Lafuma reported strong first half sales gains due to a combination of organic growth and acquisitions. Total company sales increased 34.6% to €116.5 million ($139.3 mm) compared to €86.6 million ($112.9 mm). In addition, the company’s backlog increased 8% over last year. Millet’s sales increased 17.5%, which will enable the brand to easily top €40m in sales for this fiscal year. The recently acquired Oxbow brand reported a 14% sales increase. Le Chameau sales increased 3.8%, but were flat without the recently acquired Georg Schumacher horse-riding brand.

Sales for the Lafuma brand were up 7.5%, excluding camping furniture, driven by a strong performance in clothing, especially the winter 2006 collection, and the Trail product line in footwear. The company was able to integrate Oxbow without any major set-backs and the new brand is already paying dividends. Net income growth out-paced sales growth with a 49.6% increase to €2.1 million ($2.5 mm) compared to €1.4 million ($1.8 mm) last year before the Oxbow acquisition.

According to Lafuma North America President, Guillaume Linossier, the U.S. business is reporting strong results. Currently, the company’s order book is showing a 10% increase in the Lafuma brand. Linossier said that the company took over the Millet business in the middle of the year last year and orders are already above what was budgeted. Le Chameau is 43% above last year. Overall, Lafuma America is reporting 57% growth for the year.

The company’s new group organization in France and internationally is progressing according to plan and will be complete by the end of the fiscal year. This will put the company ahead of schedule according to its internal five-year plan. Overall, Lafuma is predicting 4% organic growth for the 2006/07 fiscal year.