Castore, the manufacturer of premium sports apparel, has today announced that it has agreed to acquire 100% of the shares of Belstaff, the British premium heritage brand, on a debt-free, cash-free basis. The deal, the financial terms of which are undisclosed, will see INEOS, parent company of Belstaff, make a significant strategic investment in Castore at a holding company level.
Castore and Belstaff will join forces to drive future growth across premium categories, capitalising on Castore’s direct-to-consumer and online retail networks and expertise, supply chain, growing global retail footprint and Castore’s roster of professional sports team partnerships.
Ashley Reed, chairman of Belstaff, said: “This is a union of two British brands who have come together through shared qualities of purpose-led design and entrepreneurial spirit. Castore is disrupting the sportswear market and has demonstrated phenomenal growth and resilience in recent years. Having witnessed their journey, we saw a unique opportunity to join forces and accelerate Belstaff’s transformation through shared knowledge and resources.”
Tom Beahon, co-founder and CEO of Castore, said: “Belstaff is a truly iconic brand with unparalleled heritage, and I have personally been a huge fan for a very long time. INEOS and the management team at Belstaff have done a phenomenal job in steering the company back to profitability following a challenging period for the retail sector. To have the opportunity to take Belstaff through the next stage of its growth journey is a dream come true and a huge privilege. We are also delighted that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS is investing in Castore which is a demonstration of commitment to our business and global growth ambitions and we look forward to working together to deliver on this vision.”
