In this exclusive interview with SGI Europe, Nicolas Préault, CEO of Tecnifibre since 2018, explains what the company’s targets are, how they want to triple net sales until 2025 and he mentions significant growth numbers for the sport of padel. 

Since during the interview the Grand Slam tournament in Paris was taking place, Préault always kept an eye on the ticker to see what the Tecnifibre players and favorites Daniil Medvedev and Iga Swiatek were doing.

SGI: How important are Daniil and Iga for your strategy as a brand?

Nicolas Préault: Athletes are key in the sport business. It’s even more important for us as we define Tecnifibre as a player’s company – inside and outside. It’s essential to have athletes like Daniil and Iga, who are more than just players; they are ambassadors and represent the brand values.

Who will be the next rising star? With Iga and Daniil, you obviously made a really good choice?

You are right. We have two top players in the top 50, and Daniil is currently number two in the world (number one next week), Iga is number one. Not bad in terms of efficiency. We invest a lot of time in scouting to identify new talents globally and have set up a specific plan with Lacoste called “Les Petits Crocos.” So we have very good team players between the ages of ten and 14, who we will accompany on their way to the top. Once they make it, like Daniil and Iga, we start specific collaboration.