Amer Sports’ owners make early IPO moves

It is being reported that “China’s biggest athletic-apparel producer Anta Sports Products is considering an initial public offering (IPO) of Amer Sports” – parent of brands including ENVE Composites, Suunto, Salomon, and Arc’teryx.

Multiple outlets are indicating that “preliminary talks with investment banks, for an IPO of Amer Sports, could raise about U.S.$1 billion or more.”

For wider context, the “Anta-led group bought Finland’s Amer in 2018 for $5.2 billion.”  With 12 brands, and 9’700 employees, the group sees it’s products sold in 88 country world wide.

Amer Sports is owned by an investor consortium including Anta Sports, FountainVest Partners, Anamered Investments Inc. and Tencent Holdings Limited.

The Anta brand was established in 1991, with Anta Sports Products Limited listed on the Main Board of HKEx in 2007(Stock code: 2020.HK). For many years the business has been principally engaged in the design, development, manufacturing and marketing of professional sports products including shoes, apparel and accessories to Chinese consumers.

The business has a brand portfolio including FILA China and Descente China, and, by setting up an investor consortium, successfully acquire Amer Sports in 2019.

Anta Sports aims to unlock the potential of both the mass and high-end sportswear markets., with the Amer Sports acquisition giving global reach with a range of premium, western market leading, brands.

In November the business saw it’s ESG work paying dividends with the S&P Global ESG Scores update “ranks the Company ahead of 87% of approximately 160 global textile, apparel and luxury brand companies, and in a leading position among its fellow global leaders.”

Lai Shixian, Chairman of the Sustainability Committee and Chief Financial Officer of Anta Sports said, “We are delighted that Anta Sports has outperformed in the 2022 S&P Global ESG Scores. The company’s scoring is significantly higher than its peers in a number of categories. This is a testimonial of the Group’s strong commitment and fruitful results of integrating ESG governance into its strategic development.”

“ESG and sustainable development continue to play a crucial role in the future development plan of the Company. Looking forward, Anta Sports will continue to create shared value through mutualism with various stakeholders, including consumers, eco-system partners, environment, society and employees, to promote sustainable development while shouldering our responsibility to society and the environment.”