Russell Corporation's Spalding division has signed a strategic alliance agreement with Kangwei to design, manufacture and sell Spalding products in China. The agreement covers athletic apparel, footwear and accessories.
Kangwei has established a separate subsidiary, Guangzhou Ganwei Sports Goods Co., Ltd., to focus on the Spalding brand. Ganwei will launch Spalding apparel and footwear in June 2005. Additional plans call for Ganwei to open as many as 600 self-owned or franchised retail stores selling Spalding apparel, footwear and equipment by the end of 2006.
“Kangwei's experience with launching athletic brands and managing the business will be extremely beneficial as we continue to take advantage of the growing global popularity of the Spalding brand,” said Scott Creelman, president and CEO of Spalding. “Additionally, they have been successful with their Kangwei branded sports products and certainly have a tremendous understanding of the market in China.”
Founded in 1986, Kangwei is a privately held company located in Guangzhou and was one of the first companies specializing in sporting goods products in China. In 19 years, it has become one of the largest Chinese sports brands with more than 1,000 self-owned or franchised retailing outlets under the Kangwei brand.
