The Acushnet Company is a subsidiary of the Fortune Brands Corporation that makes golf equipment and golfing apparel.
However, Fortune Brands announced on December 8, 2010, that it planned to focus on its liquor business, and would spin off or sell other parts of the company — including home furnishings and hardware, and Acushnet (which includes Titleist, FootJoy, Scotty Cameron, Knight, and other golf product brands).[1][2][3]
On May 20th, 2011 it was announced that a Korean group associated with Fila Korea, Ltd. and Mirae Asset Private Equity would purchase Acushnet for $1.23 billion in cash.[4][5][6][7]
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Founded in Acushnet, Massachusetts by Philip E. "Skipper" Young in 1910, the Acushnet Process Company focused on deresinating latex and supplying rubber to industry, and over time began to make their own rubber-based products including water bottles and bathing caps. Eventually, Acushnet Process became a manufacturer of golf equipment, principally, golf balls.
In 1932 the company sectioned into two divisions: Rubber and Golf, both of which became quite successful. The Rubber division was sold in 1985.
In 1935, the Golf division produced the Titleist golf ball, which has consistently been the company's most successful product.
In 1976, the company was purchased by American Brands (now known as Fortune Brands).
In 1985, Fortune sold off the Acushnet Company's Acushnet Rubber division, which was Acushnet's original business (circa early 1900s).
On December 8, 2010, Fortune Brands announced its intent to sell or spin off Acushnet and some other businesses.
Acushnet employs roughly 3000 people in the Massachusetts, making it one of the largest employers in the region. It is headquartered in Fairhaven, Massachusetts along side its Packing and Distribution Center about three miles (five kilometres) south of its original location.
They also have two golf ball manufacturing plants and an R&D Technology Center located in the New Bedford Industrial Park, as well as a Custom Golf Ball plant located in New Bedford.
Acushnet currently operates several facilities in Massachusetts, including the following:
Acushnet Company's primary brands are Titleist, FootJoy, Scotty Cameron, and Pinnacle.
Company Slogan: "The #1 Ball in Golf." [1] First played in the U.S. Open in 1949, Titleist golf balls are still the top-selling ball in the United States.[2]
Titleist is a high-end golf equipment manufacturer that was created in 1930's and is the most popular out of all the Acushnet Company subsidiaries. Titleist owes this popularity due to the sales of their golf balls. Titleist produces six different types of golf balls: Pro V1, Pro V1x, NXT Tour, NXT Extreme, DT Carry and DT Roll [3]. The Pro V1 series is the most popular ball that Titleist produces[4]. A new feature that has been added is the A.I.M. or the Alignment Integrated Marking. Titleist claims that this marking allows players to align their putts accurately and easily[5]. The majority of golf professionals use Titleist equipment. Some of these players include Adam Scott, Rickie Fowler, and Rory Mcilroy. [6]
Company Slogan: "The #1 Shoe and Glove in Golf." [7] Footjoy is a golf apparel company based in Massachusetts and founded in 1857. Footjoy was acquired by the Acushnet Company in 1985 from General Mills. [8] Currently, Footjoy is the number one seller of golf shoes and gloves in the United States. [9] A popular shoe series is the Dryjoys which Footjoy claims are extremely waterproof, comfortable and provide the stability a golfer requires to make a good swing. The most recent product is the Reel Fit, a golf shoe that Footjoy claims: "can provide extreme support using an innovative lacing design instead of using traditional laces". [10]
Scotty Cameron is a golf club designer who specializes in high-end putters. Cameron currently resides and has based his company, Scotty Cameron, in California. Cameron made his first putters using his mother-in-law's garage as his factory. [11] After working with several golf companies, Scotty would accept a deal with Titleist. Later, Scotty created his "Scotty Custom Shop" where buyers could customize their putter by ordering a custom paint fill, engraving, shaft band and grip along with other options. Players can also bring in their older Scotty Cameron Putter and have them repaired. Scotty names his putters after an area in California such as the Newport Beach and Laguna series.
Company Slogan: "Distance Doesn't Have To Be Hard." [12] Pinnacle is a golf equipment company located in Massachusetts that produces golf balls. These balls are marketed on their low price and the company's claim that it gives the player more distance. These golf balls include: Platinum Feel, Platinum Distance, Gold FX Soft, Gold FX Long and the Ribbon. [13] Adding to their reputation as a distance driven ball Pinnacle sponsors a long drive team.