Altor buys Renewcell and starts Circulose
Swedish textile recycling company Renewcell, founded by innovators from Stockholm’s KTH Royal Institute of Technology in 2012, has been looking for a new owner to safeguard and advance its patented process to produce Circulose pulp from 100 percent textile waste ever since it filed for bankruptcy in February 2024.
Echelon acquires ThriveX
Echelon, which produces connected fitness machines and sells subscriptions for on-demand classes, has acquired ThriveX, a producer of app-controlled compression boots, sauna blankets and cold-immersion products. ThriveX serves both the B2C and the B2B markets, with gyms, hotels and other such businesses among its customers.
Lotto becomes first athletic brand to co-own a professional pickleball team
Lotto has announced a strategic partnership with the Brooklyn Aces, joining owners Kevin Durant, Rich Kleiman, Drake and Michael B. Jordan. The Italian footwear and sportswear supplier will become the first athletic brand in the ownership group of a professional pickleball team. Additionally, Lotto branding will be integrated into the ...
Sports fashion giant rises as New Era takes over ’47
New Era and ’47, a privately held premium sports lifestyle brand, have announced an agreement under which New Era acquires ’47.
R-Gol acquires Unisport to forge global football merch empire
R-Gol, backed by Innova Capital, has acquired Unisport from Nordic Capital. The merger combines R-Gol’s strong presence in Central and Eastern Europe with Unisport’s influence in Northern and Western Europe, aiming to shape a leading force in the football retail sector. With a projected combined revenue exceeding €200 million in ...
NYC-based investment manager acquires Outdoor Voices
New York City-based consumer-focused investment manager Consortium Brand Partners (CBP) has announced the acquisition of Outdoor Voices, an athleisure lifestyle brand founded in 2013 by Tyler Haney, also from New York City. This is CBP’s second acquisition, following the announcement of a majority stake in Reese Witherspoon’s fashion and lifestyle ...
Authentic and Beaumanoir announce partnership for Boardriders brands in Western Europe
Authentic Brands Group announced a long-term partnership with Beaumanoir Group, which will take over the former Boardriders business in France and license the Quiksilver, Roxy, Billabong, DC Shoes, Element, RVCA and VonZipper brands in key Western European regions, including France, Germany and the UK. Through the partnership, Beaumanoir, headquartered in ...
Authentic Brands Group to acquire Champion from Hanesbrands
Hanesbrands’ decision to shed its flagging Champion business, alluded to for months, will come to fruition in the second half of its financial year. Authentic Brand Group has signed a binding agreement to purchase the Champion athletic wear business for up to $1.5 billion. The transaction, expected to close sometime ...
Padel Galis founder invests in Auro System
Francisco Pérez Galisteo, founder and CEO of Padel Galis, has bought a majority stake in Auro System, according to the International Padel Cluster (CIP). Auro produces an attachment for pádel and tennis racquets that both helps corrects a player’s grip and dampens the racquet’s vibration.
Tennis-Point finds new owner
According to SGI USA, Fromuth Racquet Sports, a Pennsylvania-based racquet sports wholesaler and retailer, has reached an agreement to acquire e-tailer Tennis-Point on undisclosed terms to expand into the tennis e-commerce space. Tennis-Point will initially operate as an independent company and will retain the same name and contact details. All ...
Nidecker Group acquires iconic skate brands, expands legacy in action sports
The Nidecker Group has announced the acquisition of the skate brands Etnies, éS, Emerica and ThirtyTwo from Sole Technology. The deal sees Sole Tech’s founder, Pierre André Senizergues, remain CEO while retaining a minority interest in the brands. Under the leadership of Senizergues, the brands have become pioneers in the ...
Google joins Walmart in new funding round for Indian e-tail giant
Google plans to contribute to the latest round of funding for Flipkart, Amazon’s chief competitor in India, and take a minority share in the generalist e-commerce platform – once regulators approve the deal. Flipkart says that both Google’s investment and its cloud will help the company “expand its business and ...
Inter Milan changes hands
Funds under the management of Oaktree Capital have swept in to take control of the Serie A football club Inter Milan.
Imperial acquires Pukka, bolsters position in custom headwear market
Imperial, now under the ownership of CPC, announced the completion of its acquisition of Pukka, Inc., a custom headwear company based in Findlay, OH. Known for its designs in golf, action sports, and team sporting goods markets, Pukka’s existing management team and operational structure will remain intact.
Hydrow acquires majority in Speede Fitness
Hydrow, maker of high-end, connected rowing machines, has acquired a majority stake in Speede Fitness, according to CNBC. In addition, the company’s founder, Bruce Smith, will be ceding the post of CEO to current President and Chief Financial Officer John Stellato and taking up the post of Chairman.
Xtep selling K-Swiss, Palladium brands to Ding family
The purchase price of $151 million for K-Swiss and Palladium is 42 percent less than the $260 million that Xtep Intl. Holdings paid for the brands in 2019. Xtep said the K-Swiss/Palladium wholly-owned subsidiary, KP Global Investment, has accumulated over $100 million in operating losses since being acquired and a ...
Hanesbrands still weighing options for Champion
Senior Hanesbrands’ executives remain mum on whether the company will retain or eventually divest the Champion business. Still, they confirm the brand will likely reach its low-water sales point in Q2. The completion of an inventory clean-up and a return of the brand’s largely seasonal collegiate business should brighten Champion’s ...
SuperStroke buys Lamkin Grips
SuperStroke has acquired Lamkin Grips, a 99-year-old, family owned maker of golf grips.
Aqualung divests the Stohlquist brand
The French Aqualung Group, which specializes in the manufacture of diving and high-performance water sports equipment, has announced the successful sale of its Stohlquist brand to California-based Sport Dimension Inc.
Lululemon to close Washington State distribution center, cuts over 100 jobs
On Monday, Lululemon, the Canadian athleisure brand, announced its decision to shut down its distribution center in Sumner, Washington, resulting in the termination of more than 100 employees. The closure, confirmed by a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filed with the state’s employment security department, will see layoffs commencing on ...