THE HISTORY OF CAMPINGAZ

Campingaz - with over 70 years of experience

Campingaz was born from a love of camping and outdoor living, coupled with a desire to always create and innovate, Campingaz® products are instinctive and inspired, simple yet clever solutions based on over 70 years of expertise. Trusted by generations of consumers and barbecue enthusiasts, a trust that has been earned by creating safe, reliable, and well-designed products that never fail to deliver, time and time again.  

It’s the simple things that count... Often simple thoughts spark big ideas; in 1949, when a young man embarked on a camping holiday with his family, he could never have anticipated that would change the way in which people enjoying outdoor activities. He set about creating a revolutionary refillable cylinder; compact and convenient, economic and easy to use. 

Campingaz was born... and life outdoors was liberated. From the beach to the campsite, or from the garden to the hills, Campingaz® have changed the blueprint for outdoor cooking and adventure, each decade introducing revolutionary innovations. 

2017

Campingaz launches its premium gas barbecue collection, the Master Series. Combining all the Campingaz® innovative features and technologies, the Master Series have a further improved InstaClean® system, high-powered, stainless steel EvenTemp® burners and double-wall stainless steel lid, within a sleek and prestigious stainless steel body. The additional Searing Boost Station ensures steak searing perfection.

2016

Campingaz® is an extremely successful and renowned barbecue brand with significant market share** in the European market: No. 1 in France in volume in gas barbecues and planchas, No. 1 in Switzerland in volume and value, No. 1 in Italy in volume, No. 2 in Belgium and Netherlands in volume, and with rapid growth in Germany **Source GFK 2016

2014

Relaunch of the entire Campingaz® barbecue range. Based on extensive technology research and consumer studies, the innovation experts have developed a brand new line of state-of-the-art barbecues. Including groundbreaking technologies such as InstaClean® and EvenTemp®, the new barbecues were developed with consumer satisfaction in mind. Combined with the Campingaz Culinary Modular System®, the new 3 and 4 Series barbecue ranges offer a whole new barbecue experience with endless cooking options.

2010

Introduction of great heat distribution with low gas consumption, the patented and award-winning Campingaz® Low Flame Burner is launched on the El Prado™: it consumes 50% less energy than traditional gas barbecues and is now used in most Campingaz® Plancha models.

2006

The ATC (Asian Technical Centre) is opened to ensure quality and engineering support for all goods produced in China. 

Over 100 employees and inspectors are in charge to control the development process in order to reach top level quality.

2005

In 2005, Coleman was acquired by Jarden Corporation. Due to the growth of gas grilling in Europe, the Campingaz barbecue range was relaunched in 2014 with new 3 and 4 Series barbecues. Jarden Corporation was acquired by Newell Rubbermaid in April 2016 and Newell Brands was founded. The following year, the company launched its premium gas barbecue collection, the Master Series

2000

Combining simplicity, attractive design and great performance in an affordable gas barbecue, the Expert range remains the best-selling Campingaz® barbecue across Europe until  today.

1998

Development of the Campingaz RBS® Technology (Radiant Burner System). The RBS® burner works by deflecting heat within the firebox  for perfectly even heat distribution and no risks of flare ups.

1997

Campingaz® Italia opens its factory doors.

To expand on production capacities, Campingaz moves its barbecue production to the Italian manufacturing facility CGIT.

1996

In 1996, the company was acquired by the Coleman Company, who specialise in outdoor recreation in the United States. In order to expand on production capacities, the company moved its barbecue production to the Italian manufacturing facility CGIT in 1997, which produces the majority of thermoelectric and passive hard coolers. A year later, the brand name was changed to Campingaz.

1994

Launch of the first true Campingaz® gas barbecue. The “Ranchero” was designed in-house and manufactured by ADG in Lyon, France. It was one of the first gas barbecue models to be built and sold in Europe. Soft coolers are added to the cooler range

1977

The Isotherm hard cooler range is a revolution in keeping and carrying freshness

1975

Hard coolers expand the range and bring more comfort. DIY is launched

1974

The Instaflam backpacking stove is a symbol of a new modern design approach, the 1 burner stove Club 300 will follow

1955

Infamous Campingaz Bleuet® stove and the disposable cartridge are established and become the ultimate in lightweight cooking

1952

Lighting and 2 burner stoves are launched,making life easier for campers

1949

In 1949 the company is founded by 3 French engineers Colomb, Corlet, Sillon. The Bideon Bleu was the first gas cylinder created under the Camping Gaz brand, in Oullins (near Lyon). This led to the building of the Camping Gaz site in Saint Genis Laval, Lyon in 1952.  Along with the new site came a two-burner stove and lighting.  1955 saw the invention of the C206 pierceable cartridge and the Bleuet Stove, 1962 the company is renamed Application Des Gaz (ADG). 1970 Crédit Lyonnais, a French bank buys the company out and the plant expands taking on an additional 200 people.