Fila is looking to become the world's fourth largest sports fashion brand in five years, its top executive said at a press conference in Korea. The goal is to more than double sales to reach $3 billion over that time frame. Fila Korea also announced intentions to go public sometime next year.

Yoon Yoon-soo, chairman of FILA Korea and GLBH Holdings, the parent
company of FILA global operations, made his comments during a presentation at the Fila
2009 Global Conference held at the
Grand Intercontinental hotel in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul.

“We aim to increase the global sales of FILA to $3 billion in the next five years and become the world's No. 4 sports brand,” said Yoon, according to the Korea Herald. “We have secured a stable financial structure by completing
restructuring over the years. Becoming the No. 4 sports brand is
attainable,” he said.

FILA's global revenue is likely to reach $1.2 billion this year, a 20% increase from 2007 when Yoon took over the Italian sports brand.

According to JoongAng Daily, Yoon said, “When Fila Korea acquired [the Fila Group] in 2007, the firm was in an
unstable [financial] situation. But for the past three years we have
successfully solved the problems by restructuring, which included
repaying debts and venturing into overseas licensing. And now we’re
ready. It’s time to make money.”

The chairman added, “We really had various economic crises but have solved them. We are now setting up the platform to visualize our
future by building up a strong sourcing structure.”

Yoon noted that Fila had signed a partnership agreement with ANTA Sports, one of the largest sports brand companies in China, to fuel growth in the country. About 300 stores in mainland China are being planned as a part of efforts to increase brand recognition among customers.

“At present, the [Fila] brand in China is like a blank sheet of paper;
it’s nowhere,” said James Zheng, the executive vice president of Fila
China, according to JoongAng Daily. “In five years, though, we are hoping to become a leading sports
brand there, one that contributes to the global Fila.”

In the Korean market, the company will launch FILA SPORT, a new brand for outdoor apparels and accessories by next year. Collaborations with other international corporations, mentioning Honda and Firestone, are expected to aid expansion, Yoon said. He also noted that investments will be made in sponsorships of athletes to improve its image.
 
In March 2007, Fila Korea acquired FILA's trademarks for $450 million from Sports Brands International, a division of Cerberus Capital Management. This was the first time a Korean business to acquire for a global brand and the right to control a company with worldwide operations.