The French brand LACOSTE has strengthened its premium position by acquiring French racquet and string manufacturer Tecnifibre.
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Tecnifibre has built an excellent reputation for its strings, and has started gaining traction with its racquets and accessories, such as its growing line of tennis bags, apparel and balls.
“We are pleased to announce the arrival of the French brand Tecnifibre into our group,” said Thierry Guibert, CEO of LACOSTE. Tecnifibre is an authentic specialist in the field of tennis with recognized know-how.”
LACOSTE recently made a big splash in the apparel market when it signed Novak Djokovic to a long-term deal.
Tecnifibre offers a range of strings, rackets and accessories for tennis, squash and padel, as well as balls in partnership with Bridgestone. Tecnifibre has a large presence in France through a specialized distribution network and is now developing its business internationally, particularly in Europe and the United States.
According to Jon Levey of Tennis.com, 13 players in the men’s and women’s main draws played with Tecnifibre frames, the most ever for the company, and the fourth consecutive year the number has grown. Still alive in the draw is Tecnifibre’s premium talent on the WTA side, Daria Kasatkina of Russia.
“This ambitious project will make it possible to make use of valuable synergies for both companies: the acceleration of international development for Tecnifibre and the development of technical products under the LACOSTE brand,” says Guibert.