Pacific Brands

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Pacific Brands
Type	Public (ASX:PBG)
Founded	1893
Headquarters	Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
Employees	9000
Subsidiaries	Berlei, Bonds, Clarks (children's), Dunlop, Everlast, Grosby, Holeproof, Hush Puppies, King Gee, Mooks, Mossimo, Sheridan, Slazenger, Sleepmaker, Tontine and Yakka.
Website	http://www.pacificbrands.com.au

Pacific Brands is a major Australian company marketing Berlei, Bonds, Clarks (children's), Dunlop, Everlast, Grosby, Holeproof, Hush Puppies, King Gee, Sheridan, Slazenger, Sleepmaker and Tontine (underwear, shoes and bedding). It once held the Asian Pacific licence for British Knights footwear. It was formed as a division of the Australian company Pacific Dunlop in 1985. In 2001 Pacific Dunlop sold off the division. In 2004 the company was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange^[1]; the listing is included in the Australian stock market index, the ASX200.

The company's origins date back to the Irish company, the Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Company, opening a branch office and factory in Melbourne in 1893.^[2]. The branch was sold in 1899 and became a separate company, Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Company of Australasia Ltd, independent of the original Dunlop company. After several name changes, the Australian company became Pacific Dunlop.

1 The Company
2 History
3 References
4 External links

[edit] The Company

Pacific Brands is a marketer of Everyday Essential Brands. The origins of Pacific Brands can be traced back to 1893 when the business began manufacturing Dunlop bicycle tyres. Today, Pacific Brands is a leading manager of Everyday Essential Brands in Australia and New Zealand, marketing some of the most recognised brands including Berlei, Bonds, Clarks (children's), Dunlop, Everlast, Grosby, Holeproof, Hush Puppies, King Gee, Mooks, Mossimo, Sheridan, Slazenger, Sleepmaker, Tontine and Yakka.

Pacific Brands has substantial scale, generating over $1.6 billion sales in FY2006 through the commitment of your 9,000 dedicated employees. Pacific Brands’ participation in an extensive range of product categories coupled with its strong and diversified customer network underpin its position as a market leading supplier of Everyday Essential Brands to the Australasian retail marketplace.

Pacific Brands’ commitment to market leadership has provided it with number one or two positions across its major product categories in Australia and New Zealand which include underwear, socks, intimate apparel, hosiery, footwear, workwear, casualwear, bedding, bedding accessories and foams.

Part of the success of Pacific Brands can be attributed to the elite sportspeople who have supported its brands in the past, including Australian legends such as Sir Donald Bradman, Ken Rosewall, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Margaret Court and Mark Waugh. Current identities actively endorsing the business’ brands include Sarah Murdoch, Pat Rafter, Sophie Falkiner and Nicollette Sheridan.

[edit] History

1893 Manufactures Dunlop Bicycle tyres.

1929 Commences manufacturing of footwear with rubber boots.

1937 Enters sporting goods market with the acquisition of Empire Racket Co.

1960 Produces Sleepmaker inner spring mattresses.

1969 Enter underwear and socks market with the acquisition of Holeproof.

1971 Created Branded footwear business with acquisition of Grosby.

1982 Acquisition of Winestock is catalyst foe movement into footwear importing.

1985 Formation of Pacific Brands as a division of Pacific Dunlop.

1987 Strengthens position in underwear category with the acquisition of Bonds.

1990 Obtains Asia Pacific distribution licence for British Knights footwear.

1995 Enters outerwear market with the purchase of Boydex International.

2000 Develops branded footwear business with the acquisition of Clarks (children) and Hush Puppies licenses.

2001 Further develops key categories with the synergistic acquisition of Sara Lee Apparel Australia Business (including King Gee, Playtex, Razzamatazz and Stubbies). Pacific Brands acquired by CVC Asia Pacific and Catalyst Investment Managers.

2003 Acquisition of Kolotex hosiery and Sachi women's footwear.

2004 Listing on the Australian Stock Exchange. License for Distribution of Merrell Footwear.

2005 Distribution of Esprit. Acquisitions of Sheridan business including Actil and Arthur Ellis (Homewares New Zealand and Everwarm Survival businesses).

2006 Acquisition of Peri and Foam Products Australia (FPA).

2007 Established number one position in the workwear category with the acquisition of the Yakka group of companies. Workwear brands include Yakka, Hard Yakka, Can't Tear 'Em and lifestyle brands include Wrangler and Lee Jeans. Acquisition of streetwear division of Globe International (brands include Mooks, Mossimo, Paul Frank and Stussy).