Sporting Goods Manufacturing

Brief Excerpt from Industry Overview Chapter:

Companies in this industry manufacture sporting and athletic goods, including sports and fitness equipment. Major companies include Acushnet Holdings, BRG Sports, Callaway Golf, iFIT Health & Fitness, and Russell Athletic (all based in the US), as well as Amer Sports (Finland), Decathlon (France), Head (Netherlands), and Mizuno (Japan).

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Sporting goods manufacturers align their distribution, sales, and marketing strategies with the demands and trends of the sporting retail section. Major big-box chains have gained leverage over suppliers as they acquire smaller retailers that have fallen into bankruptcy. Large sports equipment manufacturers are increasingly selling products directly to consumers through their own websites, which allow them to offer lower prices or reap higher profit margins by bypassing retailers. The industry competes with vertically integrated retailers that manufacture and sell their own products; companies may also lose business to outlets that sell used sports equipment.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major product categories for manufacturing include other athletic goods which account for 30% of the industry revenue; gymnasium and exercise equipment at about 20%; and other golf equipment at 15%. Other exercise, health, and physical fitness equipment accounts for about 15%, and archery and tennis equipment also about 15%.