Donnay
Frasers Group · Belgium
Donnay is a sports brand founded in Couvin, Belgium, in 1910 that became known for tennis rackets, strings and bags. Today it is part of Frasers Group.
| Founded | 1910 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Emile Donnay |
| Origin | Couvin, Belgium |
| Owner | Frasers Group |
| Website | donnay.com |
What is Donnay?
Donnay is a sports brand that began in Couvin, Belgium. Emile Donnay started it in 1910 as a wooden tool handle co-operative with six employees, and the company built its own premises in the town in 1924.
History
Donnay made its first tennis rackets in 1934. By 1969 it was the world's largest tennis racket manufacturer, with output reaching about two million rackets a year in the early 1970s and Wilson as a major customer. Bjorn Borg played with Donnay rackets from 1975 to 1983.
The company was slow to move to lightweight graphite rackets and kept making wooden ones until 1984. It went into administration in 1988. Investors led by Bernard Tapie acquired it, and the Walloon government took ownership in 1992. Sports Direct International bought the worldwide brand rights in 1996, and the brand now sits within Frasers Group.
Products and positioning
The brand's core products are tennis rackets, strings and bags, and it is listed in the sportswear and accessories categories.
Why it matters
Donnay is a case study in how a racket maker tied to one champion struggled when the market changed, and how a heritage name can continue under a retail group.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Donnay from?
Donnay was founded in Couvin, Belgium, in 1910.
Who owns Donnay?
Sports Direct International acquired the worldwide brand rights in 1996, and the brand is now part of Frasers Group.