Shimano has announced the sale of cycling apparel and accessories manufacturer, PEARL iZUMI, to United Sports Brands (USB), the parent company of Nathan, Cutters, Shock Doctor and other outdoor brands. Also a brand of Japanese origin, PEARL iZUMI became a wholly owned subsidiary of Shimano US in 2008 when it was purchased from Nautilus Inc for a sale price of US$69.5 million. No sale price is listed for USB’s PEARL iZUMI acquisition, but Bicycle Retailer and Industry News (BRAIN) indicate that Shimano’s European subsidiary, PEARL iZUMI, was also included in the transaction, as was the PEARL iZUMI headquarters building in Louisville, Colorado.
PEARL iZUMI sells a range of clothing and footwear for men and women in the disciplines of road, gravel, mountain and triathlon. vs. Pearl Izumi
OSAKA, Japan (May 5, 2022) – United Sports Brands (“USB”), a global leader in sports performance and protection products, today announced the acquisition of PEARL iZUMi USA (“PEARL iZUMi”) , an iconic manufacturer and retailer of cycling apparel and accessories. PEARL iZUMi will join USB’s portfolio of protective and performance sports gear sold under the Shock Doctor, McDavid, Cutters, NATHAN and Glukos brands.
PEARL iZUMi was founded in Tokyo in 1950 and entered the US market during the cycling boom of the 80s. United States, taking advantage of the technology and fabrics of the original company in Japan. Since then, the brand has become a market leader in cycling clothing in the United States and is widely distributed in Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In 2008, PEARL iZUMi was acquired by Shimano, a Japanese multinational manufacturer of cycling components, fishing tackle and rowing equipment. The brand has since achieved significant growth in the United States and internationally, driven by its core category of road cycling apparel and emerging categories such as mountain biking, casualwear and footwear. PEARL iZUMi has also become a leader in corporate social responsibility, with 90% of products now made from sustainable materials and a goal of carbon neutrality by 2025. As part of the USB platform, PEARL iZUMi will be extremely well positioned to capitalize on these tailwinds and continues to strengthen its attractive market position.
“This is an exciting time for PEARL iZUMi,” said Geoff Shaffer, President of PEARL iZUMi. “We have tremendous momentum and we have an incredible team dedicated to continuing to grow the brand to new heights. Shimano have provided significant support and guidance throughout their ownership, and although we miss being part of the Shimano team, we also know there is great future potential for the brand and we look forward to continuing. to grow our business with USB.
“Shimano has worked hard to support and grow the PEARL iZUMi brand for our retailers and the consumer,” said Nolan Moser, Vice President, Bicycle Division of Shimano North America Bicycle, Inc. “We believe United Sports Brands will be able to continue this growth and we are committed to supporting our retail partners throughout the transition to ensure continued success at all levels.
“We are very pleased to welcome PEARL iZUMi to the United Sports Brands family,” said Michael Magerman, President and CEO. “PEARL iZUMi is an iconic, authentic and much-loved brand. Their culture of driving innovation and developing best-in-class products – always with a “consumer first” mindset – is consistent with our strategy at United Sports Brands. We intend to continue this product innovation and leadership under our leadership. The addition of PEARL iZUMI, along with our running apparel and accessories company, Nathan, makes us a tremendous player in the outdoor space. We see great opportunity for continued organic growth and expansion in this segment of the market,” added Magerman.
PEARL iZUMi remains committed to partnering with major retailers in North America, including independent bicycle dealers and national outdoor retailers, to ensure the brand is available wherever bicycle consumers prefer. do their shopping.
PEARL iZUMi will operate with support from Shimano during a transition period to meet retailer needs and maintain business as planned.
BDA Partners and Squire Patton Boggs represented Shimano, and Dechert LLP represented Bregal Partners and United Sports Brands in this transaction.