Dunlop Slazenger

Dunlop Slazenger was a sports equipment manufacturing company formed by BTR plc by consolidating the various sports brands acquired as part their take-over of Dunlop Holdings in 1985.^[1] The company is most recognised for its involvement in golf, tennis, squash and badminton through the Dunlop, Slazenger, Maxfli and Carlton brands.

In 1996 the company was sold in a management buyout backed by private equity firm Cinven.^[2] This arrangement did not have a successful existence, and Dunlop Slazenger soon found itself being run by the banks, led by The Royal Bank of Scotland.^[3] Under the banks management, TaylorMade-adidas Golf took up their option to purchase the Maxfli golf brand in 2004, following a previous licensing arrangement,^[4] and the rights to Slazenger Golf in North America were sold to the Slazenger Golf Products Company.^[5]

The remainder of Dunlop Slazenger was eventually sold to Sports World International in 2004, since when the various brands have been licensed freely.^[6]

See also

• Dunlop Sport
• Slazenger

References

1. ^ "Dunlop and BTR Reach an Accord". NY Times. March 9, 1985. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F00E5DF1E39F93AA35750C0A963948260. Retrieved 2008-09-23. 
2. ^ "British Investment Firm To Buy BTR Sports Unit". NY Times. December 20, 1995. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE3D91439F933A15751C1A963958260. Retrieved 2008-09-23. 
3. ^ Wootliff, Benjamin (February 10, 2001). "Cinven concedes defeat on Dunlop". London: The Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2001/02/10/cndun10.xml. Retrieved 2008-09-23. 
4. ^ Waples, John (January 5, 2003). "Dunlop back on form after golf sale". London: The Times. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/article808586.ece. Retrieved 2008-09-23. 
5. ^ "Dunlop Sells North American Brand Rights of Slazenger Golf Business to Cleveland-based Company". AllBusiness.com. November 14, 2002. http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/company-structures-ownership/6007969-1.html. Retrieved 2008-09-23. 
6. ^ Osborne, Alistair (February 5, 2004). "Game, set and match for Dunlop Slazenger". London: The Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2876059/Game%2C-set-and-match-for-Dunlop-Slazenger.html. Retrieved 2008-09-23.