The origins of Indiana: from hobby to international brand
The story of Indiana began in 1989 in the modest laundry room of Christof Peller's parents in Herrliberg on Lake Zurich. Driven by his passion for board sports, Peller made his first handmade skateboards. As a teenager deeply rooted in the skate scene of the 1980s, he used his woodworking skills to create skateboards of outstanding quality. Soon the reputation of his high-quality boards spread, which enabled the move to Wald/ZH in 1997, where a larger workshop was rented to meet the increasing demand.
In the early 2000s, Indiana began experimenting with different materials such as wood, fiberglass and carbon titanal to create the best skateboards on the market. This innovative spirit was reflected in the continuous development of products that were appreciated by professional skaters and recreational riders alike.
A significant milestone was winning the ISPO Brand New Award in 2000, which brought Indiana international recognition. Indiana skateboards, known for their outstanding quality and innovative design, set new standards in the scene. The graphic designer Jan Indermühle contributed significantly to this innovative design. Team riders such as Noemi Reichel from Wetzikon, Maurus Strobel from Zurich and the Italian Luca Giammarco from Turin, who were all European and world champions in slalom skateboarding, strengthened Indiana's reputation as a top brand in the international skateboarding scene.
Further proof of Indiana's success was the victory of German Bassi Haller from Stuttgart, who was the first German to win the Downhill World Cup in South Africa on Indiana boards in 2005.
In 2009, Indiana ventured into water sports and founded the Indiana SUP brand. The roots of the SUP brand were closely linked to the DNA of the skateboard story, which was launched together with Maurus Strobel. Indiana SUP quickly gained recognition on Swiss waters and experienced a breakthrough in the up-and-coming water sport of stand-up paddling, which was the fastest growing water sport worldwide.
In 2021, Indiana was hit hard by a devastating fire at the former Bührer tractor factory in Hinwil. 30 years of work and valuable materials were lost, amounting to a total loss. Despite this setback, Christof Peller showed resilience and creativity by quickly finding new ways to rebuild Indiana. He took the opportunity to return with new ideas and products, including the innovative balance boards, which serve as both training equipment for professionals and fun equipment for families.
The merger of two renowned Swiss companies, Micro and Indiana, marks a significant turning point in the history of urban mobility and boardsports. This unique partnership combines the strengths of Micro, a pioneer in micromobility, and Indiana, a well-known brand in the skateboarding scene. The history of this cooperation is closely linked to the personalities and visions of Wim Ouboter, the inventor of the Micro scooter, and Christof Peller, the founder of Indiana.
With over 50 years of combined experience in roller and board sports, both companies focus on values such as sustainability, innovative spirit and commitment to quality. These values are also reflected in their purist design, which fits perfectly with urban mobility. Micro's acquisition of the global distribution of Indiana skateboards and balance boards will combine the expertise of Wim Ouboter and Christof Peller to drive product development, sales and marketing internationally.
Despite this close collaboration, Micro and Indiana remain independent companies. The skateboards and balance boards will continue to be produced in Europe and sold under the established brand name. Thanks to the synergies between Micro and Indiana, customers can benefit from a wider range of high-quality and durable mobility products.
A look into the future
The partnership between Micro and Indiana is a shining example of how friendship, shared values and a spirit of innovation can come together to create something great. Together, they are working to shape the mobility of the future in a sustainable and high-quality way. In doing so, Indiana remains true to its vision: to create products that inspire from the road to the ocean - a promise that has grown from 35 years of company history and continues to hold true.
Indiana Skateboards is more than just a brand today; it is a symbol of quality, innovation and passion. With a rich history and a promising future, Indiana continues to set the standard in the world of boardsports and urban mobility.
