand
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Karhu is a Finnish sports brand (also a beer brand) which originated in 1916. The brand logo is a Bear with an M going through it. Karhu is also famous for making skiing equipment.The company was formed to make discuses and javelins and provided javelins that filled the first four places at the 1029 Antwerp Olympic Games. Also in Antwerp the "Flying Finns" took five gold medals on the track, wearing Karhu spikes. By the 1970s Karhu had sold over one million pairs of running shoes worldwide. History Early Success The brand was started in Finland in 1916 as Ab Sport Artiklar Oy and using a bear as its logo, before changing it's name to Karhu (Finnish for Bear) in the 1920's. Karhu continued to grow and in the 1930's was worn by Paavo Nurmi. Karhu survives WW2 by making military goods and clothing and shortly after the war sells Adidas the three stripe trademark for (the equivelant of) 1600 euros and two bottles of Whiskey. By the 1908's the brand is startuing to struggle and sells off its outdoor shoe division to Merrell. However, a collaboration of research and design with the University of Jyvaskyla leads to the development of Fulcrum technology. Relaunch The brand is taken over by industry veterans Huub Valkenburg and Jay Duke in the early 2000's and begins a rapid transformation into a modern american styled running brand built on it's strong Finnish traditions. Karhu Running Karhu's main running line is based on their Fulcrum Technology, developed with the University of Jyvaskyla since the 1980s. There are several models in the line, although no off road or trail shoes. Runner's World Award Karhu Fulcrum Strong won "Best Debut" in Runner's World March 2009. Finland Track & Field Team In 2009 Karhu took over from Nike as official outfitter of the Finnish National Track & Field Team. Karhu Originals Karhu Originals are a range of retro inspired european style footwear and was nominated for "Sneaker of the Year 2005" at the Global Sports Style Awards in Munich 2005. Marketing slogans *Karhu is every runner's right *Creating momentum *Finland's legendary running brand 
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