About Kelme
Kelme was founded in 1960 in Elche, widely regarded as the shoe capital of Spain.
In 1973, Kelme entered a transformative phase led by the Quiles brothers, whose vision and efforts propelled the brand forward, creating an iconic Spanish business legacy.
In 1977, the Kelme brand was officially launched in Spain, featuring a distinctive bear claw logo symbolizing an enterprising spirit and relentless pursuit of progress. The claw marks represent the brand’s philosophy of "Leave Your Mark," embodying the attitude of making a lasting impact wherever it goes.
In 1982, Kelme successfully developed its first professional football shoe. Since then, Kelme has provided high-performance footwear to top players globally, including Real Madrid’s Michel González, Valencia’s Gaizka Mendieta, Barcelona’s legendary goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta, iconic defender Miguel Ángel Nadal, and Inter Milan’s Iván Zamorano.
In 1990, Kelme made significant strides in basketball, with spokesperson Jordi Villacampa representing Spain in the FIBA Men's Basketball World Cup. That same year, renowned player Villacampa and the team Joventut de Badalona won the Spanish Basketball Cup, showcasing Kelme’s first professional basketball shoe, the Kelme Battleship. This marked Kelme’s official entry into the professional basketball footwear market.
In 1992, at the Barcelona Olympics, Kelme proudly sponsored the official attire for the Spanish team. In recognition of Kelme’s support and significant contributions, the Spanish Olympic Committee awarded the brand the prestigious Kelme Sports Value Medal.
In 1994, Kelme partnered with Real Madrid, signing a five-season agreement to become the club's official kit provider. This partnership marked a period of remarkable success, with Real Madrid winning the league championship in the 1995-96 season and achieving both the league and Super Cup titles in the 1996-97 season. In 1998, Real Madrid capped off this golden era by winning their seventh European Cup and the Intercontinental Cup, with Kelme proudly supplying the team’s gear throughout these iconic victories.
In 1994, Conchita Martinez, sponsored by Kelme, made history by winning Wimbledon, becoming the first Spanish player to secure a singles title at this prestigious tournament.
In 2000, Kelme sponsored Starbrand, playing a significant role in promoting the brand during the Tour de France and enhancing its visibility in the world of cycling.
In 2010, Kelme became the official sponsor of the Spanish Indoor Futsal League, solidifying its presence in the world of indoor sports and supporting the growth of futsal in Spain.
In June 2014, the Kelme brand officially entered the Chinese market, with Jinjiang Yuanxiang Clothing and Weaving Co., Ltd. acquiring the rights to the Kelme brand in China. Following a thorough analysis of the Chinese sports market, Kelme strategically chose to focus on football as its entry point, aiming to leverage its heritage in the sport to rapidly expand its presence in the Chinese football landscape.
In 2018, Kelme expanded its presence in Europe by entering the five major leagues and sponsoring several La Liga teams, including Espanyol, Alavés, Rayo Vallecano, and Huesca. This strategic move helped establish a robust corporate landscape for Kelme within European football.
In August 2021, Kelme became the official global sponsor of AFC national team events, entering into a strategic partnership with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). This collaboration aimed to support the successful hosting of several key events, including the World Cup Asian qualifiers, the 2022 Women's Football Asian Cup, the U23 Asian Cup, and the 2023 Asian Cup.
In February 2023, the Argentine Ambassador to China, Niu Wangdao, along with his delegation, visited Kelme Sports Goods Co., Ltd. for an inspection and exchange, fostering diplomatic and business relations between Argentina and Kelme.
In March 2023, Kelme became a new partner of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Association, providing support to the national team as they competed in the European Cup qualifiers.