New Wave Group takes over Uhlsport

The sports brands Uhlsport and Kempa have made a name for themselves with, among other things, balls, shin pads and goalkeeper gloves. The Swedish textile manufacturer New Wave Group also appeals to associations and clubs - and is taking over its German competitor.

The listed Swedish textile group New Wave Group is buying the traditional sporting goods manufacturer Uhlsport from Balingen. A declaration to take over 100 percent of the shares has been signed and the transaction should be completed by the beginning of October, the New Wave Group announced. Uhlsport GmbH announced that the takeover would make it part of an international group of companies.

The company in the Zollernalb district was founded in 1948 as a specialist in leather cleats and sells clothing, accessories and equipment for team sports, especially football and handball, under the Uhlsport and Kempa brands. With central warehouses in Balingen and Bisingen as well as subsidiaries in France, Sweden and Spain, the company sells its products to customers throughout Europe and worldwide, according to New Wave Group. Last year, Uhlsport had sales of around 67 million euros and recorded a slight loss.

The New Wave Group - which has agreements with around 5,000 clubs across Europe through the Craft sports brand - wants to use Uhlsport's strong and long-standing relationships with clubs, national teams and associations to be able to offer an even broader range of balls, shin pads and goalkeeper gloves.

The company announced that Uhlsport GmbH will retain its independence within the New Wave Group and its headquarters in Balingen. The management with managing director Melanie Steinhilber will also remain in the company unchanged and will continue to run the two brands Uhlsport and Kempa independently. The takeover is a great opportunity for Uhlsport GmbH, said Steinhilber.

Upon request, Uhlsport initially did not comment on the consequences of the takeover for the approximately 200 employees at the Balingen headquarters. Long-time Uhlsport partner Günter Daiss said: "I am putting the company in good hands and am consciously creating space for future-oriented further development."